I just spent the day meeting with up-and-coming teen leaders from various high schools around Kansas City. Two things to note: 1) kids are a LOT more business savvy than I was when I was seventeen and 2) several of them called me “sir”. So, it’s official. I’m old.
Every year around this time, KC corporate muckety-mucks all clamor to meet some of the area’s (soon-to-be) movers and shakers. Because some of these teens are hard-pressed to choose which Ivy League school to attend, there’s a sense of urgency to pass out your company’s business card. And it’s all thanks to the efforts of the 20/20 Leadership organization … sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation.
When I was a high school senior, I was more interested in attending an upcoming Wham! concert than I was in attending college. These teens, however, are well-educated, well-poised and well-versed in any number of topics. I’m constantly amazed at their ability to look you straight in the eye, give you a firm handshake and then schmooze like there’s no tomorrow.
PlattForm has been involved with 20/20 Leadership for four years now and it’s been interesting to watch its evolution. Since 1993, 20/20 Leadership has helped teens develop all sorts of career-enhancing skills. Their motto? Developing leaders for a lifetime! Since we’re one of the only ad agencies touting our wares at this event, kids occasionally flock to us. And since kids have the attention spans of gnats, I have mere nanoseconds to dazzle them. They absolutely, positively do NOT want to hear that “I fell in to” advertising. They want to know I got the job because of brains, not moxie.
A few years ago, one student quizzed me about internship possibilities. I froze faster than a crank case in February. The questions came fast and furious and I was hard-pressed to answer them. Now, I’m smart enough to bring along an HR representative to dole out PForm’s who/what/when/where/why schpeel. I remember asking why the student was so interested in internships. A brilliant stall tactic on my part! The student coolly replied, “Today’s interns are tomorrow’s junior executives!”
Oh really?
I immediately said, “Well, in the immortal words of George Michael … you gotta have faith!”
The student replied, “Who’s George Michael?”
Mercifully, he scampered to the next booth before I had a chance to hurl my Walkman at him. Ah, youth.