More than 1,000 high schoolers in classrooms around the country were asked about their expectations for working life in a survey conducted earlier this year for the Families and Work Institute. The study asked students how important each of a number of skills and abilities will be to their employers when they complete their education.

Their answers reveal an understanding of how pressured work has become. What do you think are the safety implications of these attitudes?

  • 75 percent think that being able to get the job done, even when the tasks are not well defined, will be very important to their employer.

  • 74 percent think that being able to work under pressure and meet deadlines will be very important.

  • 69 percent think that finding creative ways to do their job better or faster will be very important.

  • 68 percent think that being able to work with people who come from different racial and ethnic backgrounds will be very important.

  • Only 54 percent think that being able to write well will be very important to their employer.

  • The same percentage (54 percent) think having good computer skills and knowledge will be very important to their employer.

    The study also asked students who intend to work after their education what aspects of jobs are most important to them.

    Their answers reveal that the downsizing of their parents' generation and the movement away from a job-for-life have affected young people:

  • 82 percent say that “Having a secure job that I don't have to worry about losing" is a must have.

  • On the other hand, if jobs are not going to be secure, they want a job that is meaningful (84 percent), a job that allows time for personal and family activities (79 percent) and a job that is fun (76 percent).