So much to learn

What is a "mindless job"? An "entry-level" job? Is there such a thing as a job that requires no skill? A job that anyone could do?

You might say yes. You might say that scrubbing floors is not too hard, or that picking apples or brushing poodles could be done while asleep.

I say no. Every job requires skill. No job is completely accessible.

Before you can pick apples, you need to plan a healthy breakfast. You need to be able to get yourself out of bed, on time, every day. You need to select comfortable but sturdy shoes. You need to be able to receive and follow directions from your boss. Those directions may involve determining the amount of apples to pick. That involves, at the very least, counting, and at the most, determining their weight or volume.

You may need to select a certain quantity of each type of apple. Did you know that you could eat a different apple every day for 19 years and never eat the same kind twice? (http://www.sixwise.com/) They don't all grow around here, but there are 100 varities grown commercially in the U.S. Which is which? Could you tell them apart? I could not. You should not pick rotten apples, nor should you pick apples that are about to rot. Do you know the height from which you can safely drop an apple into a basket of other apples so that none bruise? I do not.

So apple pickers have to have apple skills. What about people skills? Maybe they pick all day totally alone, but what if they have to deal with other apple pickers? What if they need to help each other by holding ladders or sharing the work load? What if they have to work as a team?

Apple picking, brushing poodles... just think about those jobs. They are not no-skill positions.

Now, think about a young person you know. Maybe he is intelligent. Maybe she is strong. But maybe he can't get along with his peers. He picks fights. He can't shake the chip off his shoulder. He had a hard life. Maybe she is afraid of adults. Maybe she is argumentative. Maybe she is sickly.

How will these young people get jobs? How will they keep jobs, even ones that seem simple? How will they learn to feel good about themselves?

Who will help them to become successful? Will you?