Adam Gonnerman

The debate around AI and jobs tends to focus on robots taking over, but the more unsettling story is quieter and already underway. In this video, we examine what's actually happening to the workforce beneath the headlines: not mass layoffs, but something that may be harder to reverse. If you're early in your career, managing a team, or just trying to understand where the economy is actually headed, this one cuts closer to home than most AI coverage does.

Some time back I heard about a young man who had graduated college with a technical degree and had gone over a year without finding a job. It's a tough market, of course, but I learned he failed to do something very important, which made it even more difficult. While he was in college he did no extracurriculars, like a computer science club, and he never actually worked. As in, he didn't do any work of any sort. He was a true full-time student with nothing else going on. That's a problem.  When I was in college my plans were very different from where I would up. My heart was set on ministry, and I took every step to prepare myself. I studied, sure, but I also went on a mission internship, did some outreach work with my college class, and supply preached practically every Sunday. I built a background in student ministry that went on my resume.  I have a friend whose daughter is following a similar path in her student career. She's studying natural sciences and has alread...

In my experience, there's a delicate balance between self-advocacy in the workplace and timing your career moves wisely. This balance becomes most critical when the question of a raise comes into play. I've seen firsthand the repercussions of ill-timed requests for salary increases and the subtleties involved in these high-stakes conversations. Understand Your Value, But Also the Company's Position Reflecting on past interactions with colleagues across different companies, it's evident that many don't fully grasp the importance of timing when it comes to asking for a raise. I recall a project manager and a developer, from separate organizations, who approached the situation without due consideration of the company's status, leading to awkward or detrimental outcomes. The Missteps Both individuals seemed unaware of the impending layoffs at their respective companies. This leads one to wonder if anyone aware of such a precarious company situation would dare to req...

In the ever-evolving landscape of employment, certain professions that once played crucial roles in society have quietly faded into obscurity. Draftsmen, switchboard operators, elevator operators, typists, stenographers, and countless others have become relics of a bygone era, casualties of the relentless march of progress. Today, we don't long for their return, but it's worth contemplating the challenges that these transitions posed to individuals and communities alike. Imagine a time when being a draftsman meant meticulously handcrafting intricate technical drawings or when switchboard operators deftly connected calls through a labyrinth of wires. Elevator operators guided passengers safely to their desired floors, typists transcribed volumes of documents, and stenographers skillfully captured spoken words in shorthand. These professions were once vital, providing livelihoods and contributing to the functioning of society. As these jobs gradually faded away, it must have been...

In today's job market, it's becoming increasingly important for employees to take control of their careers and maximize their profits. One way to do this is by changing jobs every two years. According to research, staying employed at the same company for over two years on average will make an individual earn less over their lifetime by about 50% or more. This is a conservative estimate assuming that your career will last only ten years, but the longer you work, the greater the difference in earnings over your lifetime. In 2014, the average raise an employee can expect is only 3%. Even the most underperforming employee can expect a 1.3% raise, while the best performers can hope for a 4.5% raise. However, the inflation rate is currently 2.1%, meaning that your raise is actually less than 1%. This can be sobering news, and it's unlikely that management will change their decision. Furthermore, loyal employees are often punished for their dedication, while those who jump ship ar...

The layoffs of late 2022 and early 2023 in the tech sector remind us that there is no such thing as job security. Even if you are a talented and hardworking tech professional, you are not immune to layoffs or company downsizing. Therefore, it is crucial that you focus on your career development, both to improve your employability and to increase your earning potential. My great aunt Mildred worked for the same company in Tulsa for 40 years, retiring with a good pension and a nice write-up in the local newspaper. That is a bygone era, where employees stay with one employer for their entire career. In today's job market, it is common for professionals to change jobs multiple times throughout their careers. In fact, a recent study found that the average worker stays at each job for only 4.1 years.* In my own case, the longest I've managed to stay anywhere in the past 10 years was 4 years and 11 months. That's no reflection on me, but on the turbulence that the media technology...

One of my great aunts worked for 40 years at the same company, retiring in the 1960s. Such longevity is practically unheard of today. In my experience, there is good and bad around someone being at the same company for more than a few years. Having been through a few reorgs and layoffs at companies, I am not often surprised any more at who gets the boot (including when it's me). More often than not being laid off isn't something to take personally. If you've been laid off as part of a larger reorg, it generally just means that there was a perceived redundancy or an 'opportunity' to shift work around and save some money. You are just a name on a row in an excel spreadsheet, and on that same row is your title and salary. Still, it is a little shocking to me when someone with years of experience with the company, and a solid reputation, is shown the door. It really shouldn't be surprising, because it really comes down to that salary. Someone who works their way up ...