Welcome students, educators, parents, and business leaders:

Welcome to the Emerging Global Neighborhood. It's a community created by the "Death of Distance"  -  a world-model resulting from the powerful reach of the Internet, the lowering of trade (economic) barriers and the growing ease (or access) of travel.

 It's a world where the lines separating our nations, industries, academia, cultural arts and even spiritual beliefs are increasingly blurred; where the forces of globalization roll like tsunami waves across great distances and "rearrange" shorelines, and the forces of multiculturalism "collide" up against each other like the grinding tectonic plates of the earth.

 It's a world that's already here now  -  whether we like it or not; whether we even realize it or not.  It's very much a "New World."

Young people starting their careers in coming years will be stepping into one of the most transformational vocation periods in history.

• New technologies, such as nanotechnology and the "Green Wave" represent multi-trillion $ industries that will create innovative, high-paying jobs we can hardly imagine right now. Many industries are already responding to new market opportunities by expanding the scope of their traditional job/roles  -  or creating new ones altogether. We're already seeing new and fascinating careers pop-up with titles such as: Retail Climatologist… E-Discoverer… Disease Mapper… Cyber Criminologist… Virtual Concierge… Localization Translationist…Genomicist…Neuro-Marketer…Cultural Curator… Permaculturalist...

... The list, frankly, is getting longer every day!

• New Business Practices are emerging that appeal to people's innate desire for passion, principle, profit and fun in their careers. From Conscientious Capitalism to Co-opetition to Social Responsibility Management, exciting new tools are emerging to position us for "Win-Win" relationships with business partners and affected citizens.   People, Profit and Planet.

• New neighbors  -  and business colleagues. New graduates entering the workforce will be facing the increasing likelihood of "Global, Office"  -  a German boss, perhaps, or a Japanese employer; Indian employees or South African business partners; maybe Brazilian suppliers and Indonesian customers; even, investors from Dubai. Successfully navigating through this cross-cultural minefield of "markets, merchants and maniacs" will require understanding (and even greater patience!) of business and cultural idiosyncrasies.

• New vocational attitudes. The work environment will never be the same. Increasingly, companies are turning to sabbaticals, "vacationeering" and voluntourism as they recognize their value as "productivity enhancers."  Likewise, employees increasingly flock to "vocationeering" providers who allow inquirers to kick the tires of new careers in real, on-the-job experiences. And, as the traditional loyal employee - loyal employer model morphs into a looser network of contracted agency, workers will continue to "brand" themselves in more sophisticated ways through blogs, social networking, internet marketing and a host of empowering, enriching tools.

This New World vocational invitation isn't without it's challenges, however: A 2002 statistically-valid survey by the National Geographic Society found that 50% of American 18-24 year olds could not locate New York City on a map  -  a disturbing stat for a workforce that will soon be enmeshed in a complex network of international partners - and competitors.

Those who are prepared, however  -  aware, informed and connected  -  will be able to take advantage of unprecedented career opportunities. To the degree that schools and universities, employers, civic leaders, and parents and students alike prepare for these opportunities, we'll all be able to enjoy prosperous careers and productive societies.

This New World is already here now. And there's never been a better time to to take advantage of incredibled new career possibilities  - or transform old ones.