Forgottonia at Work: Future Trends and Community Impact

“Vulnerable populations were already feeling the pressure” in an economy that saw a shrinking of middle-wage jobs… the middle class has begun to disappear, and fewer workers are able to meet their needs & the needs of their families with wages earned from 40 hours of work each week.”

–Illinois Future of Work Task Force, 2022

ON THIS EPISODE

We’re diving into another On Community episode, focusing on WORK and its impact on our sense of COMMUNITY. We’ll explore the relationship between work and rural America, how it has evolved, and what the future holds for Gen Z. We’ll also discuss how we can prepare for these changes. Join Mr. Brewer and students Courtney Churchill, Brayden Fyffe, Klaire Lingenfelter, Layla Giles, and Jackson Gibboney as we explore the future of work in Forgottonia.

As we mention in each “On Community” episode, this discussion is crucial because it addresses a problem shared by rural towns throughout Forgottonia: the problem of COMMUNITY. By reflecting on Dr. Hallwas’s work, we hope to emphasize the essential role our local history and heritage play in fostering community, no matter which town we hail from.

We invite listeners to reflect on these challenges with us. Please share your thoughts and questions about this episode on our Forgottonia Facebook page and/or website.

OBJECTIVES

• Explore the historical context of work in Forgottonia (spotlighting the work experiences of the great poet Carl Sandburg).
• Examine current challenges & opportunities (especially post-pandemic, highlighting opportunities emerging in today’s workforce)
• Understand the impact on community (how changes in work patterns are affecting the sense of community in rural areas)
• Propose solutions & future directions (Recommendations for improving job quality & creating more innovative career opportunities in rural Forgottonia)

RESOURCES

• John Hallwas Webpage (Further info on Dr. Hallwas, his books, and more)
• On Community: A Crucial Issue, a Small Town, and a Writer’s Experience (Amazon Book Page)
• Western Illinois Archives (Where you can access hundreds of Dr. Hallwas’s articles, lectures, and books)
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports on job growth and challenges.
• Navigating Challenges Faced by Rural American Job Seekers: A Comprehensive Guide
• Illinois Future of Work Task Force report (2022).
• Article – “Companies are learning that Gen Z isn’t the easiest generation to work with”
• Evaluating the impact of broadband access and internet use in a small underserved rural community
• Many in Gen Z ditch colleges for trade schools. Meet the ‘toolbelt generation’
• “Mag” by Carl Sandburg
• “Working in America: The Best of Studs Terkel’s Working Tapes” by Studs Terkel
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decisions and policies on broadband and net neutrality.

“By remembering the past of our communities and identifying with its people, we contribute to its emerging future — we can avoid alienation, deepen our true identity, & rescue ourselves from the meaninglessness that plagues so many contemporary Americans.”

John Hallwas, On Community: A Crucial Issue, a Small Town, and a Writer’s Experience