Chapter 15: Career Development and The Role of Technology As An Agent of Change

Technology means many different things to different people. But over the course of history, it has always been a harbinger of change. The institutions charged with educating the masses are no different in this respect than is business and industry.

When one considers the role of technology in our culture, thoughts move towards devices: smartphones, HDTV, the newest laptops and tablets, high speed Internet access and countless other consumer goods. If we were to ask autoworkers about technology, they might have a similar initial reaction to the word, but they would also likely include concepts such as robotics, less overtime, job layoffs and a shrinking workforce. Like most parts of modern American life, the integration of technology into everyday life has downsides as well as upsides. However, no one can rationally deny the fact that “the times are a changing” and technology is one of the major forces that shapes our everyday lives.