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Forgive the Xpostings. I just need a wide range of viewpoints.

I read and hear a great deal surrounding the _knowledge worker_, yet I
have been unable to figure out what is meant by the use of this term.
Surpisingly, or maybe not, "In the future" is the phrase that prefaces
many of these comments.

For example, "In the future, the knowledge worker will have to ___________
in order to ____________." (fill in the blanks)

So, I have a few questions.

1. What does the term _knowledge worker_ mean?

2. Is _knowledge worker_ another of the buzzwords for a desired type of
employee?

3. Are there current examples of _knowledge workers_?

4. How do you train/prepare people for the role of a _knowledge worker_?

5. How does one go about applying for a job as a _knowledge worker_?



______________________
Great Optimism,

Dutch Driver
Abilene, TX
Hm. Telephone: 915.698.7217
mailto:ddriver@cs1.mcm.edu

Dutch, here are my answers...
> 1. What does the term _knowledge worker_ mean? A person who works with
information as his/her raw material; a person whose job cannot be reduced
to a laminated "job aid"; a person whose thinking skills are constantly
used to create his/her "deliverables."
>
> 2. Is _knowledge worker_ another of the buzzwords for a desired type of
> employee?
I don't think so. It's simply someone who works with his/her mind, rather
than his/her hands.
>
> 3. Are there current examples of _knowledge workers_? Computer
programmers, engineers, anyone who serves a consultative role, including HR
specialists, financial people, marketing people, travel agents, etc.
>
> 4. How do you train/prepare people for the role of a _knowledge worker_?
Usually, college.
>
> 5. How does one go about applying for a job as a _knowledge worker_?
Most often with a resume.

I could be off-base on this. But this is what I mean when I use the term
"knowledge worker."

Emily Schultheiss
Why settle for surviving...when you could be thriving?

Dutch Driver asks about "knowledge workers." This is coinage of Peter
Drucker's dating to the 1950s, although I think the clearest and most
up-to-date articulation appears in his Post-Capitalist Society.

The expression has probably outlived its usefulness because almost everyone in
the West is now a knowledge worker.

While we're at it, I wonder if anyone shares my aversion to "knowledge
management," as if the contents of someone's head could be managed.

Cheers,
Tom Petzinger

Thomas Petzinger <tompetz@CLASSIC.MSN.COM> wrote:

(Hello Tom)

>>... The expression has probably outlived its usefulness because almost
everyone in the West is now a knowledge worker...<<

I attended a School-to-Work kickoff meeting in March of this year at a
local high school. A labor expert from the state asked a very interesting
question:

"What percentage of the jobs in state require a college degree,
given that in 1950 only 20% of the jobs required a college degree?"
Answer below.

>>... While we're at it, I wonder if anyone shares my aversion to
"knowledge management," as if the contents of someone's head could be
managed...<<

Some Managers can't manage what they do see, how can they manage what they
don't see?

Bob

PS It is still 20%.

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