Autonomously Employed

The ongoing discussion of the US Auto Government bailout may seem like the stuff of movies: embattled CEOs jetting about, high-powered government officials, billions of dollars at stake. But let’s not forget that amidst all of the back-and-forth between powerful business and big government, there are real people involved. Just today Chrysler announced it would be closing its manufacturing operations for at least a month.

Although the 30,000 plant workers covered under the UAW union will receive benefits and pay under the plant closure, it still brings to mind the effects of big business meltdowns on individual careers and lives–especially since these people did not make the decisions that got the US auto industry to where it is now. When businesses fail to adapt to changing conditions, they face extinction (a la Economic Darwinism. . .triple word score!).  That said, how are you expected to evolve as a surviving professional in your field if those above you are likely to die out due to their own poor decisions?