In 1977, a version of this poster hung in my guidance counselor’s office and was part of a recruitment campaign for college. It was bad advice then, but today, it’s just plain dangerous. Google, “Work Smart Not Hard,” and you’ll see just how far this idiotic cliché has wormed its way into our collective conscious over the last forty years. It’s repeated daily by millions of people like some timeless chestnut of conventional wisdom. Is it possible we actually believe such nonsense? You bet it is.

Consider the reality of today’s job market. We have a massive skills gap. Even with record unemployment, millions of skilled jobs are unfilled because no one is trained or willing to do them. Meanwhile, unemployment among college graduates is at an all-time high, and the majority of those graduates with jobs aren’t even working in their field of study. Plus, they collectively owe $1.5 trillion in student loans. $1.5 TRILLION! And still, we push a four-year degree as the best way for the most people to find a successful career?

The evidence suggests we’ve taken some very bad advice and tried to separate hard work from success. Consequently, we’ve become profoundly disconnected from a critical part of our workforce. The skilled part. The part that keeps the lights on. That’s just crazy. In a sane world, there should be posters hanging in high schools that reflect the reality of the situation we’re in. Wouldn’t it make more sense to promote Work Smart AND Hard?

So…with a little creative license (and no respect for the original), I’m pleased to present a new platitude with a different attitude. And if you’d like to help spread the word, I’ll try to talk you into buying one. Posters are $12, or as much as you want to give, and all proceeds go to the mikeroweWORKS Foundation.

- Mike Rowe

