Maria Flynn

CEO, Jobs for the Future and Contributor at Forbes

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Articles

The Nursing Crisis Seen In The Pitt Is Real. Here’s Hope For Solving It

1 week ago | forbes.com | Maria Flynn

Like millions of other viewers, I’ve been drawn into the new medical drama The Pitt. Set in the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital, the show centers on Dr. “Robby” Robinavitch—portrayed by Noah Wylie—as he confronts not only relentless medical emergencies, but also the everyday struggles of an overburdened healthcare system. One recurring theme: Robinavitch’s pleas to the hospital’s chief medical officer to hire more nurses.
Beyond The Zero-Sum Game: Worker And Business Success Go Hand In Hand

1 month ago | forbes.com | Maria Flynn

From the industrial strikes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries to the Occupy Wall Street movement, the relationship between workers and business is often framed as a zero-sum game in which gains for one side mean losses for the other. This long standing tension has fueled a widespread perception that to be pro-worker is necessarily to be anti-business, and to be pro-business is to be anti-worker.
President Trump’s Workforce Policy May Be More Familiar Than You Think

1 month ago | forbes.com | Maria Flynn

The Trump Administration has put an end to business-as-usual in the federal government, and the pace of change has left no shortage of government stakeholders off balance. But while the pendulum may be swinging farther and faster than it has in recent years, over the long arc of federal history, there are some similarities to approaches by past administrations.
Three Actions For Trump’s First 100 Days

Jan 16, 2025 | forbes.com | Maria Flynn

As President-elect Trump’s second inauguration approaches, it’s easy to look at the results of last year’s election as a sign of great polarization across the country. After all, the rancor and division that characterized the weeks leading up to November 5 were troubling to many of us who believe in the power of bipartisan collaboration and work on both sides of the aisle — and recent Gallup research indicates that more than three-quarters of Americans predict a year of political conflict ahead.
How Private Equity Can Contribute To The Public Good

Dec 9, 2024 | forbes.com | Maria Flynn

Today, as corporations increasingly realize that investing in their own workforces can boost the bottom line as well as employee advancement, private equity is becoming a surprising, yet welcome new player. In a growing number of cases, private equity firms are even leading the way on best practices to build quality jobs and a thriving workforce.
Will Economic Populism Be The Winning Ticket?

Oct 31, 2024 | forbes.com | Maria Flynn

With just days until the election and a dead heat in most polls, both parties are vying for the mantle of economic populism.
The ‘Sandwich Generation’ Is Trapped in a Caregiving Crunch. There Is a Solution.

Oct 21, 2024 | usnews.com | Maria Flynn |Nat Kendall-Taylor |David Alexander |Jarbas Barbosa

Earlier this year, I lost my parents. In their final months, instead of being able to focus on savoring our time together, our family was overwhelmed by the burdens of caregiving and the shortcomings of our health care system for the elderly. After suffering a fall, my mother, who had dementia, needed 24-hour care in a skilled nursing facility. But the facility lacked the necessary workers to provide the comprehensive care that her doctors recommended.
Don’t Repeat History: Now Is The Time To Invest In AI Literacy

Oct 2, 2024 | forbes.com | Maria Flynn

Over the past decade, a wave of digital transformation fundamentally changed the skills needed for nearly every occupation, from home health aides to architects. And in many cases, workers and employers weren’t ready. The rapid rise of digital tools in the workplace led to a “digital blindspot” where employers underestimated the technological impact and overlooked the importance of developing basic digital literacy skills.
More Than A Game: How Extended Reality Is Transforming Worker Training

Aug 21, 2024 | forbes.com | Maria Flynn

From virtual eyeglasses testing to immersive car customization, extended reality—which includes virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technology—is finding its way into many aspects of our lives. In my house, my 11-year-old daughter is frequently on her VR headset playing games with her friends. But the true superpower of extended reality (XR) in the workforce is just beginning to take hold: its potential for broad, efficient, and equitable career navigation and job training.
Gen Z Demands More Paths To Career Success. It's Time We Listened

Jul 22, 2024 | forbes.com | Maria Flynn

As skepticism about the return on investment of a college degree grows among young people, Gen Z is embracing a more diverse spectrum of career pathways. This shift is aided by an ever-widening array of education and training options, from traditional college degrees and certificates to apprenticeships and military service. Learners can now pursue more than one million credentials that open doors to both white-collar careers and well-paying skilled trades.