When Work Isn’t Enough | Sharon Sobol Jordan | TEDxClevelandStateUniversity

Many people grow up believing that hard work leads to a better life, but having a job is not always enough to get ahead. In this TEDxClevelandStateUniversity talk, Sharon Sobol Jordan, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Cleveland, draws on her family's experience and the realities working families face today. She examines how we think about work, economic security and upward mobility. The talk argues that the right help at the right time can keep someone moving forward, and that each person can play a part in opening that door. Jordan's career spans the public, private, nonprofit and technology sectors. Source: TEDx Talks.

• Why a steady job may not be enough to get ahead
• Economic security and upward mobility for working families
• How timely support can help people keep moving forward
• Ways individuals can help open opportunity doors

NOTE FROM TED: TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdf We grow up believing that hard work is the path to a better life. But what happens when having a job is no longer enough to get ahead? Drawing on her family’s experience and the realities working families face today, Sharon Sobol Jordan challenges how we think about work, economic security, and upward mobility, showing how the right help at the right time can keep someone moving forward, and how each of us can help open that door. Sharon Sobol Jordan is president and CEO of United Way of Greater Cleveland, where she is leading the modernization of one of the region's most trusted social impact organizations. She uses technology, data and cross-sector partnerships to expand economic opportunity and upward mobility across the region. Jordan's career spans the public, private, nonprofit and technology sectors, with a focus on modernizing organizations and improving community outcomes. Before joining United Way, she served as interim CEO of DigitalC, founded OpenSpace Solutions, led Unify Labs, was chief of staff for Cuyahoga County and served as president and CEO of The Centers for Families and Children. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx