I recently received a report stating that 33% of Iowans younger than 25 reported they would be willing to clock 60-hour work weeks to climb the career ladder. If you are curious, the national average from the same report was stated at 61%. Hmmm.

Another way to look at this finding is that two out of three young Iowans are not willing to work 60-hour weeks. Regardless, saying you will work 60 hours per week is one thing; doing it is quite another. And that doesn’t just go for young people.

I had a boss several years ago who enjoyed debunking the 60-hour-workweek comment some employees would claim. “Well, I see you getting here at 8 a.m. every day,” he would say. “So, you must be working till 8 p.m. every night and not taking any breaks to eat?” Then, the truth would come out.

I have a different take. I don’t personally want to work 60 hours per week, and I don’t expect others to either. I do expect everyone to give 40 hours per week to their job. If they do this, nobody in the company should have to work more than 40 hours. If they don’t dedicate a full 40 hours to the tasks at hand, and instead spend work hours on personal tasks or loafing, well, that’s where the trouble begins.

The study I referenced earlier also identifies 100 cities across the U.S. with “the hardest working young professionals.” Des Moines ranked No. 76 in the report, which stated, “Des Moines’ thriving economy, known for its strengths in finance, insurance, and agribusiness, offers a wealth of opportunities for young professionals. The city’s emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation has led to a growing tech scene and numerous startups, creating a dynamic environment for ambitious individuals.”

Amanda Augustine, a career expert at Career.io, the company that compiled the study, said, “These cities represent more than just job opportunities; they embody the ambition and resilience of a new generation willing to put in long workweeks to achieve their goals. While we recognize the dedication of these professionals, working 60 or more hours a week is not necessarily a sustainable or healthy approach for the long term. A more balanced approach offers a better path to success.”

Career.io conducted the survey from 3,000 young professionals to pinpoint which American cities have young workers who are more likely to work 60-hour workweeks. They claim the 18-to 25-year-old respondents were chosen from a geographically representative online panel of double opt-in members.

What do you think the results of this survey say about young Iowans? Send me a note and let me know.

Have a magnificent Monday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's past columns here.

CIVIC SKINNY
Campaign donations rise. Business Record subscriptions drop. Nearly $25 million spent on naming rights.

By CITYVIEW staff

Political campaign money flowed into the Iowa’s U.S. House of Representatives campaigns this past election season. All four of the House seats were up for grabs in Iowa’s congressional districts. Republicans were aiming to retain their dominance in the state, while Democrats were hoping to flip two of the districts, D1 and D3. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) and Christina Bohannan (D) in D1, Ashley Hinson (R) and Sarah Corkery (D) in D2, Zach Nunn (R) and Lanon Baccam (D) in D3 and Randy Feenstra (R) and Ryan Melton (D) in D4. As of press time, Republicans won all of the races, pending the results of the recount in D1, which is currently called for Miller-Meeks.

Coincidently, that was the race with the most money spent and contributed. In the D1 race, Bohannon raised $5,805,930 during the 2024 cycle and spent $5,017,985, while Miller-Meeks raised $4,760,276 and spent $3,617,267, according to their last congressional fillings on Oct. 16. Before the recount, Miller-Meeks won the race, 50.1% to 49.9%, ahead by just 801 votes.

On the map
Landmarks add to the community’s character.

By Ashley Rullestad

Art works. Architectural delights. Stunning homes. Monuments. Grimes and Dallas Center abound with well-known sights — historic and new — that serve as landmarks and add to the community’s character. They catch the eyes of visitors, spark memories in longtime residents, and embed themselves in the minds of those who use them as guideposts as they traverse the town. As street scenes change with the times, the landmarks remain steadfast reminders that the Grimes/Dallas Center area is one of a kind. This month’s cover story tells the stories of some of the most recognizable landmarks of the city.

The Brenton House in Dallas Center
One of the prominent early residents of Dallas Center was William H. Brenton. According to The 29th State Facebook page, Brenton came to Iowa from Indiana in 1853 at the age of 13. He became the first resident of Dallas County to enlist as a Union soldier to fight in the Civil War in 1861. He was wounded and granted medical discharge. Brenton returned home, got married, began farming and eventually, by 1878, became part owner in the Bank of Dallas Center. In 1882, it became Brenton Bank.

These celebrities were born on this date: Nico Parker, Isaiah Russell-Bailey, Imogen Heap, Kelly Oubre Jr., Tre Cool, Donny Osmond, Hikaru Nakamura, Jaren Lewison, Judi Dench, McKayla Maroney, Simon Helberg, Brian Bell, Felicity Huffman, John Malkovich

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to the last riddle: Why did Santa plant three gardens? SO HE CAN HO HO HO! - Gail Tomlinson, Carolyn Rogers, Vic Hansen

Today's riddle:What did the battery say on his dating profile?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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