Sergio Villa Imagine if college was a career path. Picture yourself on your first day of college as a wide-eyed freshman, wondering how you will ever balance your coursework with all the jobs, internships, and field trips to see the latest horror movies everyone keeps talking about. Your roommate seems optimistic that they will survive their time in college while you, the old-school, not-in-touch-with-the-millennials college freshman, know you are overwhelmed.
What if there was a school where your major wasn’t determined by your parents and family but by a career path that allows you to make a living doing what you love? A school that encourages you to delve into your passion and the future of the field and industry you are studying. Students and industry professionals can work together to create a course of study that works best for their careers. Even better, instead of having to move home, college students could travel the world doing the work they are passionate about. Imagine our world today and schools’ role in that new education paradigm.
The new paradigm is centered on inspiring individuals to be the best version of themselves and to positively impact the world. Parents and students alike are raising their expectations for what education can do and what education should do. We want every student to have the chance to pursue their passion, but we also want to challenge them to think critically and problem-solve on their own, just as they would in the workforce. In this way, the university becomes more than a place to learn the technical skills we need to succeed. It becomes a lifelong career development environment where we challenge, motivate, and inspire our students.
The goal as a society is to empower everyone, everywhere, to live their dreams and best lives. We must create an environment that allows students to think critically and embrace new, innovative ideas. We must also focus on soft skills, such as resilience, communication, flexibility, and collaboration, to ensure our graduates can compete in a global marketplace.
When they enter kindergarten, our students will learn from their teachers, classmates, and parents. The value of being able to learn from everyone else is something we must instill early in our students, and this must be emphasized in their K-12 education.
Learning to work with others, build strong networks, and work creatively in new environments will enhance our student’s experiences.
