Episode: 484

Episode Title: Two Ways to a Competitive Advantage

What are two things we can do to help every student develop a powerful competitive advantage? Let’s get practical, coming up next on The Perna Syndicate.

Ep 484 show:

Welcome to The Perna Syndicate! All week, we’ve been talking about how kids need a new competitive advantage comprised of academic knowledge, technical competency, and professional skills. So how do we, as parents and educators, help students reach their full potential in these three areas?

Here are two ways to start. 

First, we can help them explore earlier. At thousands of dollars per semester, college is not the best time to experiment. We can support kids’ career exploration in middle and high school by encouraging career-focused programs, internships, and other hands-on experiences that give them a taste of the real thing. The sooner they explore their path, the further they can go.

Second, we should be open to all postsecondary pathways. College can be a great option if your career requires it, but it’s only one of many rewarding pathways available today. And with the debt it can bring, college is certainly not the best choice for everyone. 

All options should be on the table, without stigma or prejudice, to allow students to make the choice that best aligns with their career and lifestyle goals.

To succeed in the new, ever-changing workforce, young people need a trifecta of robust academic knowledge, technical competency, and professional skills. And with our help, they can build it.

Tomorrow: How can we help kids explore careers when they’re afraid to make a forever decision? There’s a simple strategy for this, and I’ll share it on the next episode of The Perna Syndicate. See you then!