Career Journey & Pivot

Nitin Gour shares his transition from a tech background to an 18-year career in finance before founding Bloomster.

He emphasizes that diverse experiences and a fast-paced environment shaped his approach to work and life.

Focus on Holistic Life Skills

Identified critical gaps in traditional education focused solely on academics.

Developed a holistic model covering social-emotional, intellectual, mindfulness, and physical dimensions with 25 key life skills.

Bloomster’s Educational Approach

The platform uses engaging methods such as comic-based storytelling, animations, and interactive courses.

Courses are structured in modules featuring real-life scenarios, knowledge checks, exercises, and workbooks to build skills like self-awareness, impulse control, and responsible decision-making.

Adapting to Technological and Social Change

Discusses the rapid evolution of AI and the unpredictable nature of future work environments.

Stresses the need for continuous learning, adaptability, and resilience for children to thrive in a future dominated by intelligent machines.

Parental Involvement & Early Preparation

Encourages parents to help their children build these core life skills early on, starting in middle school.

Recommends utilizing free resources and trial periods on Bloomster to get started with courses and interactive learning modules.

Connect with Shellee Howard:

Website

YouTube

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LinkedIn

Email: shellee@collegereadyplan.com

Connect with Nitin Gour:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Email: nitin@bloomster.com

Guest Introduction

Shelly Howard hosts Layla, a student from College Ready, discussing her research project on Alzheimer's disease.

Research Motivation

Layla chose to research Alzheimer's disease due to her personal connection; her great-grandmother suffered from it, igniting her curiosity.

Research Process

She found a research opportunity through the College Ready portal, which connected her with the Lumiere program offering structured research projects.

Mentorship Experience

Layla was matched with a mentor who had a strong background in neurological disorders and provided guidance throughout the research process.

Structured Schedule

The program included weekly meetings and deadlines set by Lumiere, which helped Layla manage her time effectively despite her busy schedule.

Research Enjoyment

Layla enjoyed the research, focusing on non-pharmaceutical interventions such as diet and fitness, making it accessible for Alzheimer's patients.

Writing and Publishing

Writing the research paper took about eight weeks. Layla plans to publish her findings to share her work broadly and bring awareness to the subject.

Startup Initiative

She developed a digital platform for caregivers and patients with Alzheimer's, integrating scheduling and dietary advice, furthering her commitment to the cause.

Empower Education

Layla is now the president of Empower Education, highlighting the community's impact on education in underserved regions, like Uganda.

Encouragement for Peers

Layla advises students to start with College Ready, emphasizing how it opens doors to various opportunities and helps discover passions.

Connect with Shellee Howard:

Website

YouTube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Email: shellee@collegereadyplan.com

🎓 Early Career Conversations

Start discussing careers with teens as early as 4th to 6th grade to explore their interests and problem-solving skills.

👨‍👦‍👦 Parental Involvement

Encourage parents to be curious about their child’s aspirations: “What do you want to do? Why that?” This helps in guiding them towards career paths.

💼 Importance of Real-World Experience

Teens should gain real-world experience through jobs or volunteer work. This helps them understand their likes and dislikes, building confidence in their career choices.

🚀 Sampling Careers

Promote “sampling” various jobs, even informal ones like tutoring or working at a pizza place, to expose teens to different environments and responsibilities.

🧑‍🎓 Resume vs. Experience

A resume with a 4.0 GPA is valuable, but employers increasingly value life experiences and problem-solving abilities over grades alone.

📈 Career Preparation and College

In addition to academics, students should engage in extracurriculars, internships, and community service to build a well-rounded application for both college and future jobs.

👥 Networking and Exposure

College is not just about the degree; it's also about networking and exposure. Engaging with peers and professors can open doors for future employment.

⚖️ Student Athlete Benefits

Being a student athlete can enhance job prospects. However, students must learn to articulate how their athletic experiences translate to skills valuable in the workplace.

📚 Book Recommendation

Colby Goodman’s book, “Start Now and 49 Other Things You Need to Do to Be Employed by Graduation,” provides actionable steps for students to prepare for their careers.

🌍 Real-World Skills Over Classroom Focus

Emphasize the importance of skills learned outside the classroom. Employers look for problem solvers rather than just job doers.

🔗 Engagement with Career Coaches

Working with a career coach can help students clarify their goals, enhance their resumes, and prepare for interviews to secure jobs post-graduation.

💬 Final Thoughts for Parents

Encourage ongoing conversations about careers, framing them as exploratory rather than pressure-filled, to cultivate a positive outlook on their child's future.

Connect with Shellee Howard:

Website

YouTube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Email: shellee@collegereadyplan.com

Connect with Rachel Mead:

Website

Facebook

LinkedIn

Email: advisor@enhancedprep.com