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

🎓 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 Nara Legrand:

Website

Facebook

LinkedIn

Email: nara@legrandprep.com

🎭 Background of Will Dennis

12th-grade teacher at a private all-girls school.

Owner of an improv company, Unscripted Productions, focusing on applied improvisation.

🤔 Journey into Teaching and Improv

Initially uncertain about career path; influenced by strong educators and theater participation in high school.

Transitioned from professional acting to teaching after discovering love for teaching through improv classes.

🌱 Improv in Education

Improv creates a safe space for all students, promoting social-emotional learning and growth mindset.

Focuses on accepting mistakes as opportunities for growth, fostering a supportive classroom environment.

🔑 Key Philosophy: Yes, and...

The phrase "Yes, and..." emphasizes radical acceptance and contribution, vital for effective communication with teenagers.

Encourages parents to validate their child's feelings while contributing positively to discussions.

🎉 Classroom Activities

Start with trust-building exercises to ease students into improv.

Use games like Epic Rock, Paper, Scissors to foster teamwork and support.

Incorporate content review through fun improv activities that celebrate learning through mistakes.

💡 Advice for Parents

Engage teenagers using the Yes, and... mindset to enhance communication and understanding.

Explore creative thinking exercises together to validate their ideas and feelings.

🛠️ Improv's Impact on Students

Helps students manage pressure and anxiety by recognizing that imperfection is acceptable.

Allows students to take risks and build confidence in a supportive environment.

📬 Contact Information

Connect with Shellee Howard:

Website

YouTube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Email: shellee@collegereadyplan.com

Connect with Will Dennis:

Website

Facebook

LinkedIn

Email: will@unscriptedproductions.com

🔍 Understanding Learning Styles

Different students have unique learning styles; assessments help tailor lesson plans accordingly.

Strategies should be diversified to engage various learners effectively.

🧠 Mindset Matters

A student's mindset significantly impacts their performance; strategies include mindset training and breathing exercises.

Test anxiety can often lead to performance drops, necessitating mental preparation alongside content review.

📅 When to Start Test Prep

Latest Recommended Start: Begin prep as soon as a student finishes Algebra 2 to reinforce earlier material.

Early Exposure: Encouraging verbal skills development can start as early as elementary school.

📈 Holistic Approach to Test Prep

Focus on both content mastery and test-taking strategies to ensure a comprehensive understanding.

Regular diagnostics help identify knowledge gaps and areas needing reinforcement.

💰 Importance of Standardized Tests

Despite a trend towards test-optional admissions, high scores can significantly enhance scholarship opportunities.

Many colleges still consider test scores for merit-based scholarships, making preparation beneficial.

🔄 Addressing Performance Fluctuations

Students may experience performance drops despite prior success; this is often a mental issue rather than a lack of knowledge.

Continuous support and mindset training can help maintain performance consistency.

🎯 Key Takeaway for Parents

Encourage Open Possibilities: Avoid setting limits on what students can achieve; with time and the right support, remarkable progress is possible.

Connect with Shellee Howard:

Website

YouTube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Email: shellee@collegereadyplan.com

Connect with Nara Legrand:

Website

Facebook

LinkedIn

Email: nara@legrandprep.com

🎙️ Guest Introduction: Ashton Tate

Ashton Tate, based in Franklin, Tennessee, partners with schools to promote health education.

He lost 120 pounds in high school, overcoming pre-diabetes and low self-esteem.

🏋️ Journey to Health

Initially wanted to be a SWAT officer; discovered his passion for health later.

Experienced struggles with weight and unhealthy eating while playing sports.

Developed a personal approach to health, focusing on maintenance and lifestyle changes.

💡 Health Education Focus

Recognizes a gap in health education for youth; sees it as a neglected subject in schools.

Aims to equip the next generation with knowledge about health to combat obesity and related diseases.

📚 Teaching Framework: FORM Method

Functional Fitness: Encourages regular movement and exercise tailored to individual preferences.

Optimal Nourishment: Teaches the importance of nutrition as both fuel and enjoyment, emphasizing balance.

Rest and Recovery: Advocates for preventative routines for mental and physical health to avoid burnout.

Multiply Maintenance: Focuses on setting health goals that align with personal life aspirations and routines.

👨‍👩‍👧 Parenting Tips

Parents often benefit from additional voices supporting health education; external validation helps kids engage.

Encourages parents to explain the importance of health practices rather than just mandating them.

📱 Resources for Parents

Offers a platform through their website (formeducation.org) with resources for families and educators.

Email support available for personalized questions and guidance at hello@glorytogloryfitness.com.

🏆 Impact on Students

Feedback from parents highlights that engaging content helps kids connect with health topics.

Promotes a holistic approach that can adapt to different children's needs and interests.

🌱 Community Engagement

Works with various educational institutions, including public, charter, and faith-based schools.

Encourages collaboration between parents and schools to improve health education in curricula.

Connect with Shellee Howard:

Website

YouTube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Email: shellee@collegereadyplan.com

Connect with Ashton Tate:

Website

Facebook

LinkedIn

🎓 Early College Preparation

Mia started with College Ready in eighth grade. At the time, she felt confused about planning for college so early, but now recognizes the value of getting ahead.

💰 Financial Considerations Myrna emphasized the importance of investing in Mia's education early to avoid stress and high costs later. She viewed the program as a way to save money in the long run.

🌱 Personal Growth and Leadership Mia initially struggled with leadership roles but gradually found her confidence. She participated in clubs, community service, and even founded her own club during high school.

🌍 Community Service Impact Mia’s community service began with small projects, such as donating art supplies in Mexico. It evolved into a more impactful trip to the Philippines, where she conducted a volleyball and ukulele camp for local children.

📚 High School Experience Mia described her senior year as the best, filled with leadership roles and memorable experiences. She learned that challenges, such as receiving a C grade, helped her grow.

🔍 College Decision Process Mia applied to several colleges but found San Diego State University (SDSU) to be the best fit, balancing academics and a vibrant social life. She highlighted the supportive environment and opportunities for networking.

💼 Future Aspirations Mia is considering a career in law enforcement and local government, inspired by her internship experience. She plans to apply for various law enforcement agencies after graduation.

✨ Supportive Environment Both Mia and Myrna praised College Ready for its personalized approach, emphasizing the importance of emotional support and encouragement throughout the college preparation journey.

🌟 Key Takeaway for Students Mia encourages students to trust the process and pursue what makes them happy, while also keeping their options open for the future.

🤝 Advice for Parents Myrna advises parents to be emotionally supportive and involved in their children's education, focusing on their well-being rather than just academic achievements.

Connect with Shellee Howard:

Website

YouTube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Email: shellee@collegereadyplan.com