Best Foot Forward ’s Post

Another step towards building Beyond Ready Leaders

For the past few decades, there’s been a significant push for students to enroll in a four-year university immediately after high school. But according to a recent survey, almost 70 percent of parents would support their children entering the workforce right after high school. For #WIWTK, I had a great conversation with Mark C. Perna to discuss whether college is the best path for students to have successful careers. Join the conversation here: https://bit.ly/41qhkCQ

What Makes a Tier-1 College great? People would tell you it’s about the infrastructure, legacy, brand value, academic rigor, or what not. But if I have to mention just one thing, it’d be your peer group! The people around you make all the difference. When I entered CBS, I was most excited about its infrastructure. But what struck me the hardest was the people in my batch. My god, everybody was a damn overachiever. It teaches you so much humility! Somebody was a national-level swimmer. Someone was a class 10th CBSE topper. Someone was a YouTuber. Someone had won national-level case competitions in his 12th standard. Needless to say, everybody was a topper in their school (this wasn’t even a flex). And the first thing that comes up is the imposter syndrome! You feel you aren’t as accomplished as your friends. You feel that you’re not good enough to be here. But eventually, you feel motivated or, say, pressured to be better and achieve things while you see others achieve. You want to get those things too, and you just work hard for it. And in the process, you do get some pieces of success. But at times, you do fail to cross the line! But the funny thing is that you never fail! You just get 100 times better than what you would have been if you hadn’t gone into that rat race. You might still not be in the top 10% of the batch. But when you get out of your college, you feel that you eventually did achieve so much and improved so much. Though I don’t believe in this rat race at the expense of your health and mental well-being! But it’s the truth that you polish yourself by going through that rat race! Ps- I don't intend to promote a culture of toxic competition, but it is what it is, and this toxicity does help you to eventually grow as a person both professionally and personally (But undertaking self care and mental wellness becomes of key importance at these institutions too, cause in the end "Health is wealth" Follow Manan Jain for more such content🚀✨ #topcolleges #sscbs #du

🎓 Is College Really the Safest Route to Success? 🤔 In one of our latest blogs, Ty Holekamp, 18, a freshman at Texas A&M, says, "The college route is definitely safer." This statement begs the question: "Is it really?" Ty's optimism contrasts with a broader trend among Gen Z. College enrollment in the U.S. has been declining, with many questioning the value of a degree due to financial concerns and uncertain returns on investment. In 2022 alone, undergraduate enrollment dropped by over 4%. Ty's journey, inspired by his father and marked by resilience, showcases the traditional path. However, many of his peers are exploring alternatives like vocational training and apprenticeships. 👉 Read more about Ty's story and the broader debate on higher education: https://lnkd.in/dY4zzuPG Listen to his episode here: https://lnkd.in/d48FnXr2 Let's rethink the roadmap to success together. 🚀 #CareerPath #HigherEducation #Success #AlternativeRoutes #FoundingUp

I am pleased to share the transformative journey I experienced during my international exchange program at the UNCW - University of North Carolina Wilmington, undoubtedly the most enriching five months of my life. Undertaking this exchange with a primary goal of expanding my academic horizons in Economics, I was met with an ideal environment at UNCW. The university's world class campus culture became the backdrop for valuable connections and lifelong friendships. Engaging in cross-cultural dialogues not only broadened my worldview but also offered insights extending far beyond the classroom. Participation in events, projects, or extracurricular activities added an extra layer of depth to my overall experience, fostering personal and intellectual growth. From navigating a new academic system to adapting to a different cultural landscape, each challenge presented an invaluable opportunity for personal and intellectual growth. The ability to embrace change and uncertainty has become a cornerstone of my skill set, positioning me as a more adaptable and resilient professional. My heartfelt gratitude goes to the faculty, staff, and fellow students at UNCW, who made this experience truly memorable. Reflecting on this transformative experience, all the experiences, life lessons, and knowledge gained during my time at UNCW have shaped, above all, the person I have become today. Furthermore, they have profoundly influenced and continue to impact my academic and professional journey. Once again, I express my gratitude to UNCW for allowing me the opportunity to live the American Dream. #UNCW #InternationalExchange #GlobalEducation #AmericanDream #AcademicJourney #PersonalGrowth

Switching gears from my usual CMO Insights to share a slice of my heart dedicated to a cause close to me: Minds Matter Southern California. Leadership isn't confined to the corporate arena. It extends its roots deep into the heart of non-profits, mirroring the challenges and triumphs of for-profit worlds. Building teams, forging sustainable processes, and driving growth are universal themes. After 20+ years with Minds Matter, the journey continues to astonish me. The achievements of our students, supported by our lean yet formidable staff, tremendous volunteers and driven Board, underscore a powerful narrative of collective effort and transformation. The essence of our success? A united team's unwavering dedication. Witnessing the impact firsthand redefines what it means to lead and inspire. Sharing this journey isn't just about highlighting our accomplishments but to ignite a conversation on the multifaceted nature of leadership across sectors. #leadership #nonprofit

Unpopular opinion: I don't necessarily think the "gap year" is the boogieman that it's sometimes portrayed to be. That being said, taking time off between high school and college should be an intentional choice compatible with the individual student's long-term goals and plans. Too often, students "melt" because they get overwhelmed by the process, not because they're intentionally exploring or building workforce skills in other ways. Adulting is scary, and they're expected to do a lot of it really fast. These tips are a great start, and we also need to think differently about how we approach the way students get started in postsecondary education. I'm thinking about... ❔ How can we help students who do decide to go straight to college in the fall make a smooth transition, respecting their new autonomy without throwing them right into the deep end? ❔ How do we create a clear path for students who take time off to easily find and access attractive postsecondary options later? ❔ What supports can we put in place to keep those gap year, gap year-plus, and returning students engaged with the academic community so they stay in the know about how to access useful postsecondary opportunities? ❔ What are the ways we other students who don't go straight into college after high school? How are we unintentionally sending the message that they don't belong once they do decide to come back? #HigherEd #GapYear #YouCanComeBack #StudentSuccess #NontraditionalStudents #DoCollegeDifferently #FirstYearExperience #ReturningStudents #GapYearPlus #SummerMelt

Great practical strategies you can use to support young folx through if this is the journey they’re on✨

Ivy Tech’s Free Summer program is another example of how Ivy Tech Community College’s faculty, staff, chancellors, president, and trustees are leading in higher education for the benefit of Hoosier students and families, with the generous support of the Indiana General Assembly. Research finds students who earn college credit while in high school are more likely to enroll in college, stay enrolled in college until they graduate, and complete a credential or degree on time or early. Offering free summer courses is part of Ivy Tech’s commitment to increasing college going rates of young adults in Indiana. Last year, more than 4,000 high schoolers enrolled in free courses across the state. Indiana ranks first in the nation for students who are earning college credit in high school thanks to Ivy Tech. Our 19 campuses are working together to ensure more young people leave high school with a plan to earn industry-aligned credentials and degrees quickly and at a lower cost to them and their families. If you know a high schooler who wants to get a jump start on college, visit IvyTech.edu/FreeCourses to learn how to enroll. https://lnkd.in/gm3ek3zn

Up to one-third of high school graduates who plan to go to college never make it to campus - a type of summer learning loss known as the "summer melt." Here's how to keep college plans on track before classes start: https://lnkd.in/eW5uRrHn #NationalHigherEducationDay