Brilla Public Charter Schools’ Post

I took a career test in high school. It said I should either be a military officer or a cop. I laughed hysterically and decided to figure it out on my own. That's how it was in the '99 and the 2000 (and 2001 😁 ). Take a test, pick a career , choose a college and a major accordingly, do an internship, get a job, keep the job, retire, go to Florida for golf and beaches. Things didn't go like that for me. I went to college on a basketball scholarship. Had that scholarship revoked (new coach cut athletes she didn't recruit except for the seniors). Ended up running track at another college. Changed my major from journalism to English. Was gonna go to law school. Didn't go to law school. Worked with young women on a college campus. Got a teaching license. Taught in Mississippi. Worked as a fitness and sports performance coach at a start-up in Texas. Taught overseas in China. Came home. Worked my writing business full-time. Worked as a CSM in ed tech. Now, I'm giving everything to my own company where I speak, facilitate workshops, and write. There was no personality-test-generated route for that path. And I'm not special. There probably wasn't one for your path, either, and there isn't one for today's students, because LIFE DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT. For a while, I beat myself up for not just choosing something, keeping my head down, and seeing it through to age 65. Then I realized the truth. Life isn't linear. The job market isn't linear. Paths aren't guaranteed. We're not the same people we were 20 years ago. We change. Things change. The only thing we can expect is the unexpected. The art of it is connecting all those dots in your life--all the stuff you've done, all the jobs you've had, all the cool experiences that had nothing to do with work, your strengths, your weaknesses, your heartbreaks. No matter how disconnected it seems, it isn't. The strand connecting the dots is you, and you alone get to decide what success is. I wish somebody would have told me THAT my senior year of high school.

Saw a question on here asking what we'd say to high schoolers about "purpose". Here's what I needed to hear at the time -- posted in my feed, since I went way long with my answer and it felt cheeky to monologue at a stranger. (But it's okay with you, 'cuz we're friends, right?) ~~~~~~~~~ Your purpose isn't something external that you need to discover. It's MADE UP. By you. And it can be refined and redefined as you go. It borders on cruel how high school students are made to feel like you need to have your life's plan completely designed by the time you graduate -- and utterly unrealistic, since nowadays most of us go through several complete changes of career before finding the right fit for our specific talents and interests (if we're lucky and preparation meets opportunity). It's totally okay if you're confused. You've spent most of your life so far in a system that wasn't designed for you. The world is a lot bigger, more nuanced, and more interesting than this -- and your brain hasn't even finished developing. The people who bullied you in high school? They're going nowhere. Instead of trying to fix yourself or trying to be invisible, you need to double-down on whatever they were afraid of in you, because that weirdness is what makes you uniquely cool and valuable. You'll probably go crazy sometime before you're 25. That's normal; just don't do anything drastic. Keep listening to yourself, paying attention to what moves and compels you, and you'll figure it out. Until then, try a bunch of different things. Travel or work with no attachment except to doing your best wherever you are. Be completely yourself in public, find a way to use your talents and develop them, and you'll find places in the world where those skills are appreciated and rewarded. Of course, all of this is just reverse-engineering how it happened for me. But I suspect that these things are universally true.

New school year, new clean uniforms and new ways to start thinking about self and your gifts, beyond just an ATAR score. How exciting to start the new year with an amazing, engaged Year 12 cohort at John Paul College Frankston . Over our first of two sessions, we opened up a conversation around: - A process required to build a career: (what they need to do to get this started) - What are their character traits and how can they build upon these? - How can they feel empowered about the decisions they need to make around career choices and the building block process. - An understanding as to what are their skills and strengths and start to build these muscles. - How to develop and share a career story, al be it from the early years post the year 12 school gates.  - Build and maintain energy, balance, and a structure over the final year.    DM me, for more details, if you think this may be of interest in your school or your Year 11 or Year 12 child.

Teachers- here’s another way to support your students who are thinking about subjects and pathways. Free webinar, deets below ⬇️ #CareersInTheClassroom

Are you drawn to jobs that combine caring for others, creativity, and making a difference? If you said "Yes!" then early childhood education might be just where you belong. Wondering if this career path is right for you? Here are six things to consider. #EarlyLearningJoy #BuildingBrightFutures

Term three is on the horizon and in school-based career education that means decisions. Subject selection, HE or VET pathways, study destinations, gap year etc. For our kids it will feel like they're approaching a fork in the road with no map. They'll likely believe that only one road leads to success, so they'd better get it right. On 24th July I'm doing something a little different, a webinar for students. I'll share six ideas that will help senior secondary students think about their future with confidence. I hope to allay some fears and encourage optimism and adaptability. If you have 15-17 year olds in your life, encourage them to sign up. If you're old, you can sneak in too. I'll talk about: 🛣 Different kinds of post-school pathways. 🙃 Why it’s OK if you don’t know what you want to do. 🧠 Why it’s OK to change your mind. 💯 Why ATAR might not be as important as you think. 💻 How to research your options. 🤝 Who to talk to for help. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gcwsAkRF

If you're looking for your next beach read for this summer, grab your copy of "Crisis-Proofing Today's Learners: Reimagining Career Education to Prepare Kids for Tomorrow's World" by our CEO & President, Jean Eddy, to learn about how we as caring adults can ensure that middle and high schoolers are getting the knowledge and tools needed to to make informed decisions about their futures. Listen to audio excerpts (read by ASA team members) from her book here:

Dreaming of a career where there's never a dull moment? Well, if guiding and inspiring the next generation lights up your world, early childhood education might be your perfect match. Wondering if it's the right fit for you? Check out our latest blog post. In it, we lay out the six critical factors that will help you determine if working with little ones is where you belong.

Our summer program visits are off to a fantastic start! This week, Cassandra Franco-Camacho and Sabrina Zurkuhlen headed to Phillips Academy to chat with summer program instructors about starting teaching careers in independent schools! This is just the beginning of our summer tour. If you are interested in learning more about a career in independent schools or have a summer program you would like us to visit, don’t hesitate to reach out. #summerprograms #teachingcareer #independentschools #summerinstructors #hiring #chooseteaching

Embarking on my college journey, I found myself with dreams that unfolded beyond the idyllic simplicity of my small town. Little did I know that the college experience wouldn't unfold like a movie; instead, it's a pivotal chapter for shaping lives and forging careers. As dreams collided with reality, I realized college life isn't scripted; it's a journey of navigating challenges, making choices, and adapting to the ever-shifting landscapes of personal and professional growth. This phase is a canvas where we paint the vivid realities of life, understanding that success is a blend of hard work, resilience, and an embrace of the unexpected. Beyond grades and textbooks, it's about refining life skills, nurturing relationships, and discovering one's unique path. This revelation has reshaped my view of college life, fostering an appreciation for every moment as it shapes not only my career but my entire life's journey. #realitycheck #CollegeJourney #LifeLessons #collegelife #pathtosuccess