LAUNCH Magazine

LEARNING, THE NEW CURRENCY OF SUCCESS

streamline administrative

Quantifying the value of

kindergarten to retirement.

each educational

That data could give

opportunity

educators unprecedented

By Edd Gent

To prosper in an era of technological disruption we’re told we need to become lifelong learners, and to nurture skills like creativity, adaptability and emotional intelligence. But there’s often little guidance on how to do this; navigating the bewildering array of educational options at our fingertips can be a daunting task.

What if there was a way to quantify the value of each university module, training course or career choice, and map how they would shape your skills and the opportunities available to you? That’s the goal of Washington DC-based non-profit Learning Economy, which is building a way to securely share data about our skills, education and work history using

blockchain, the technology behind bitcoin.

The system could tasks like verifying qualifications, but more importantly could track how people learn from

insight into the learning pipeline and provide people with personalized guidance on how to chart a course through education and work.

‘New gold standard’ That might sound like a tall order for a passion project started less than two years ago, which has so far relied on volunteers and financial support from two of its cofounders, CEO Chris Purifoy and chief Technology officer Jacksón Smith.

But Colorado’s Department of Higher Education and Broward County Public Schools in Florida, the latter of which serves a quarter of a million school students, have already signed up to trial Learning Economy’s technology. Both held kickoff events last month and pilots should be up and running by the end of the summer. The group is also

supply chain needs to be

medical record keeping

more substantial funding

fixed. Schools, employers,

and tracking the

with the help of like-

and governments all

provenance of food. And

minded education

measure skill development,

Learning Economy has

foundations.

but a lack of data sharing

adapted it to join up the

means the process is

vast trove of learning data

system they’re building

fragmented. Consolidating

languishing in private

could eventually support a

all that information in one

databases.

global economy where

place could be hugely

skills are the new currency

valuable but would also

and students are paid to

create enormous privacy

learn in exchange for their

concerns, so Learning

data. “We have this

Economy is developing a

mantra – what if

way to share it safely and

education was the new

anonymously on a public

gold standard?” says

database.

in the process of raising

Smith believes the

Smith. “If you can quantify

That is made possible

the value of

by blockchain, a high-tech

education…you can

record-keeping system

actually build a market on

invented to support the

top of it.”

cryptocurrency bitcoin.

The technology makes it possible to share records

“

The idea is that you can actually work with the AI to determine what your goal is in learning.

- Jacksón Smith

across a large network of computers, and changes must be agreed upon by the entire network rather than relying on a single central authority. Records are also protected by powerful encryption that makes them virtually impossible to tamper with and masks the identity of users.

A growing number of companies are experimenting with using this technology as a faster and more secure way of sharing information for applications as varied as

For the original story go to: www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200210-iseducation-the-new-currency

HOW TO WIN IN THE SECOND HALF OF YOUR LIFE The benefits of giving exfelons a second chance at a new life

By Chris Cavallini

I am an entrepreneur, and I believe in giving exfelons a second chance If you had told me 15 years ago today, I would be leading and running a fast-growing company, I would’ve called you crazy.

I experienced, shall we say, a rebellious youth. To put it more accurately, I

was not a good kid. I was

had committed three

arrested 17 times before

years earlier.

my 18th birthday and several more arrests

ON GETTING A SECOND

throughout my twenties

CHANCE

and early thirties. After

The police prosecutor

many run-ins with the law, I

had recommended 24

had to make a choice: go

months in state prison, and

to jail or serve in the

I walked into the

military.

courtroom that day not

I took the latter option.

knowing if I would walk out

Five years as a Navy deep

on my own free will. What

sea diver gave me a

happened next was

newfound purpose. But I

nothing short of a miracle,

found myself on the wrong

as the judge made a

side of the law again when

decision that allowed me

I went down the path of

to be where I am today.

selling illegal anabolic

Although I had pleaded

steroids. When I finally

guilty for multiple felony

decided to abandon that

charges, she decided not

life to build Nutrition

to send me to prison.

Solutions–I found myself

Instead, she let me off with

standing before a judge

a one-year probation. She

waiting to receive

considered the strides I

sentencing for crimes that I

took to better my life and grow my business and

recognized the efforts I

they’ll prove to be,” no

determining whether

had made to change for

matter how committed the

someone deserves

the better. That judge

individuals are to bettering

another shot comes down

chose to see the best in

themselves.

to one element–whether

me, despite my past

Having hired former

that person has accepted

felons myself, I can say for

full responsibility for their

I realized that not

sure that a mark on your

past actions.

everyone in that position

criminal record does not

would have been as lucky.

mean you can’t succeed

you can judge a person’s

Many people who

and make something of

character by the way they

experience the criminal

yourself. It is true that you

view their mistakes. Do

justice system will not have

can’t escape your past,

they acknowledge it, or do

the opportunity to prove

but those who have

they blame external

themselves the way that I

struggled with life-altering

circumstances? When they

was able to. That day, I

circumstances or a

accept responsibility for

vowed to do everything in

troubled past still can

the fact that they were the

my power to help those

create a productive life for

one who got themselves in

with a troubled past, have

themselves and the

that position, they also

hit rock bottom or who

people around them. Pain

understand that they

come from nothing to help

makes you stronger–and

possess the ability to get

them make positive

adversity teaches you

themselves out.

transformations in their

valuable lessons that you

lives. Here’s what I learned.

will not forget. I’ve found

founder of Nutrition

with the proper training,

Solutions, a lifestyle meal-

SOMEONE’S HISTORY ISN’T

structure, and support

prep company that

AN ACCURATE INDICATION

those with criminal records

provides healthy meals to

OF THEIR FUTURE

can become productive

clients globally.

circumstances.

We have a massive problem with incarceration

employees and thriving members of society.

and re-entry in America.

Chris Cavallini is the

For the original story go to: www.fastcompany.com/90312661/im-anentrepreneur-and-i-believe-in-giving-exfelons-a-second-chance

One in three Americans

THE BENEFITS OF FOCUSING

have a criminal record,

ON CHARACTER & VALUES

and 60% of those are

Criminal record or not,

To be clear, I do not

unemployed one year

give second chances to

after being released.

just anyone. I evaluate

Getting a job with a

those with criminal records

criminal record is almost

and/or a history of

impossible. As Rick

substance abuse on a

Wartzman previously wrote

case-by-case basis. Some

for Fast Company, many

acts and crimes do not

businesses see this as a sign

warrant a second chance.

of “the kind of workers that

The simple recipe for

LEARN, LIVE & LAUNCH IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE The chance to learn, a place to live, and a platform to launch

By JD Lee

LearnLiveLaunch™ (or simply LLL) is a non-profit organization based in Whitewright, Texas whose mission is to help individuals re-imagine their future through vocational training. The organization brings awareness to people who will have access to education, experiences, and life opportunities that will help relaunch them into a new and successful direction!

LLL services the greater parts of Collin County, Grayson County, and the North Texas region at large. The LLL curriculum is designed to help both men and women prepare to start a new career in their chosen field and empower them to reach for it. LLL offers a range of vocational programs in

fields that are in high demand for employment across the U.S. and has a dedicated staff of professionals, who all have real life practical work experience in each of these fields of training, as well as traditional education.

LLL also assists in job placement upon completion of the LLL programs. LLL will help with resume prep and the interview skills necessary to land the perfect job.

Kristi J. Avalos founded Accessology in November 1990. She has successfully owned and operated her own company for 30+ years and specializes in helping entities comply with disability regulations.

She has spent her entire career as a champion for the underdog.

Kristi Avalos / Founder LearnLiveLaunch™

Based on the vision set

In June of 2019, she felt a

will almost cover the costs

sense of urgency and

of the non-profit initiatives

forth by founder Kristi

pursued having the

and she will be able to

Avalos, with the support of

concept professionally

develop the necessary

the board of Directors of

developed. In April of 2020

business models to help

LLL, the objectives of the

during the COVID-19

those who are looking to

organization are as follows:

outbreak, she was offered

learn marketable skills.

an incredible deal on an

This became the

82.5-acre ranch, and she

framework for what is now

knew the ministry had

our Learn Live Launch™

learn about each

been birthed.

concept. The ministry

candidate for our training

By creating two for-

found its home site at the

programs. We invest time

profit social enterprises,

beautiful Bethel Ranch in

getting know them

Kristi believes their income

Whitewright, Texas.

personally. Who are they?

THE LEARN LLL takes the time to

What are their God given

family. Everyone in our

experiential learning will

talents? What are they

programs will learn to see

bring out the best in them.

passionate about? What

the best in themselves, so

They live these skills by

careers can utilize their

they can go forward and

working as an intern using

talents? What do they

follow their dreams.

the job skills they will need for their chosen career.

need to learn to follow that dream? How can we best teach them the skills

THE LIVE We believe that each

Whether they work on our Ranch or with a partnering

they need to succeed?

candidate in LLL training

company, we will be

They will also learn basic

programs will get the most

paying their labor costs

skills to help them in life,

out of the experience if

while they learn, and we

from budgeting their

they live it. Some

will supervise their progress.

money to interviewing skills

classroom style learning is

With hands on learning

to how to balance life and

important, but mostly

and mentorship provided,

each candidate will be prepared to live out their true passions.

THE LAUNCH Once equipped with knowledge and experience, we help prepare each candidate for the professional world of business by helping them with understanding proper business attire for job interviews, attitude in the workplace and tools they need for success.

As part of the LAUNCH program we set up job prospects and give them the physical tools they need for success. For instance, someone who wants to be a Chef and goes through our Culinary program may receive a set of Chef’s knives as part of their LAUNCH. Someone else may need help getting enrolled in vocational school or college to further their careers, and we may pay for their first semester to take their careers to even greater heights.

In the end, we give them the individualized assistance they need to successfully launch into the future they previously only imagined.

LIVING EVERY MOMENT TO SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY Taking advantage of life's opportunities wherever they present themselves

By Simon Jacobson

You first must recognize it, to seize an opportunity.

While some of the opportunities given to you in life are obvious, others are hidden. What does it mean that an opportunity is hidden, and how can you find it?

GENERATE SPARKS A physical analogy: Picture a matchbook. If the matchbook is in working order (i.e. it is not waterlogged or missing a critical component), every match contains the potential to generate sparks and light flames.

Although you do not see sparks when you look at the matchbook, you recognize the potential for sparks because you know the matchbook’s function.

You know that all it will

“Random” encounters:

take to extract a spark

difficult, but they are rife

from a match is the act of

with opportunities. If it

Every one of your

striking the match on an

seems like your challenges

encounters, even

appropriate surface or

have not offered you any

seemingly random ones,

igniting it with another

opportunities, change your

has a purpose. Every single

flame.

perspective. Ask yourself:

person whom you

What have my challenges

encounter, even someone

encounter in life — every

taught me? What strengths

unpleasant, is put in your

situation and every person

and skills have you

path for a reason. Always

— is like that matchbook,

acquired to deal with your

be open to hidden,

in the sense that they

setbacks? What good

unexpected possibilities in

contain sparks, which are

came from your

every one of your

generated through your

overcoming a challenge?

experiences. Every

actions. Dismissing any

Have your challenges

encounter, even the ones

experience as useless is like

taken you to new places

that ostensibly seem

looking at a functional

or introduced you to new

superficial, will offer you an

book of matches and

people? Have you, at the

opportunity to be kind, or

deeming it devoid of

very least, gained self-

be helpful, or to refine your

sparks. There is a kernel of

knowledge through the

emotional attributes. When

enormous value in

difficulties you have

you travel, even if it is for

everything, even stuff that

faced? Have you put that

business or pleasure,

is frustrating and

self-knowledge to work?

always be open for the

Everything you

unpleasant. It is up to you

Meetings: You might

spontaneous encounter

to look for the hidden

be through with your

that can change your life

opportunity, for that

formal education, but the

and the life of another.

hidden spark.

school of life is always in

Your work: Your job is

session. When you meet

more than an opportunity

hidden choreography, far

others, even for no special

to earn a living. The

richer than you can

reason, always keep your

people you work with, the

imagine, with sparks of

eyes, ears, and heart open

place where you work,

opportunities concealed in

to new opportunities.

and the actual work that

every step of your journey.

Maybe someone will

you do are suffused with

It is your role to uncover

mention a situation which

opportunities. What can

and ignite these sparks,

can open new doors for

your work teach you about

connecting the dots and

you. Maybe you will

being a better person?

the coordinates of your life

discover that someone

Can you use your work to

trajectory.

needs help with

fulfill your purpose in life,

something. In every

even if the actual work

PLACES WHERE

interaction look for ways to

seems like it is not at all

OPPORTUNITIES HIDE

be of service — that is

connected to it?

Your life is driven by a

Challenges: Challenges can be

where the opportunities are hiding.

For the original story go to: www.meaningfullife.com/recognizingseizing-opportunities/

THE 5 WAYS TO LAUNCH YOUR BEST LIFE NOW!

and tidy! That goes for

responsible for, we not only

grooming too! Hair, nails,

manage to get more

and skin should be neat

accomplished we feel

and clean.

better about what we are

After the launch into

doing. Selfcare can

your new professional life,

include eating well,

you can keep that mojo

getting enough sleep and

going by a few daily or

exercise, but it also should

Now that you are ready, it

weekly personal habits

include time for your

is time to launch your new

such as:

personal growth and

life and career

By Connie G. Roth

Launching into a new career takes vigilance. Not only should you have a great resume to present, but you also need to understand how to conduct yourself during the interview. Time to brush

#1 EQ – “Emotional Quotient” is achieved by

enjoyment. #3 Mentor – Most

thinking positively.

successful people in the

Speaking positively to

world have not one, but

yourself is the best way to

many mentors throughout

get to a better place in

their lifetime. They have

your head. Re-direct that

been able to speak to

“stinkin thinkin” to a more

them about their goals

positive program for

and challenges. You may

yourself. We ARE what we

find a good mentor at

consume!

work, at your place of

up interview skills!

Dressing for success is particularly important for that first impression.

Understanding the position, you are being interviewed for will help you decide what to wear for your big day. If you are interviewing for an agricultural position, dressing casually may be the way to go. When you are interviewing for a management position dressing up will probably be expected. When in doubt, always dress up more than dressing down.

And as a reminder make sure your attire is clean

#2 Time Management

worship or several

– We all have lots of things

organizations that want to

we need or want to

help people just like you.

achieve in a day, a week,

#4 Negotiating –

or a month. By allowing

Negotiating for the things

time for selfcare as well as

you want in life is an

for the things we are

exceptionally good skill to

acquire. You will always have things to negotiate.

You might want to ask for time off from work, better pay or to lower the cost on an item you want to purchase. A good negotiator will understand the worth of the things they are negotiating. To request an unrealistic term for what you want will be the best way to not get it.

Know your facts and use real data to get the terms to your favor. #5 Customer Service – There will never be a more valuable skill than customer service.

Understanding how to make your customer happy is essential for any successful business. Your customers could be your co-workers, vendors, or an actual patron of the company you work for.

Any personal relationship could be the benefactor of your understanding and knowing how to please.