If you have listened to @GCounselman talk at TED then you probably realized that he is doing much more than promoting his new startup Fidelis Education. While Fidelis is focused on working with military to civilian transition into the workforce, what he is really working on is helping answer the age-old question: “How do I pursue my passions and still get a good job?”

Here’s what I see. A typical high-school student going into the military before finishing college then for the rest of his life falls into the category of a “non-traditional or alternative learner”. What is that? Someone who does not follow a manufactured K-12, then college, then job career path. Under the alternative category are many other niches like home school or incarcerated students. Among others, what is the common concern of all non-traditional learners? Answer: Successfully transitioning back into the traditional academic system, especially into the elite institutions.

I am so impressed with the support systems Fidelis is providing to their clients, but what makes their education philosophy relevant to this blog is their focus to “move beyond the diploma” which in terms means “to be relevant so you can get a job”. At about 11:15 in the video Gunnar lays out the 6 qualities that makes someone relevant. Take a look.

Is traditional schooling as a whole helping students “move beyond the diploma” in this generation? Answer: No. That means we need more guys like Gunnar who are going to help create new support systems, school agreements, learning opportunities, skill-building, and re-education working in niche markets to focus on education personalization and facilitate their growth to really do it.

  1. edventurism posted this