the education situation with bradley rice

There has been the same song and dance for years in that the safe bet in life is to do well in school, go to college, graduate, and send yourself out into the world to find a job in your field of interests that will pay you enough to raise a family if you so choose. Bring on the car payment, the mortgage, and the credit cards! Don’t forget about those student loans. Does this really sound like a “safe” bet? Bradley Rice, founder and mentor at Talent Stacker, tried that path, but then he found a better way.

Bradley shared his story with me on a recent episode of The Wake-Up Call Podcast. He grew up in a small town, worked on his parents cattle farm, did well in school, and went to a local college. He found himself thrown into the corporate world at an accelerated rate after graduation. There was just one problem, he was lacking the training in the basic life skills that adults need to function in today’s world. Over the course of his education, no one taught him how to manage his health or finances.

This begs the question: As we send our young people out into the world, are we truly preparing them for success? The answer, it seems, is a resounding no. Our education system is failing to provide the crucial knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of life beyond the classroom. Financial literacy, physical health, and mental well-being are all vital components of a successful and fulfilling life. Yet, our schools are sorely lacking in providing instruction on these crucial aspects. As a result, many young adults find themselves ill-equipped to manage their finances, maintain their physical health, and care for their mental well-being.

Maybe it is time to reconsider what we believe to be an essential education.  Teach them about the things they really need to know and encourage them to take risks. Instead of getting a degree, maybe we should focus on building skill sets that are marketable in today’s world, not remembering the date of the French Revolution. We are capable of so much more than dedicating our lives to a single profession and mindless education. We can leave multiple legacies and have the freedom to pursue our passions as individuals. Just something to ponder.

“When you put your passion, time, and energy into something, it can turn out bigger than you expect.” – Bradley Rice

To Making an Impact,

Paul David Thompson