How to graduate college with a job you love & less debt: Jullien Gordon at TEDxMidwest

Summary

The speaker introduces the concept of 'driving school for life,' emphasizing the importance of both book smarts and street smarts in navigating life's challenges. He shares his personal journey, from excelling in school to realizing the necessity of a holistic approach to education. The speech challenges traditional views on higher education, suggesting that the 'Easy Street' narrative is outdated. Instead, he proposes focusing on personal, intellectual, social, and financial capital to develop street smarts and truly succeed in life.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The concept of 'driving school for life' emphasizes the importance of taking control of one's life and education, suggesting an alternative path to traditional education.
• 🧠 The speaker highlights the need for both 'book smarts' and 'street smarts' to navigate life's uncertainties and changes, emphasizing the balance between academic knowledge and practical wisdom.
• 🏆 Despite excelling academically, the speaker's life took a turn when his car was stolen, leading him to rethink his approach to life and success.
• 🚀 The speaker advocates for being in the 'driver's seat' of one's life, encouraging individuals to take active control rather than passively following others' paths.
• 🎓 The traditional narrative that higher education leads directly to success is challenged, with the speaker pointing out that many graduates struggle to find employment.
• 🏫 The speaker questions the value of higher education, suggesting that it may not always lead to the desired outcomes and that alternative measures of success should be considered.
• 💼 The speaker introduces the idea of a new '4.0' that matters, focusing on personal capital, intellectual capital, social capital, and financial capital as key to developing street smarts.
• 💡 Personal capital is defined as self-awareness, strengths, purpose, passion, skills, entrepreneurial spirit, and problem-solving ability.
• 📚 Intellectual capital is expertise in a subject or skill, which may not necessarily align with one's college major.
• 🤝 Social capital involves networking and relationships, with the speaker emphasizing the importance of connecting with mentors and professionals in one's field.
• 💰 Financial capital is the intersection of intellectual knowledge and social connections, leading to financial opportunities and success.

Q & A

What is the concept of 'driving school for life' mentioned in the script?

The concept of 'driving school for life' refers to an alternative path to life and education, emphasizing the need for both book smarts and street smarts to navigate life's uncertainties and challenges. It's about taking control of one's life, designing, driving, and maintaining it rather than being a passive observer or following someone else's path.

Why did the speaker buy a Mercedes-Benz at the age of 18?

The speaker bought a Mercedes-Benz at the age of 18 to show his parents that he was on a path to success, similar to them. However, the car was stolen at gunpoint, which served as a wake-up call and a reset moment in his life, prompting him to rethink his approach to success.

What is the speaker's perspective on the traditional narrative of higher education leading to success?

The speaker challenges the traditional narrative that higher education is the only path to success. He argues that this narrative is outdated and does not necessarily lead to employment or fulfillment, as evidenced by the fact that many graduates are not immediately hired.

What is the speaker's view on the 'Easy Street' mentality?

The speaker believes that the 'Easy Street' mentality, which suggests that good grades and a good college lead to a good job and a successful life, is flawed. He suggests that this path is not as straightforward or guaranteed as it is often portrayed.

What does the speaker mean by 'backseat driving through life'?

The phrase 'backseat driving through life' refers to allowing others to control or influence one's life decisions rather than taking charge and making choices independently. The speaker encourages individuals to be in the 'driver's seat' of their own lives.

What are the four types of capital the speaker discusses?

The speaker discusses four types of capital: Personal Capital (self-awareness, strengths, purpose, passion), Intellectual Capital (expertise in a subject or skill), Social Capital (networks of mentors, professors, teachers, etc.), and Financial Capital (the intersection of what you know and who knows you).

Why does the speaker say that a 4.0 GPA may not guarantee success in the real world?

The speaker argues that a 4.0 GPA, while impressive academically, does not necessarily translate to real-world success. He emphasizes the importance of developing street smarts and practical skills that can be applied in various life situations beyond academic achievement.

What is the speaker's advice on choosing a college?

The speaker advises choosing a college based on its intellectual, social, and financial capital. This means considering the quality of education, the networks available through alumni and student groups, and the financial support and opportunities provided by the institution.

How does the speaker view the role of teachers in the context of higher education?

The speaker suggests that teachers play a crucial role in guiding students, but they must also be able to answer the question of why a student should go to college. He implies that teachers should encourage students to think critically about their educational paths and the value of a college degree.

What is the speaker's final message to the audience?

The speaker's final message is to encourage the audience to take control of their own paths, to invest in their personal, intellectual, social, and financial capital, and to not simply follow the traditional path of higher education without questioning its value and relevance to their individual goals and aspirations.