In this episode, I am joined by Rachel Sumner. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, one of the biggest benefits of doing this podcast is that I get to cross paths with those who I call “my people” and Rachel is absolutely in that group. Her energy, enthusiasm and commitment to helping young people prepare for the future is evident in our conversation and I am thrilled for you to hear it. During this episode, we talk about why we need to change the way we think about the future of work, how ambiguity gets in the way of decision making, why employers need to be responsible for playing a role in career exploration and the exciting new initiative that Rachel is launching to help our teens become future ready.
About Rachel Sumner
Rachel is passionate about connecting learners with innovative experiences that build employability and has spoken and published on these topics around the world. She is the owner of the website futureofworkready.com which supports young people and their families to become better informed about the Future of Work as they make those important decisions about life after High School. She is also currently serving as the Founding Executive Director of Ontario Tech Talent, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ontario Tech University, which is intended to fuel Ontario’s talent pipeline with job-ready graduates.
Possessing a Master’s Degree in Education with a focus on Curriculum, Training, and the Future of Work, Rachel is a qualified teacher and has served as a faculty member and leader in K-12, post-secondary education, and corporate settings. Nominated three times for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award, she is also a volunteer mentor for Lean in Canada and is certified by the UK’s Institute of Leadership and Management as an Executive Coach and Mentor.
As a Mum of three, one of whom is already in post-secondary education and one in the process of decision making himself she is acutely aware of the need for better education about the Future of Work so that our children not only survive but thrive in the decades ahead.
Episode Highlights
- Rachel’s Why
- Preparing for jobs that don’t exist yet
- Reframing the conversation about work with teens and young adults
- The critical questions to ask young people about their future
- Parents and educators need a paradigm shift
- The need for access to career exploration resources
- The ambiguity that gets in the way of decision making
- The responsibility of employers to help young people explore careers
- Rachel’s new initiative: futureofworkready.com
“Find what breaks your heart and that will be your purpose.” – Glennon Doyle
Resources
Special Offer for My Listeners!
If you are a loyal listener, you probably know that my oldest son is a high school junior who has decided that the college track is the right path for him. It feels like a million years since my husband and I were in high school and things have changed so much since then. We’re not really sure where to begin. But thanks to the folks at Your Teen for Parents, I feel like we have a partner on this journey. Your Teen is offering a comprehensive 8-week course for navigating the college process.
Beginning Tuesday, March 9th for 8 consecutive Tuesdays, experts in the field will share up to date knowledge about the ins and outs of the college process, from figuring out where to apply to paying for college and making sure our teens are prepared to launch. Your Teen has a fantastic list of experts lined up, including Jeff Selingo who you might remember from episode 25 of this podcast. Whether you are like me, with a high school junior ready to move forward or if your teen is just starting to think about what’s next after high school, this summit offers something for everyone. The course is called Destination College and the cost is just $49 for the entire 8-week series. And because you are a listener of the High School Hamster Wheel podcast, you will receive $10 off at checkout when you use the link below and enter the discount code HAMSTER at checkout. The summit starts in just ten days so register soon. Click HERE to register and enter your discount code.