Advancing Innovation in Work and Learning  |  Dec. 2, 2020

A woman who didn't finish high school yet aspires to attain the college degree that always seemed out of reach.

A registered nurse who quit her job to help her children with virtual learning but hopes to continue working toward her bachelor’s degree.

A U.S. Army veteran who holds multiple certifications in a dying industry and could retire with his peers — but wants to learn and apply new skills in his final working years. 

They are all different — different needs, backgrounds, ambitions, motivations, barriers. Yet they all are looking for the same thing: education that takes them to their next step.

And feedback from tens of thousands of people like them provides a more complete understanding of how education leaders, government policymakers, and employers can help these learners succeed:

• Ensure their learning is relevant to their careers. The more relevant their studies, the more learners believe their education is worth the cost.
• Improve career and academic advising. The higher the quality students see in the advising they received, the stronger their belief in the value of their education. 
• Offer applied learning opportunities. Vocational coursework, internships, apprenticeships, and work-based learning all help bridge education and career.
• Make sure they finish. No matter what level of education — from credentials to doctoral degrees — individuals report more value from education they complete.

Want more lessons from learners?

AROUND THE NETWORK

News and updates from Strada and its affiliates.

UPCOMING WEBINAR  Through Strada Public Viewpoint, we talked to more than 25,000 Americans in 2020 about how the pandemic has affected their work and education. Strada Center for Education Consumer Insights will explore the critical implications of this research as we look to 2021 in a webinar from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9.

JUST RELEASED  “Long Life Learning,” a new book that casts a vision for a learner-centered ecosystem designed to create more equitable pathways between education and work, brings to life insights that author Michelle Weise and the Strada Institute for the Future of Work team developed through conversations with innovators and adult learners.

FREE RESOURCE  Emsi released a new tool, The Job Posting Optimizer, that helps companies author better job postings that attract candidates who have the skills employers need. 

COMING THIS WEEK  Braven CEO Aimee Eubanks Davis joins Strada’s Ben Wildavsky to co-host Season 3 of “Lessons Earned,” a podcast featuring innovative thinkers and doers seeking to improve the education-workforce system.

CAREER PATHS TOOL  Roadtrip Nation’s new open-access platform, Roadtrip Nation Experience: Community College Edition, which helps students find their career path, is now available to community college students and educators.

Lessons Earned

In our podcast, we explore bold ideas to help Americans navigate between learning and earning throughout their lives.

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About Strada

Our mission is to improve lives by forging clearer and more purposeful pathways between education and employment.

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On Purpose is presented by Strada Education Network. Contact the newsletter editor at editor@stradaeducation.org.