I was invited to participate in a journalism summit recently where my role was to lend "experiential advice" to a college that is looking to develop journalism curriculum. The language of academia is interesting and funny. 

 

The language of media is interesting and once deeply immersed, words like cutlines, acts, tracks, header, mix and button (not to mention all the swearing) one can stop hearing the language actually coming out of their mouths. In academia, like government, acronyms become words. In my meeting I kept hearing "SME's" which translates to subject matter experts, which was my role.

 

About half way through the first day of the meeting I heard myself using a word normally associated with business growth, the word "scalable." In the context of this conversation, my meaning had to do with creating a curriculum where someone starts with simple, easy things and over time, reaches a goal where they can turn around and successfully land a job. Isn't the bottom line (another business term) for going to college all about developing a skills set that enables you to start a career where people pay you to do what you love to do? 

 

There are certainly many other benefits to going to college other than a demonstrable return on investment (ROI) such as getting a job. There is plenty of proof that a college degree puts you in better standing than someone who either never went or someone who didn't graduate from high school. 

 

The main takeaway from the meeting for me was that the school works to create a curriculum where a student can build a portfolio that is diversified (did it again) so future employers can invest (darn!) in that individual and vice-versa. 

 

As more and more of our higher education institutions become virtual, it remains vital for individuals to keep control over how they create a career of scale. I'm not sure the company supplied "ladder" is there anymore and I'm going to write about that next. Regardless, the importance of thoughtful decision-making, taking a few risks, and not being afraid to pivot is all the more important. 

 

Life is long, not short. Climb accordingly.

 

doug@knowledgewebb.net 

*Chantal de la Rionda edits this blog