The number one thing we hear from entrepreneurs and artists and creatives when we ask them about their education is about how irrelevant it was to their story. Sure, some folks had wonderful educational experiences, but for many their experiences left them feeling ill prepared for life and their careers. So, we wanted to create a space for folks to share their experiences and ideas for how we can improve our educational system.

Sally Velazquez

I would require students to take financial literacy classes in high school, which would make a big difference in our education system. Students should have the tools needed to step into the real world armed with knowledge about budgeting, saving, and investing. I became a business manager to help empower my clients to make smart financial decisions with their money. Knowledge about personal finance empowers individuals to take control of their financial well-being. Students who understand concepts like interest rates, taxes, financial planning, and signing a rental lease (etc.) are more likely to make responsible financial decisions throughout their lives. Read more>>

Alex Almaraz

The way I would change the educational systems is by educating our students on topics or subjects that they’ll likely use in the real world. Most of our education system still goes over many things that aren’t relevant to the real world. Everything is moving digitally, students no long have skillsets that they can actually learn to make them income. Because unfortunately the system is taught us that if we don’t learn skills we just remain employees but if people learn skillsets they with the hard work they put in can earn more income, time, energy, & freedom. Read more>>

YI LIN YE

I believe that my undergrad system for visual communication students is not fulfilling their top potential. The program seems to be structured from 30-50 years ago, and there in the faculty department, there are no newcomers in the school. We are taking knowledge from an older generation, not to be agisted and stuck up, but for “Visual Communication”. The only route one could take after graduation is in the creative industry, which is such a fast-moving industry, where everything is fast-paced, what was astonishing and eye-catching is almost replaced immediately after another wave of cool trends and hashtags. As a designer, it is important to have strategic thinking and a conceptual brainstorming process, but the reality is, that if you are unable to portray your ideas, no one in the real world would care to look at you. Read more>>

Esther Rogers

I would change the way students are taught to be good communicators. Yes, I would share my story on how I learned to be a better communicator and how this has helped me to shape my career choices. Read more>>

Cristina Quinones

I truly believe the American education system needs a makeover to best benefit today’s youth. Traditional university curriculum continues to demand courses that do not apply to the student’s major or goals, and more than anything the U.S. education system operates as a for profit business rather than a function of society to build adults that will benefit the country. I have two bachelor’s degrees, one in Multimedia Journalism and one in Nursing, and a Master’s in Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Read more>>

Kristen Robinson

What I would change about the educational system is the notion or belief that all students must learn through the same system. I highly value education in all areas and personally feel, as educators, whether academic or artistic, we owe students our efforts to understand how they best learn. I feel they deserve malleability from their teachers in order to deliver information in a way they can receive it, retain it and utilize it. Being a teacher of dance, I find myself constantly exploring new ways to deliver the same information based on the student or the group I have in the room with me. No two people are the same and no two brains or bodies work identically; it’s a beautiful discovery to find a method that suits a student and witness their understanding and achievement consequently. Read more>>

Jeff Utecht

We’re living in an ever-changing world where the job market of tomorrow is impossible to predict. Degrees were once the golden ticket, but they’re just not enough anymore. We’re moving away from a diploma driven workforce to a skill-based one. You see, skills not diploma’s are the new currency for a generation of workers. Read more>>

Jão Fadário

Ah, education – always a hot topic! If I were to spice up the education system, I’d introduce more practical skills alongside the usual curriculum. I mean, sure, Shakespeare is great, but can I balance a checkbook? Probably not the most relevant skill I picked up in school Remember that time when we were discussing quadratic equations for what felt like the hundredth time? Don’t get me wrong, math has its place, but it would’ve been awesome to dive into personal finance or coding. Real-world applications, you know? Imagine the head start we’d have had if we’d learned how to create a budget or build a simple website back then. Read more>>

Cindy Christella

One improvement I would suggest is mandating the inclusion of English language as a core subject in education. I firmly believe that without proficiency in language, individuals are unable to unlock their full potential and benefit from the knowledge shared by others. Growing up in a small island of Bangka in Indonesia, I did not have the opportunity to learn English until I reached fourth grade. Thankfully, my mother worked for an international company and was fluent in English, allowing us to be exposed to the language early. Read more>>

Alexandra Wallace

America’s standard of education for students is so focused on facilitating college careers that end with a bachelor degree minimum. Unadjusted, each average high school student will find themselves on an unwavering path to meet state college credentials, with no consideration of what their own personal strengths are. When I was a sophomore in high school, I began adjusting my high school classes to meet what I was passionate about – film production. I waived the requirements for a California college and instead met the requirements for a private college – I was able to meet the GED standards while concurrently filling my schedule with multiple arts-related classes. Read more>>