Ballmer Group’s Post

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑: 𝑮𝒖𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝑷𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔"! In today's fast-paced world, I've come to realize that skill sets are the cornerstone of success for our students, particularly Generation Alpha. From my own experiences and observations, I strongly believe that skills like 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧-𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦-𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 are not just desirable but essential in navigating the complexities of today's world. Gone are the days when textbooks alone sufficed. It's become increasingly clear that our youth need practical, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲. That's why mentorship plays such a vital role. Guiding and supporting students through mentorship programs can empower them to develop these crucial skills, equipping them to tackle challenges with confidence and creativity. With 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐙𝐞𝐞.𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛, we've successfully taught over 𝟕𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 as of. The reason I started Skillizee in 2021 was because I noticed a gap in essential skills among our students. Many were lacking crucial abilities like decision-making, critical thinking ,problem-solving  and creativity, which are vital for success in today's rapidly changing world. I was determined to bridge this gap and provide students with practical, real-world education that prepares them not just for exams, but for life beyond the classroom. Together, we're shaping a future where every student is equipped with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Go and check the link to learn more about what inspired me to start Skillizee and how we're making a difference in the lives of students. https://skillizee.club/ https://lnkd.in/gj533g8w

Interested in mentoring the next generation? Our blog highlights the powerful impact of mentorship and how you can get involved. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eN9cEQge

Just read some parts of the World Economic Forum's "Future of Jobs Report 2023", and wondered what lies in it for me as an enabler of Skills Development & Real Life Learning for school students. The research provides several important trends and challenges that are likely to shape the job market over the next 5-6 years. It's by the time that current high schoolers will be out of their graduate/post-graduate courses and will be looking for employment. We are already facing new challenges and are sure to witness significant changes with a complex interplay of economic, technological, and societal factors, such as: - Adoption of technology across sectors - Growth of jobs in specific areas like education, tech, and agriculture the decline of jobs in administrative roles, production, and commerce - Need for higher-order cognitive skills - analytical and creative thinking - Dependency on AI & and machine learning - Changing DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) priorities for a specific focus on women, youth, and individuals with disabilities - changing worker expectations increasingly focused on factors such as work-life balance, job security, and overall job satisfaction. Now, the big question is how do we prepare high schoolers for this new world? 💡 As high school students consider their future career paths, these trends are to be taken into account to make informed decisions and prepare for the evolving world of work. At Inventure Academy I recently led the conceptualization and organization of an event called, The Mentoring Day. An event that serves as a bridge between high school students and the dynamic job market, providing them with firsthand insights, guidance, and information about the skills, expectations, and challenges they may encounter. We invited industry experts from a wide range of domains, especially the ones that are expected to stir disruption in the future of the jobs. The interactions helped address the need for informed decision-making, skill development, and career readiness, all of which are crucial in navigating the future world of work outlined in the report. ⚡ New education for the new world needn’t follow the traditional rules but need to find learning in new ways, and I strongly recommend such exposure for students across the world. Grateful that at Inventure Academy, we are already thinking about this and are committed to providing such learning opportunities to students. A big thanks to our incredible mentors who joined us and connected with our students Dr. Ishani Roy Sivaram Kuppachi Aaditya Vidyarthi Rohini Kesavan Rajeev Krishna Kalyan T D Rahul Sekar Dr Shailja Jain Dr. Shweta Luthra Vikram Srinivasan Let's continue to invest in our future leaders and guide them toward success. If you're interested in getting involved to discuss thoughts on this or want to learn more about Mentoring Day, feel free to reach out. https://lnkd.in/gPYvWtzS

While I don’t usually share the kids' accomplishments on LinkedIn, I’m embracing this #ProudParentMoment to share their Curious Cardinals EOY Recap! Curious Cardinals has delivered incredible results for us. Since joining, they have not only excelled academically, but also discovered new passions and skills from working with a CC Mentor. Here’s what stood out: • Personalized, results-driven mentorship • Innovative learning paths that spark real-world curiosity • Engaging mentors who inspire growth and skill development Curious Cardinals goes beyond traditional tutoring, and actually gets kids excited about learning. Their mentors are relatable and dedicated, ensuring that kids stay motivated and achieve tangible project results. Bonus: if you want your kids to experience the magic of Curious Cardinals, tell the team I sent you from #CuriousCardinalsRecap for a free session to try it out once you sign up on their website. Join us in celebrating the impressive achievements and growth fostered by Curious Cardinals! #CuriousCardinalsRecap #ProudParentMoment #CuriousCardinalsParent

I don’t take it for granted that I work with a great team at The University of Texas at Dallas! We collaborate on most projects and events, we support each other whenever it is needed, and we just generally enjoy each other’s company! We don’t always agree on issues and processes for our department, but we respect each other and take everyone’s concern into consideration. Working in orientation means dealing with a lot of moving parts, so teamwork is of the utmost importance! #utdallas #freshmanorientation #transferorientation #studentaffairs #studenttransitionprograms #teamworkmakesthedreamwork

Donut Strategy: A Multi-Layered Interaction with Multiple Benefits I have used the Donut Strategy multiple times, but I couldn't help but share this strategy with you all. I am sure many of us are aware of this strategy, but I just feel it can be used in multiple ways. Donut strategy and it's benefits: 1) Great way to develop communication skills (especially listening, which is a vital aspect for effective communication) 2) Help students become reflective individuals 3) Fosters peer learning (facilitates knowledge exchange and collaborative growth) 4) Students become open-minded, as they are exposed to diverse perspectives 5) Enhances their social skills and thinking skills, which is vital for their personal and academic success How to implement this strategy? 1) Students arrange themselves in concentric circles, facing one another. 2) On cue, the outer circle moves clockwise by two steps, then stops. 3) Outer circle students engage with their inner circle partners, actively listening and sharing insights. 4) Next, inner circle students shift counterclockwise by two steps, then stop. 5) Inner circle students now listen to their new outer circle partners, while students in the outer circle speak. ( The ones who move listen and the ones who don't move, they speak) You have the flexibility to determine the number of rounds based on your class period. I typically conclude with three rounds. And this is one way of going about this strategy: How can we improvise this strategy? 1) Instead of one student listening and the other student speaking, students can read each other's work and give instant verbal feedback and then move around 2) Instead of using it as a reflection, it can be used as a 'Build on' exercise, where students build on each other's ideas. 3) We can use this strategy to debate on a topic. For example, the outer circle students speak 'for' the topic, and the inner circle students speak 'against', or vice versa, thus helping them ehance their debating skills. The donut strategy can be applied in every classroom, whether it's an art class, second language class, physical education, etc. This strategy is a MUST TRY! Try it out and experience the transformation in your classroom! #donutstrategy #multilayeredinteraction #benefits #improvise #holisticeducation #communicationskills #socialskills #thinkingskills #openmindedness #reflective #learners #engaging #classroom #strategies #2023

In the essence of mentorship, there exists a parallel journey that mirrors that of each student, characterized by shared responsibility rather than merely fulfilling a mentor's duty. It's not just about the mentor leading the way; it entails walking side by side with our students, weathering every win as well as a setback. It's about being there when they stumble, offering a steady hand to lift them back up. It's about celebrating their successes as if they were our own because, in many ways, they are. Every decision and every guidance offered carries the weight of moulding the student's future. It's not about meeting enrollment quotas or fulfilling obligations; it's about owning the collective responsibility and instilling confidence in our students. #mentorship #education #studentsuccess #growth #collegecounseling