Instead of New Year’s Resolutions, Create a 30 Day PDP
It goes something like this: its almost New Years and you sit down to write out your goals for the following year. You begin writing and are surprised by how much you want to accomplish. You’re excited and inspired but also overwhelmed with choices. Where do you begin? How long will it take? New Year’s […]
A Wrong Decision is Better than No Decision
Today, it is easier than ever to become lost in indecision. We are surrounded by a plethora of choices in all areas of life. They range from choosing your next big career move, to choosing where to live, to choosing what to have for dinner, and everything in between. The process of choosing which thing […]
Here’s What Employers Value More Than Experience
Since I dropped out of college, I’ve noticed something unexpected: Despite starting in entry-level positions, people who quit school and have minimal experience often perform better and advance much faster early on in their careers. They have a chip on their shoulder. They realize that they’re starting from a lower perceived spot by quitting college, […]
How to Overcome the Social and Parental Pressure to Go Back to College
Should I drop out or should I stay in school? Most people I talk to will choose unhappiness and boredom over disappointing their family and friends. I was like this a few years ago. Few people know that I dropped out of college for the first time in the fall semester of 2014. I skipped […]
Are Praxis Participants Interns?
Are Praxis participants interns? The answer is a resounding no. Praxis participants are more than interns and the Praxis experience is more than an internship. The best word to describe the role of a Praxis participant is that of apprentice. Apprenticeships are designed around learning by doing, immersing the employee in a level of work that provides […]
Who Needs Philosophy?
This post was co-authored by T.k. Coleman and Grant Parker. A philosophy professor of mine once said “There’s a difference between talking trash about the air you breathe and actually trying to breathe without air.” Mocking the value of philosophy is like talking trash about the air you breathe. Living without philosophy is like trying […]
3 Reasons to Be More Ambitious
I talk to a lot of competent, hard-working young people. I do this at our business partners, in Praxis interviews, during speaking engagements, and on social media. The audience I am engaging is better than your average 18 or 22 year old. These are people who actually look forward to working and are excited about the opportunity […]
Throw Your Resume Away: Simple Steps to Developing an Effective Value Proposition
You don’t need a degree. You need a value proposition. This is the central idea of an article I wrote awhile ago. Here’s a summary: credentialism, resume padding, and rising standards of living and education levels, have all led to resume inflation. The resume is becoming an increasingly poor way to “sell” yourself to companies […]
I Interviewed 20 Successful Dropouts. Here’s What I Learned.
This is a guest post by Kylon Gienger, the host of the Successful Dropout Podcast. Kylon has interviews with Praxis Director of Marketing Derek Magill and CEO Isaac Morehouse. As the host of the Successful Dropout podcast and website, I have had the pleasure of interviewing an inspiring and successful dropout every week. Most have […]
How to Create a Useful Digital Paper Trail
Your presence online is either a liability or an asset. There is no middle ground. The trick is getting your digital paper trail to work for you. I don’t mean this in the way of your teachers in high school who cautioned you about putting pictures of parties online. I mean it in a way that’s […]
If You Can’t Leave It Better Than You Found It, Don’t Work There
“Leave it better than you found it” is something you’ve probably heard about a campsite or nature preserve. It’s a great rule of thumb for just about everything. Sticking to it will ensure that you treat every activity as meaningful. If you have to leave it better than you found it, you really have to […]
Developing the Proper Attitude Toward Feedback
Feedback is an almost universally praised tool for growth, yet it’s still incredibly hard to give and take. There’s a lot that goes in to making it easier, but that starts with developing the proper attitude towards feedback. When you understand what feedback is and exactly why it’s important, it becomes easier to give and take when […]
Kill Your Next Interview With These Tips
Interviews are a big part of life and a big part of Praxis. I interview dozens of candidates per month and send each of our participants off to do interviews with business partners. This means that we’ve picked up some of the best do’s and don’ts for successfully interviewing, whether for a job, fellowship, apprenticeship, […]
In Your Daily Routine, Are You Making Room for Thought?
I interviewed the founder of a Praxis business partner recently and he said something unexpected. He’s a high-energy, type A kind of person and incredibly productive. When I asked any tips or habits he employs to get so much done he said “I make time to think.” He went on to describe large chunks of time […]
What Kinds of Companies are Praxis Business Partners?
One of the most common questions we get is “what kind of companies are your business partners?” People like to get an idea of what the work experience will be like and what kind of industries they can see themselves working in during the program. The answer is simple: high-growth companies. Praxis partners with startups in […]