Education is at a crossroads. Tuition is on the rise, student debt is astronomical, the value of a degree is being questioned, and the unemployment rates for recent college graduates is double the national average.

This crossroads has become a national conversation in the US. The problem is that the focus has really been on cost. The problem is truly much larger than the cost of the education. It is about the outcomes. High tuition and student load debt would be a lesser conversation if students were finding great paying jobs upon graduation. Even if tuition is free, it is not changing the fact that students are graduating from college without the job ready skills they need.

This is a difficult problem for people to deal with in the US. We are used to being the leader in education, not questioned about our value. We have a storied history of how we deliver higher education. Getting institutions to be nimble and adapt to the current needs is like getting a cruise ship to make a 90-degree turn. It is just not going to happen. Making small adjustments seems to be the solution. The “Band Aid” fixes. This is not about career services staff not doing their job; it is about how well the classes that students take develop their skills to be job ready.   Students get the theory, but not the practice.

There is at least one entity out there willing to start an education revolution. Knod is focused on closing the education to employment gap. Knod is creating an ecosystem where students, educators and employers collaborate on real-world projects that develop the hands-on experiences our “graduates” need to be highly sought after job candidates. By doing this, Knod will help strengthen communities in the US and abroad.

The education to employment gap is not a new concept. Many colleges and universities are using similar language to Knod about their approach to solve the issue.

What sets Knod apart?

• Knod Experience (our learning method)
  • Project-Based Learning – No Lectures. They learn by doing.
  • Employer Inspired Projects – These are real world projects that employers help us develop to ensure students are learning for today’s working environments.
  • Employer Infused Projects – These are real world projects where Knod learners work directly with employers.
  • Virtual – Our experience is online and flexible. It is both synchronous and asynchronous. While online, it is truly hands-on.
  • Team Based – Learners work on teams for each of the projects.
• Skill Development
  • Hands-on project based learning ensures that students develop both hard and soft skills.
• Global
  • Knod learners are not in bubble. They become part of a global network of learners, employers and alumni to enrich their current learning and their long term career growth.

Knod is pro learning and pro employability. There is truly a difference in how we do things. If you want to learn more, check Knod out at www.knod.net.

Corey: Hello Mr. Bunny. Thank you for joining my show.

EB: Thank you. It is not often outside of the Easter season that I am asked to do this kind of thing.

Corey: I have to say that when I was approached about interviewing you I wasn’t thrilled about it.

EB: Why Not?

Corey: We will get to it as part of the interview.

EB: I’m not sure I feel comfortable with that.

Corey: So Mr. Bunny, what is your actual name?

EB: I can’t share that. It is a secret.

Corey: Why, are you in witness protection or something?

EB: No, of course not. It is part of the tradition.

Corey: Just tell me. I have a low viewership. Very few people will ever know.

EB: Sorry, next question.

Corey: Do you go by Easter to your friends?
EB: I said next question.

Corey: You don’t have any friends do you?

EB: Ok, Corey mooove on.

Corey: Do you consider yourself to be an equal to Santa Claus?

EB: Um, what?

Corey: Do you think you are as awesome as Chris?

EB: Ok, I get it, you know Santa’s name.

Corey: Santa doesn’t break in and hide people’s stuff either; he puts in under the tree.

EB: We are different.

Corey: Obviously, you are more of a trickster.

EB: I am not a trickster. I like to send children on an adventure.

Corey: You don’t think it is a tad weird that you sneak into people’s houses and hide their stuff?

EB: I don’t hide their stuff, just the eggs?

Corey: Who bought and colored those eggs? I call that our stuff.

EB: Seriously? Come on man, I’m trying to help the kids have fun.

Corey: By being a jerk? How would you like it if I snuck into your house and hid your crap?

EB: Now my stuff is crap?

Corey: Maybe it is.

EB: Now who is being a jerk?

Santa: I need to butt into this conversation.

Corey: Where on Earth did you come from?

EB: Typical of you to “butt” in, Claus.

Santa: Is that one of your fat jokes, bunny?

Corey: Santa, this is between me and the rabbit. Please let yourself out however you got in.

Corey: Ok, moving on…

Corey: So, where do you live?

EB: Like my name, it is top-secret.

Corey: Oh, my.

Corey:   Do you have helpers?
EB: Unlike your buddy Santa, I go it alone.

Corey: How do you get into people’s houses?

EB: I learned to pick locks at a young age.

Corey: Really???

EB: No, come on. Seriously. I have magic.

Corey: I liked the version of you that was in that movie Rise of the Guardians.

EB: Yeah, a lot of people did. I had been losing some popularity as of late so my team came up with this idea to make me a bit more rugged.

Corey: Your team?

EB: While I work Easter alone, I have people that do some things for me.

Corey:   Let’s take a moment to summarize. Your name is secret, where you live is secret, you mostly work alone, you have “magic” to allow you into people’s homes, and you have people that do things for you.

EB: That sounds about right.
Corey: It does? You don’t think that makes you sound a bit creepy? Not to mention that you wear makeup?

EB: I don’t wear makeup; this is my natural fur tone.

Corey: Creepy

EB: I am not creepy.

Corey: Creeeeeeepyyyyyyy

EB: Stop

Corey: It’s like you are trying to be some sort of creepy super hero.

EB: Ok, STOP! My name is Elliot Smith and I live in a hole below a town called Franklin.

Corey: That sounds made up.

EB: Exactly.

Corey: Seriously is that made up?

EB: Of course you moron, you think this is my first rodeo?   You can’t make me crack.

Corey: HaHaHa, you are one funny rabbit.

EB: Thank you.

Corey: I’m just going to edit this segment out.

EB: Out of what? Talk about weird, this isn’t a studio. It is just you and me talking in a room. This show is made up. I’m done here.

Corey: Thanks for coming in.
EB: Hrmph.

• Set goals for your career and be realistic. Your career is a journey and will take time to get there.
• Don’t be afraid to change your mind. Just because you thought you wanted to be X, experience and opportunity my change your direction. Go with it. Even if you have been working in an industry for a long time.
• Network inside and outside of your current industry. It is good know and learn from people in multiple industries.
• When asked to do a project outside of your current job responsibility, say YES and go above and beyond.
• Be kind to people along your journey. You don’t have to step on the “little guy” to get ahead.
• Nobody likes a whiner. Stop complaining about your current job. If you don’t like it, do something about it. If you aren’t wiling to do something about it, shhhhh. Accept it and move on.
• Leadership is an action, not your title. Leadership is not a final destination, but a continuous journey into the future.
• You don’t deserve anything. You need to earn it. Just because you have worked somewhere a long time does not mean you should get a raise or a promotion, etc. Ask yourself, have you earned the raise or promotion?
• While change is hard, be one of the early adopters. If you adopt the change early, you can be part of the solution.
• Take risks. If you spend your career in your comfort zone all the time, you wont ever maximize your true potential.

If you have others, please feel free to share!

Corey: Thank you for joining me on my show, Hook. So excited to have you. Can I call you Hook?

Captain Hook: No

Corey: How about James?

Captain Hook: No. You can call me Captain or Sir.

Corey: Ok. Captain it is.

Corey: You are the first villain I have had on my show.

Captain Hook: I’m honored, I guess.

Corey: Thank you. How did you lose your hand?

Captain Hook: Fishing accident

Corey: Really? I thought Peter cut it off and fed it to a crocodile?

Captain Hook: Does that count as two questions?

Corey: Sure if you answer them.

Captain Hook: I was minding my own business when out of nowhere this flying crazy person swooped down and cut off my hand. He threw my hand overboard and that crocodile ate it before I could fish it out. See, a fishing accident.

Corey: That crocodile really has a taste for you now; does that scare you?

Captain Hook: Scared? No, concerned– yes. Tough to go for a swim anymore.

Corey: Do people in Neverland get upset that you are fighting with a boy?

Captain Hook: Boy? Just because he refuses to grow up doesn’t mean he is a boy. He’s just short and really immature.

Corey: I never thought of it that way. What about the Lost Boys?

Captain Hook: What about them? Don’t let the Disney movie fool you. They are actually mature and realize that Peter isn’t all he is cracked up to be. They leave Neverland and grow up. Acquaintances really.

Corey: What is your feeling of the way you have been depicted in the movies?

Captain Hook: I’m fine with it. I don’t really care. Dustin Hoffman developed a mancrush on me, but that’s fine. Paid me well too.

Corey: I would guess that is true. You must make more money from cartoons and movies that feature you than you do actually pirating?

Captain Hook: You don’t understand pirating at all then. We pirates will take money the easiest way possible. If it means someone writing me a check, cha’ching!

Corey: Final Question. What’s next for the great Captain James Hook?

Captain Hook: I think I’m going to grab some dinner and head back to the ship.

Corey: That’s not what I meant, I meant…

Captain Hook: Sorry, 10 questions asked and answered. Good day to you.

1. If you wear shoes without socks, your feet stink. I don’t care who you are, or how good you look, you have some stinky feet!
2. Kids may not be smarter, but their minds are much more open.
3. Phoenix is only a dry heat if you are indoors. Once you go out, you are pretty wet sweat.
4. Give God a chance. If I’m wrong, what do you lose? If you are wrong? Uh, oh!
5. Birthdays should be celebrated. Don’t let any go by unnoticed. Love the people you love more on those days!
6. Eat healthy, just don’t jump off the deep end. Candy is delicious. In moderation it is OK! (Substitute your weakness for candy)
7. Read more. It doesn’t have to be books, but should be more than just social media posts.
8. Get honest feedback on your clothing choices. I promise you, you have stuff in your wardrobe that doesn’t look good on you. People are staring at you for a different reason that you think.
9. Stay current on technology. Nothing makes you seem old more than falling behind on technology (well, except wrinkles I guess).
10. Tell the people closest to you in life that you love them daily. This should never be a question in their mind.

Bonus…

It’s weird to eat breakfast for dinner.

Corey: Hey, I really appreciate you having this chat with me today.

Mary: It is my pleasure.

Corey: You look really nice today.

Mary: Thank you.

Corey: Most people come dressed much more casually for these.

Mary: Well, I’m pretty traditional English.

Corey: So you are. I do appreciate you dressing up though.

Mary: Are you hitting on me?

Corey: What?!

Mary: I’m seeing someone.

Corey: I’m married. But, now that you opened the door, is it that chimney sweep guy?

Mary: Hey, I mentioned to your producers that I was not going to talk about him.

Corey: So it is Bert?

Mary: I’m done with this interview.

Corey: Wait, we haven’t started the interview yet. Please sit back down. I will stick closer to the script.

Mary: Closer? Have you actually ever interviewed anyone?

Corey: Yes, of course.

Mary: Who?

Corey: My first guest was Mr. Bilbo Baggins.

Mary: He isn’t even a real person.

Corey: No, he is a Halfling. A Hobbit.

Mary: What is a Hobbit?

Corey: It is an honor and a pleasure to have the great Mary Poppins on my show.

Mary: Show? Where is the camera?

Corey: Has anyone ever told you that you look strikingly like Maria from The Sound Of Music?

Mary: Honestly, No.

Corey: I mean the similarities don’t stop there. You both take care of children, you both sing songs that get stuck in your head and…

Mary: I have no idea what you are talking about.

Corey: Have you always been magical?

Mary: As long as I can remember.

Corey: I totally wish I could clean a room with magic.

Mary: I’m sure you do.

Corey: That was kind of rude.

Mary: Have you listened to any of this interview?

Corey: Does a spoonful of sugar really help the medicine go down, the medicine go down?

Mary: Yes.

Corey: How do you spell Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?

Mary: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Corey: I was hoping you would sing it.

Mary: Have you heard the song? I don’t spell it in the song.

Corey: Oh. Sorry.

Corey: So, again, I would be not honoring my listeners if I didn’t ask about your relationship with Mr. Chim Chim Cher-ee himself.

Mary: What listeners? Nobody is recording this.

Corey: Ok, can I call you a cab or did you bring your umbrella?

Mary: Good Day Sir!

Corey: Let me say Mr. Baggins, that I have been a huge fan of yours for a long time.

Bilbo: Thank you. Please call me Bilbo.

Corey: Ok, Bilbo it is. I must say Bilbo, I really thought your feet would be bigger.

Bilbo: Hahaha. Yes, I get that a lot. The movie adaptation of my journey really took some liberties there.

Corey: Do you consider yourself a super hero?

Bilbo: I did for a while there.   Ultimately it is why I decided to give up the ring.

Corey: Really? Interesting. You gave up the ring because of that? I thought it was because it needed to destroyed so it didn’t fall into the wrong hands.

Bilbo: That is all BS. We could have easily used the ring to take out the Great Enemy. We could still have it now. I would be considered….(long pause)

Bilbo: Let’s not talk about the ring. I’m still a little pissed about it still.

Corey: Sorry, no problem. I didn’t mean too. (interrupted)

Bilbo: Ok, move on.

Corey: What was it like to travel with elves and dwarves?

Bilbo: It was a rocky start with the dwarves, but over the journey we truly became friends. Great group really.

Corey: And the Elves?

Bilbo: Did you even read my book or did you just see the movie?! I’m not even going to dignify that with an answer.

Corey: Wow, you really are still pissed about the ring.

Bilbo: Yes, but I also get pissed when people ask me questions about the movie rather than my book.

Corey: I forgot that Legolas was not part of your book.

Bilbo: No sir. I know him though. Talk about a dude that likes himself a bunch. I heard that he begged to be represented in the movie so people would still love him. It may just be a rumor though.

Corey: What about Azog and the pack of orcs that were chasing you. What was that experience like.

Bilbo: Common man. I am seriously questioning why I agreed to this interview. I have to stop responding to tweet requests for interviews.

Corey: Haha! I was only kidding on that one. I know they were not part of your book.

Corey: I will however ask you about the goblins.

Bilbo: That was an awful experience really. The smell was…it was…lets just say the worst I have ever smelled.

Corey: Your story is really a coming of age story. I often tell people you are my favorite literary character of all time. From your sheepish start to your heroic finish, I truly became a fan.

Bilbo: Thank you for that. It was a difficult journey to say the least. I at times had to wrestle with my own decision making to ensure that I was honoring and true to my team. In the end I decided it would be better to live this adventure with them than die dreaming of the adventure I could have had. The only way to do that was to face my fears and move forward.

Corey: Just a couple of more questions.

Corey: Smaug. Lets talk about Smaug.

Bilbo: I have been waiting for some questions about Smaug.

Corey:   What was it like to come face-to-face with a freakin’ dragon?!

Bilbo: HaHaHa! I was tested there for sure. It was life changing. Dragons are super intelligent and very nasty. They are like super villains really.

Corey: Yes, Smaug was impressive.

Corey: The final battle was awesome.

Bilbo: I think so now, but in the moment, it was horrible. As you notice, I am not the biggest fellow. This was the most intense time of my life. I was happy we prevailed, but didn’t think I was going to make it out alive.

Corey: In the end, you made off with quite a bit of gold.

Bilbo: I did ok.

Corey: Just ok?

Bilbo: Maybe slightly better than ok.

Corey: Come on Bilbo, how’d you do?

Bilbo: I made off like a “burglar.” Get it, burglar. HAHAHAHA!

Corey: HA!

1. Set Boundaries. Working from home seems like the ultimate flexible job. But, if you don’t set clear boundaries with family, you can find yourself in a situation where you are not getting your work done. You still have a job to do with excellence.
2. Establish A Routine. What time will you start working each day? Where will you set up shop? When will you break for lunch? When will you quit for the day?
3. Rub It In. Yup, it is great to let folks know you now work from home. Nothing better than to hear someone say, “I could never do that.” Those are the ones who are the most jealous!
4. Stay Connected. Working from home does not mean you have to feel like you are on an island. You have all kinds of tools that can help you build relationships and connect with your colleagues regularly.
5. Know Your Weaknesses. Yes, we all have them. With this, I mean know what distracts you and remove them. If you can’t remove them, you will need to remove yourself.
6. Find Alternative Work Spaces. I love coffee shops. The only thing that distracts me there is an empty cup of coffee! The key is to find places that you can be comfortable, a place that doesn’t care how long you stay, and a place that has great wifi.
7. Invest In Pajamas. However, you can dress as casual as you want. If you have video-conferences, you can rock your “clothes mullet.” Business on the top, party on the bottom!
8. Engage Social Media. This sounds like a distraction, but it is an avenue for you to network, share your expertise in areas, and learn.   There are excellent articles, blog posts, and conversations that take place that are growth centered.
9. Communicate Regularly. People you work with need to know what you are working on. Similar to #4, this one is more focused on communicating work projects, not networking. Don’t become “out of sight, out of mind.”
10. Enjoy It. Nothing more to say, but congrats on landing a remote position. Be great.

For those of you who have had the opportunity or currently work remotely, please add to the list.

• Ability to work from anywhere
• Fantastic “office” environment
• Fewer meetings, committee assignments, etc. so you can accomplish more during the workweek
• Learn quickly who has the best coffee and wifi in town
• Flexibility in meeting family needs

• Anywhere you go, you can work
• If you aren’t getting along with the people in the “office”, you may need to seek counseling.
• People often question “What do you do all day?”
• Judge every place you go by the quality of wifi
• Family thinks you can be flexible to meet all their needs