Corey: Hello Mr. Gumby, thank you for taking the time to interview with me for this sales position.

Gumby: I appreciate the opportunity.

Corey: We are a rapidly growing company and are often building the plane while flying it. How will you adapt to this environment?

Gumby: I’m known for being really flexible.

Corey: Flexibility is important in our line of work. Can you share with me a time you were flexible?

Gumby: Of course…

Corey: Whoa, I did not mean that kind of flexibility!

Corey: Selling can be a difficult job. Tell me about a time you encountered a difficult sale. What approach do you take with these?

Gumby: I pretty regularly encountered Blockheads in previous positions. I try to be patient.

Corey: Patience is good. Do you get the sale done?

Gumby: I’m still working on those.

Corey: Why are you looking to leave your current job?

Gumby: To be honest, I’ve been “kiln” it there and don’t get the recognition I think I have earned.

Corey: How do you know you were doing so well?

Gumby: I have been there for almost a year.
Corey: Does that seem like a long time?

Gumby: Some days more than others.

Corey: What is your style of leadership?

Gumby: I think of myself kind of like an artist. I mold them into the employee I want them to be. It can take some time to get it right, but once I fire them up, they are solid. Kind of like clay, I guess.

Corey: What does that that molded employee look like?

Gumby: Kind of like me I would say I guess.

Corey: Do you have direct supervision experience?

Gumby: No, not yet.

Corey: What would you say are your weaknesses?

Gumby: Ice cream. Unfortunately if I eat it, I freeze.

Corey: Is that your only weakness?

Gumby: No. I can sometimes glaze over things when I am bored.

Corey: Do you get bored often?

Gumby: More than one might think.

Corey: What about weaknesses in your skill sets?

Gumby: I went to college. I am prepared for all that faces me.

Corey: Did you do anything while in college to learn the skills needed to perform the job?

Gumby: I’m not sure I know what you mean.

Corey: You know, like internships, apprenticeship, experiential learning, project-based learning, etc.

Gumby: I had a TV show. Does that count?

Corey: That’s cool, but not necessarily what I meant.

Corey: What are your goals?

Gumby: I just want to leave the place better than I found it.

Corey: That is noble. I mean more about your career goals.
Gumby: Ahh, to make the world more awesome that it is today.

Corey: Ok. Thanks. What kinds of questions to you have for me?

Gumby: What is the typical dress code here?

Corey: We are pretty informal. Feel free to dress how you are now.

Gumby: That is a relief. You would be surprised how many people frown on me wearing this outfit so regularly.

Gumby: When will I find out if I get the job?

Corey: Well Gumby, you are exactly what I am looking for. Someone with little to no skills and will take months if not years to train.

Gumby: That is great!

Corey: I’m kidding. Come back and see me when you have some real experience to share.

Moral of the story? Don’t be a Gumby.   Get the experiences along your educational journey so you have practical application experiences to share in your interview.

• Having a college degree still positions you to make more money over your lifetime.
• We still value a college degree, but now question the value we are getting for our money.
• All nighters have gotten expensive thanks to the rising costs of coffee!
• Too many students graduate from college without any practical experience in their chosen field.
• Regional Accreditation is not better than National Accreditation despite what people may say. Both have pros and cons. What matters is what is best for the individual student.
• Change is necessary. Both pocket and transformation kinds.
• Thinking about college is making me want pizza and beer. Is that wrong?
• Textbooks are still relevant and old school at the same time. It would be awesome if they could be adjusted to old school prices.
• People can get a quality education online, just like they can get a poor education in person. We just tend to judge online more harshly.
• Algebra is critical for your long-term survival. Wait, I might be mistaken.
• A good chunk of current and future students will work in industries that have not been created yet.   This means that students should either major in something that is adaptable or in something they are passionate about.

Free is a funny word. We use it incorrectly most of the time. When people say state university tuition should be free, they are misusing the word free. It won’t be free. It would be 100% subsidized. There is a difference. Someone has to pay for it to happen.

What is the reasoning for wanting free tuition at state universities? People will tell you that it is because of the outrageous student loan debt. It can’t be about student debt. This country was founded on debt. There is debt that is considered good debt and debt that is not good. Student load debt should be part of the good debt. Why? Well, simply because paying for an education to improve your lot in life should be a good thing. If you have to pay for the things that keep you alive (food, water, shelter), it is reasonable to think you should pay for a higher education.

There is a greater problem than student loan debt. The greater problem is that the unemployment/underemployment rate of recent college graduates is nearly double the national average for unemployment. No longer does getting a degree equal getting a good paying job. So really, the biggest problem is not student loan debt or unemployment of recent college graduates. The problem is the skills gap. Students are graduating from college without developing the skills they need to be employable. They get theory, just not the practice.   I see ads and articles by universities saying they give this to students.   I believe some do. The issue is that most don’t.

Rather than making state colleges free, maybe we should look at some better alternatives.

• Hold colleges accountable for real outcomes.   Stop measuring success by simply graduation rates. What about employment rates? Attach this success to state and federal funding.
• Change tuition rates to match starting salaries after graduation.   A student studying to be a teacher should not pay as much as someone studying to be an engineer.
• Create student loan caps depending on the earning potential of the major you choose. A social work major should not be able to take out as much student loan as someone majoring in accounting. If a student is undecided about their major, the cap stays low.
• Require universities as part of their accreditation to eliminate majors that are not yielding graduates that find jobs. This isn’t about eliminating certain types of degrees. Some universities will do better than others with specific degrees.
• Move universities out of the “not-for-profit” business so that they can be more entrepreneurial and rely less on federal student aid to help their students pay for the cost to run a university.

I don’t have all the answers on this, but making tuition “free” is not going to solve the employability problem that graduates face.   I think it is time that we look for real solutions to the real problem.

• Parent of the year award is kind of like a participation trophy. You don’t have to do anything special to earn it. It comes with the mug.
• If you can see your phone without extending your arm completely, you do not need glasses yet.
• People will really never understand what your actual job is unless they do it too.
• Apple is better than Android. Even when Apple fails to impress, they still are in the lead.
• Homework time has proven to be an awful experience for both the 2nd grader (enter your own child’s grade here) AND his/her parents. I actually can’t speak about how this is with girls, but with boys..Whew!
• If you have not read/listened to the Hobbit, do so. The movies were great, but the book was a masterpiece. (Bilbo Baggins Rules!)
• Do something weekly outside of work that allows you to be creative.
• Working out is not fun, but neither is brushing your teeth. You should however, do both regularly. I would say twice daily on the brushing thing.
• You don’t need to tear down others to build yourself up. Seriously, it won’t hurt you to be nice. Just be nice.
• Seriously, Apple is better. When was the last time you saw people waiting in line to get the newest non-Apple product?
• Picking your nose in public is nasty. However, if we see you do it, we will chuckle at your expense. Maybe even point. If we are with others, we will talk about you. Hmm. Maybe this is kind of like your 15 minutes of fame. Pick away.
• Staying current with technology is like regularly swimming in the fountain of youth.
• Not staying current with technology makes you old before your time. Weird how that works.
• Mythbusters is still awesome. Even without Tory, Grant and Kari.
• Thursday Night NFL makes the week better.
• It’s strange how everyone is a bad driver except you.
• Even if you don’t think they deserve it, show them grace. It is better for your heart and soul.

Corey: Please welcome the great Batman to the show!

Bruce: With whom are you talking?

Corey: It is just for effect.

Bruce: I thought this would be in a nicer place.

Corey: I know, it’s not a cave, but bear with me.

Bruce: Ah, funny guy.

Corey: So, Bruce, why do you talk with such a deeper and gravely voice when you are Batman?

Bruce: The neck piece is a bit tighter than I would like it to be.

Corey: Why don’t you loosen it?

Bruce: If it is any looser it makes my neck look weird.

Corey: By whose standards? I don’t think those of us you are saving would care much about that.

Bruce: When you design a suit, you can have it fit like you want it to.

Corey: What do you think about Iron Man’s suit?

Bruce: Which one?

Corey: I guess Mark #51.

Bruce: It’s nice, I guess.

Corey: Nice. It is freakin’ amazing. Have you seen all the stuff it can do? I mean..

Bruce: Ok, got it. You like it. Look, if I spent a billion dollars on my suit it would be..

Corey: Be what? Able to fly?

Bruce: Maybe.

Corey: Do you know how to develop that kind of technology?

Bruce: I could figure it out.

Corey: Really? If you could figure it out, why don’t you just have it? I mean you are Batman. Bats can fly, can’t they?

Bruce: Do you have any other questions?

Corey: Yes.

Corey: What is the deal with Robin?

Bruce: Don’t go there.

Corey: I mean boy wonder? Don’t you think it is odd that you are hanging out with a boy?

Bruce: He is not a boy.   It is just the nickname.

Corey: Why do you need a sidekick?

Bruce: I don’t.

Corey: But you have one.

Bruce: Yes, but you didn’t ask why I have one, you asked why I NEED one. I don’t NEED one.

Corey: Ok, why do you have one?

Bruce: I needed someone to lighten things up. I am a pretty serious guy.

Corey: You just said needed.

Bruce: Move on.

Corey: Whose weapons are better, yours or Iron Man’s?

Bruce: Mine.

Corey: What makes you think so?

Bruce: They haven’t let me down yet.

Corey: But Stark Industries makes weapons.

Bruce: I know. I use some of them.

Corey: Really? Awesome.

Bruce: No, not really. I make my own stuff.

Corey: That was lame.

Bruce: I have all kinds of weapons, plus the Bat mobile, the Bat Plane, you name it and I have it.

Corey: But Iron Man can fly.

Bruce: He does have that going for him.

Corey: What is your beef with Superman?

Bruce: He is arrogant. Loves himself. Thinks he is God.

Corey: Sounds like someone else I know.

Bruce: Oh, so you have met Tony Stark.

Corey: I meant…

Bruce: I know who you meant. Don’t forget who I am. I don’t really know you and you have not earned the right to be disrespectful to me.

Corey: Are you threatening me? On my own show?

Bruce: Call it what you want, just tread lightly here, son.

Corey: Back to Superman. It seems like all you super heroes should get along better.

Bruce: We do when we have to. We all have our own way of doing things.

Corey: Why did you design your suit to be tights?

Bruce: I don’t wear tights.

Corey: You totally do. Look at this picture.

Bruce: That isn’t me. That is Adam West from the 1960s TV show.

Corey: So. You must have worn tights in the 60s.

Bruce: We all did things in the 60s we aren’t proud of.

Corey: Not me, I wasn’t born yet.

Bruce: No, I guess not, but I am sure in 40 years when you look back on this show you will know what I am talking about.
Corey: That was rude.

Bruce: I’m not sure you even really know what that means. Do you even pay attention to these interviews?

Corey: Sometimes. I have a short attention span.

Bruce: I can tell.

Corey: Looks like I’m going to really need to edit this show before it airs.

Bruce: Where does it air?

Corey: I’m not really sure actually.

Bruce: Does any one even see it?

Corey: I have a couple loyalish followers.

Bruce: Who, your mother?

Corey: Maybe. You are really not that nice of a guy.
Bruce: Do you have more questions?

Corey: I don’t know. You have me a bit flustered.

Bruce: Well?

Corey: Yes. Why are you considered a super hero and not a vigilante?

Bruce: Marketing and my great wealth, but mostly marketing.

Corey: Don’t you think it is odd that as one that can’t fly you wear a cape?

Bruce: I’m Batman. It completes the suit.

Corey: But it is just an accessory.

Bruce: So is a watch.

Corey: Then wear a watch.
Bruce: I do.

Corey: That was a rhetorical statement.

Bruce: BAM! I’m out of here.

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.