Empowering Students to Forge Their Own Futures: Lessons from Pitch Playground

What if education were designed to truly empower students to shape their own futures instead of boxing them into one-size-fits-all solutions? This question drives the work of Victoria Chen, founder of BridgeYear, as highlighted in a recent episode of the Pitch Playground, hosted by Nicole Jarbo, podcast. Victoria’s story challenges us to rethink two critical issues in education: agency and economic mobility.

Agency in Education: A Missing Ingredient

Too often, students lack real choice in their educational journey, constrained by outdated norms and systemic mandates. Victoria’s experience as a high school biology teacher turned career counselor exposed this disconnect firsthand. She shared the story of Christian, a student who avoided her in the hallway, saying, “Miss, I don’t want to go to college. Stop hounding me on this.” His frustration revealed a deeper truth: the system’s focus on college as the only path disregarded his individual goals.

Victoria describes this lack of agency as a systemic failure: “If the whole purpose of our public education system is to set young people up for a better life, then is me teaching biology really going to help them with that?” Her reflection led to the creation of BridgeYear, a nonprofit offering students alternative pathways and hands-on experiences that align with their interests and realities.

The cornerstone of BridgeYear’s work is its innovative Career Test Drive program. This isn’t your typical career fair—it’s an immersive, hands-on exploration where students try out careers ranging from electricians to surgical technologists. “You should never buy a car without test-driving it,” Victoria explains, “and you should never choose a career without giving it a try either.” These simulations give students agency, allowing them to make informed decisions about their futures based on real-world experiences.

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Redefining Economic Mobility: Beyond the Four-Year Degree

For decades, success has been equated with obtaining a four-year college degree. But what happens when life circumstances or personal goals don’t align with that path? Victoria’s story of a valedictorian who ended up working as a cashier at Walgreens because he couldn’t afford to pursue his scholarship illustrates this stark reality. As she puts it, “If the whole purpose of education is to set a young person up for economic mobility, then we have to show them the various pathways they can take to get there.”

BridgeYear challenges the traditional narrative by focusing on high-demand, well-paying careers that don’t require a degree. One success story featured a student who discovered her passion for healthcare through the Career Test Drive. After practicing phlebotomy on a dummy arm, she enrolled in a certification program, graduated, and found employment shortly after. Her excitement even inspired her boyfriend and younger sister to follow similar paths, proving the ripple effect of opening up new possibilities.

Victoria’s initiative also tackles predatory practices in the education space. Through MorePathways.org, a tech platform launched in 2022, students and families can access vetted, affordable workforce programs. This tool aims to combat the harm caused by for-profit trade schools that often leave students in debt. As Victoria explains, “When our students are getting targeted by for-profit trade schools that charge four times the amount of community college, that is something we need to stop.”

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The Bigger Picture: A System Designed for Flexibility

Victoria’s work underscores the critical connection between agency and economic mobility. Students who are empowered to make choices are better equipped to navigate life’s challenges and seize opportunities. BridgeYear’s model combines direct service with scalable solutions, ensuring that the program’s impact extends beyond Houston.

Her reflections also highlight a broader systemic need: redesigning education to reflect the diverse realities of students’ lives. Instead of asking kids, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” we should encourage exploration and experimentation. After all, Nicole reflected, “I know 45-year-olds who don’t know what they want to be when they grow up.”

Key Takeaways for Educators and Policymakers

1. Listen to Students: Their goals and challenges should inform their educational pathways.
2. Redesign Success Metrics: Expand definitions of success to include trade schools, certifications, and other viable alternatives.
3. Promote Hands-On Learning: Programs like the Career Test Drive can transform how students engage with education.

Conclusion

Victoria’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we prioritize agency and economic mobility in education. By providing students with choices and exposing them to diverse career opportunities, BridgeYear is not only transforming lives but also challenging the status quo.

To learn more about Victoria Chen’s inspiring work and the innovative ideas reshaping education, tune into the latest episode of Pitch Playground. Let’s reimagine what education can be and empower every student to forge their own path.