Culturally-relevant Career Readiness with Schools That Can

Nov 3

angela_r_howard (00:01.994)

All right, hello, Jasmine and Amy. Thank you so much for joining the podcast. I'm so excited that you both have decided to join us today. Thank you for taking the time. Yes, so excited to be here with you.

jazmine_mercado (00:15.686)

Yes, so excited to be here with you.

angela_r_howard (00:18.014)

Yeah, and you thank you for having us. Yes. Wonderful to be invited. Yes. No, I am so honored that you you're taking the time. I know you can you could be doing a lot of things and you both are I'm going to allow you both to introduce yourselves, but I know you both are coming to us from an organization called Schools That Can. And I'm going to allow you to provide that introduction. But the reason why I felt like this was such a

amy_treadwell (00:18.857)

Thank you. Thank you for having us. Wonderful to be invited.

angela_r_howard (00:49.688)

conversation between the three of us is because what you all are working on at schools that can is really about bridging skills very early on and skills of youth and bridging that into the workplace. And I think that's a really powerful message around how do we future-proof, build capabilities in the workplace, but also create equity.

Jasmine and Amy, when we were kind of prepping for this conversation, we talked a lot about equity and how are we creating opportunities for folks to...

build these capabilities, both soft skills and hard skills. I wouldn't call them soft skills. I'll call them human skills, because I know soft skills sometimes has a weird connotation, but it's actually like they're like the hardest skills, really, so I'll let you both. They are the hardest skills. Yeah. And they're also the skills that we find that many times keep you from actually entering the workplace.

amy_treadwell (01:36.417)

Yes.

amy_treadwell (01:44.193)

They are the hardest skills. And they're also the skills that we find that many times keep you from actually entering the workplace, that you can't even get to the next level because those, you know, the skills aren't there.

angela_r_howard (01:52.482)

that you can't even get to the next level because those, you know, the skills aren't there. Yeah, yeah. So Amy, if you could maybe start with your introduction, who you are, what you do at schools that can, and what makes you human. Sure, oh that's a lot.

amy_treadwell (02:09.665)

Sure, ooh, that's a lot. Okay, I'm a long time educator. And so I've taught many grades and started my career in Chicago Public Schools as an elementary school teacher. And I've taught most grades in the elementary area. I've been an instructional coach. I have been an equity leader within the district. And I've worked for several nonprofits all around leadership.

angela_r_howard (02:12.782)

educator and so I've taught many grades and started my career in Chicago Public Schools as an elementary school teacher and I've taught most grades in the elementary area. I've been an instructional coach, I have been an equity leader within the district and I've worked for several nonprofits all around

leadership and coaching in schools. My focus, I think, is really on equity, which is what drew me to Schools That Can, and the work that I'm doing there now is directing our programs and supporting our programs that are really lie, that the essence of them lie in creating equitable conditions for students. So moving from

amy_treadwell (02:39.361)

and coaching in schools. My focus, I think, is really on equity, which is what drew me to Schools That Can. And the work that I'm doing there now is directing our programs and supporting our programs that really lie, that the essence of them lie in creating equitable conditions for students. So moving from education to employment.

angela_r_howard (03:05.41)

education to employment and giving students more opportunities there. So that's the first couple questions and then I think you asked me what makes me human. Yes. And so I think right now a lot of what I'm thinking about in terms of the work that I'm doing is about humanity and really thinking about others humanity and their whole humanity.

amy_treadwell (03:07.857)

and giving students more opportunities there. So that's the first couple of questions. And then I think you asked me, what makes me human? And so I think right now, a lot of what I'm thinking about in terms of the work that I'm doing is about humanity and really thinking about others' humanity and their whole humanity.

angela_r_howard (03:34.794)

And I'm doing a lot of work right now in developing professional learning communities that focus on bias and really anti-bias, anti-racism in schools and thinking about as we as educators and humans, how do we become less biased? Dr. Beverly.

amy_treadwell (03:34.889)

angela_r_howard (04:00.61)

tatum daniels talks yet they could be a few t

amy_treadwell (04:04.985)

Daniels Tatum, I think. She talks about the idea that we all breathe this smog that's in the United States and that we have no choice but to breathe the smog because that's the only air that there is to breathe. But because of that, we all are breathing in bias. And so we have to be able to recognize that in ourselves. And that can keep us from seeing others.

angela_r_howard (04:30.544)

seeing others whole humanity, seeing others as whole people. And so I'm thinking a lot about that and thinking about our marginalized students. And how do we really focus on anti-bias? Wonderful, thank you for sharing that, Amy. What about you, Jasper? Yes, so.

amy_treadwell (04:31.837)

whole humanity, seeing others as whole people. And so I'm thinking a lot about that and thinking about our marginalized students and how do we really focus on anti-bias.

amy_treadwell (04:51.969)

Sure.

jazmine_mercado (04:54.331)

Yes, so I am Jasmine. I am a program manager with schools that can here in Chicago. So I am the one working on the ground with a lot of our youth and a lot of the students that we work with. So a lot of workshops, a lot of career building, a lot of conversations around our future and where our young people see themselves.

angela_r_howard (04:55.714)

I am Jasmine. I am a program manager with schools that can here in Chicago, so I'm the one working on the ground.

students that we work with. So a lot of workshops, a lot of career building, a lot of conversations around you know our future and where our young people see themselves within our future and career building skills. So really happy that I'm able to work on the ground with students with schools that can.

jazmine_mercado (05:21.81)

within our future and career building skills. So really happy that I'm able to work on the ground with students with schools that can. And what makes me human is I think the just natural connection and the empathy that I feel when it comes to not only connecting as a community, whether that's with students, whether that's with others, like having a conversation like this.

angela_r_howard (05:31.49)

And what makes me human is I think the just natural connection and the empathy that I feel when it comes to not only connecting as a community, whether that's you know with students, whether that's you know with others like having a conversation like this. I think not only through community conversations, connecting, I think we're really able to create change and really empower

jazmine_mercado (05:50.562)

I think not only through community, conversations, connecting, I think we're really able to create change and really empower others, not only through, you know, I think our own lived experiences and, you know, having conversations like that. But I think, you know, we're really able to learn and really connect through that and really learn from others. So I think, you know, that not only makes me human, but I think that also, you know,

angela_r_howard (06:01.835)

I think our own lived experiences and having conversations like that, but I think...

you know, we're really able to learn and really connect through that and really learn from others. So I think, you know, that not only makes me human, but I think that also, you know, makes me able to learn and, you know, continue to grow as a human, which I think is so, so important. So, yeah. I love that. Well, you both are doing some great work and, you know, I wanna open up with a question

jazmine_mercado (06:19.974)

makes me able to learn and continue to grow as a human, which I think is so important. So, yeah.

angela_r_howard (06:37.424)

basic question, but I think our listeners are probably thinking, you know, why do we need this bridge? Why do we need to create these career pathways? And so, Amy, I'll start with you. What is the gap right now? Not just from an equity standpoint, but also from a skill gap perspective? Sure. You know what? I appreciate the question.

amy_treadwell (06:58.689)

Sure. You know what, I appreciate the question. So I think for me, one of the things that I think a lot about is the opportunities for students to be able to not only enter the career pathway space, but to enter career pathways that they don't necessarily know exist. There are, you know,

angela_r_howard (07:05.898)

I think for me, one of the things that I think a lot about is the opportunities for students to be able to not only enter the career pathway space, but to enter career pathways that they don't necessarily know exist. We're in a space and time where there are a lot of open positions that our students are not able

amy_treadwell (07:27.101)

We're in a space and time where there are a lot of open positions that our students are not able to access because they, and it's not because they don't, they A, don't know that those kinds of positions exist, and B, they haven't had the training to be able to apply for those kinds of positions. And that's across the United States. And so making sure that A, that we're giving our students these skills.

angela_r_howard (07:35.892)

access because they, and it's not because they don't, A, don't know that those kinds of positions exist, and B, they haven't had the training to be able to apply for those kinds of positions. And that's across the United States. And so, making sure that A, that we're giving our students the skills that are in career pathways that are different from what the typical school is preparing students for,

amy_treadwell (07:57.193)

that are in career pathways that are different from what the typical school is preparing students for. But oftentimes it's also about helping them to find the careers that are in organizations that they may not typically think of or see themselves as being part of. So understanding all of how.

angela_r_howard (08:05.858)

But oftentimes it's also about helping them to find the careers that are in organizations that they may not typically think of or see themselves as being part of. So understanding all of how.

General Mills operates. Okay, so you may know General Mills as an organization that's They put out lots of food across the country, but they also have a huge

amy_treadwell (08:23.813)

of General Mills operates. Okay, so you may know General Mills as an organization that's food-based. They put out lots of food across the country, but they also have a huge cyber security program where they have to watch and be aware of their, you know, the food that they're bringing in and make sure that their systems aren't being attacked, right, like you don't think about.

angela_r_howard (08:36.922)

um... cyber security program uh... where they're where they have to watch and be aware of their you know that the food that they're bringing in and make sure that you know that their systems aren't being attacked right like you don't think about those kinds of things but there's lots of jobs that are in organizations like that students don't necessarily know about so uh... providing those opportunities to students is really important uh...

amy_treadwell (08:51.977)

those kinds of things, but there's lots of jobs that are in organizations like that, that students don't necessarily know about. So providing those opportunities to students is really important. One of our pathways, again, is about one of the main ones that we're working on right now is around cybersecurity, to link to that equity piece. Because of the fact that cybersecurity is like,

angela_r_howard (09:06.15)

One of our pathways, again, is about one of the main ones that we're working on right now is around cybersecurity, to link to that equity piece.

because of the fact that cybersecurity is like in the high 90s in terms of being male and in terms of being white and male. And so supporting, broadening that and giving students opportunities is one of the things that we're thinking about. And Jasmine, kind of a question for you because we were talking earlier about this and your kind of boots on the ground, working with the youth and,

amy_treadwell (09:22.021)

in the high 90s in terms of being male and in terms of being white and male. And so supporting broadening that and giving students opportunities is one of the things that we're thinking about.

angela_r_howard (09:46.82)

marginalized communities, what are you seeing as the reasoning behind just the awareness element of this, right? Because Amy, you mentioned a lot of this is just like, I was never taught that, you know...

jazmine_mercado (09:56.49)

Thank you.

angela_r_howard (10:01.53)

cybersecurity was something I could, I don't even have the confidence, I don't even have the knowledge to know that I could do that. So Jasmine, with marginalized communities, what do you think is the root cause of that or perhaps some barriers to the awareness element? Yeah, I think not only the educational aspect, so letting our young people know.

jazmine_mercado (10:07.663)

Thank you.

Mm-hmm.

jazmine_mercado (10:21.442)

Yeah, I think not only the educational aspect, so letting our young people know, hey, there is this pathway in cybersecurity. Hey, there is this pathway, you know, in medical tech. Like, there are these other pathways than just your traditional, when I grow up, I want to be a doctor or I want to be a lawyer, which I think kind of, you know, are not only fed to us, but, you know, actively talked about in the classroom. But I think beyond that, I think a lot of our young people...

angela_r_howard (10:26.654)

Hey, there is this pathway in cybersecurity. Hey, there is this pathway, you know, in medical tech. Like there are these other pathways than just your traditional, when I grow up, I wanna be a doctor or I wanna be a lawyer, which I think kind of, you know, are not only fed to us, but you know, actively talked about in the classroom. But I think beyond that, I think a lot of our-

young people, you know, have the natural hard skills that go along with what's needed to be successful, you know, in a pathway like cybersecurity, but that's just not a lot. Right. So for example, if I'm, you know, a sophomore at my high school and I'm on the basketball team, and I'm super passionate about it, you know, I really, you know, want to go down that.

jazmine_mercado (10:50.47)

you know, have the natural hard skills that go along with what's needed to be successful, you know, in a pathway like cybersecurity, but that's just not unlocked, right? So, for example, if I'm, you know, a sophomore at my high school and I'm on the basketball team and I'm super passionate about it, you know, I really, you know, want to go down that field, you know, I kind of have blinders on, I don't really see any other path for me, you know.

angela_r_howard (11:11.79)

field, you know, I kind of have blinders on and I don't really see any other path for me. You know, the NBA or, you know, other...

jazmine_mercado (11:18.482)

the NBA or other organizations within basketball or sports, even like the NFL, need and require a cybersecurity team and require skills to not only keep them uplifted but keep them running, right? And so how are we introducing these conversations to our young people in schools, to show them that there is.

angela_r_howard (11:19.822)

organizations within you know basketball or sports, you know, even like the NFL, you know need and require You know a cybersecurity team and acquire, you know skills to not only keep them, you know uplifted but keep them running right and so how are we Introducing these conversations to our young people in schools You know to show them that there is you know a wide variety of

jazmine_mercado (11:45.67)

you know, a wide variety of opportunities. And you know, you have the skills. If you're really passionate about, you know, basketball, you know, maybe, hey, here's a pathway. I bet you didn't even think about that. You can still be connected to, you know, your passion. So I think kind of, you know, changing the conversation and kind of, you know, turning it back on them and seeing what they're passionate about and what skills they already, you know, possess and just amplify.

angela_r_howard (11:46.542)

opportunities and you know you have the skills if you're really passionate about you know basketball, you know, maybe hey Here's a pathway. I bet you didn't even think about that. You can still be connected to you know, your passion So I think kind of you know changing the conversation and kind of you know Turning it back on them and seeing what they're passionate about and what skills they already, you know possess and just amplifying them

And Angela, I think just to build off that a little bit, our education to employment pathway is also about broadening the conversation beyond college. That it doesn't mean that the college is the only pathway.

amy_treadwell (12:12.337)

And Angela, I think just to build off that a little bit, our education to employment pathway is also about broadening the conversation beyond college. That it doesn't mean that you, you know, the college is the only pathway that you might start in your career and then go and take some classes midway through or take some

angela_r_howard (12:27.522)

that you might start in your career and then go and take some classes midway through, or take some certification programming that's going to help you in the pathway that you're working toward. And even for students that are on their way to college.

amy_treadwell (12:36.137)

some certification programming that's going to help you in the pathway that you're working toward. And even for students that are on their way to college, helping them to hone what they're going to study when they're there is really important. And helping them to find schools that really match their interests and their ability as opposed to just picking a school.

angela_r_howard (12:48.002)

Helping them to hone what they're going to study when they're there is really important. And helping them to find schools that really match their interests and their ability, as opposed to just picking a school. So we're really trying to broaden this idea that the only pathway to success is through college.

amy_treadwell (13:04.645)

So we're really trying to broaden this idea that the only pathway to success is through college. We often find that even when students do have the opportunity to attend college, that schools are really good at teaching us how to do school, but little else. So we graduate, we've got this wonderful piece of paper, we've got our little mortarboard hat on, and

angela_r_howard (13:11.626)

we often find that even when students do have the opportunity to attend college that schools are really good at teaching us how to do school but little else so we graduate we've got this wonderful piece of paper we've got our little mortarboard hat on and students find themselves in the position of being like okay now what

amy_treadwell (13:34.313)

Students find themselves in the position of being like, okay, now what? And so we're trying to help our students really start to think about that much, much earlier so that they're making more informed decisions all along their path.

angela_r_howard (13:39.106)

And so we're trying to help our students really start to think about that much, much earlier so that they're making more informed decisions all along their path.

Yeah, I that's really interesting because And I am right on because I think also just you know kind of putting my you know from my vantage point from a business perspective in the Trend we're seeing around what work is becoming. I mean we're going through this huge massive

change right now, which I think people who are currently in the workforce are starting to think about, like, man, freelancing or being an entrepreneur is looking pretty good right about now. Why, you know, that degree that I got, beneficial, but, you know, truly getting to the meat of the passion that I have. So I think just personally, you know, growing up, I was never given, you know, I was, it was always, you go to school, you get a job.

to not get any debt in the process because that's going to be debilitating. But nobody ever told me like, hey, you can be an entrepreneur, you can design your own path. You can kind of pick and choose the experiences that you want to bring together to create the career that you want. And so I think there's a societal element to this. A traditional...

amy_treadwell (14:56.05)

Mm-hmm.

angela_r_howard (15:09.91)

step process that I think is starting to break down, which I think is good because now you're introducing people to the world of entrepreneurship, trade, you know, freelancing, things like that. So that's kind of another piece that kind of just came to mind when you're talking, Amy. Yeah, that's very true. And I absolutely think that...

amy_treadwell (15:20.178)

Oh, yeah, sorry.

amy_treadwell (15:28.621)

Mm-hmm. Yeah, that's very true. That, and I absolutely think that students are much more open to the idea of being an entrepreneur than I would have ever been starting out. And I also think that it's important for students to be able to have this broad perspective of what's possible. That even though you're starting here, it doesn't mean that that's not where you're going to be.

angela_r_howard (15:36.55)

students are much more open to the idea of being an entrepreneur than I would have ever been starting out. And I also think that it's important for students to be able to have this broad perspective of what's possible. Sure. That even though you're starting here, it doesn't mean that that's not where, you know, that you can't still end up over here. And so giving kids more than one

amy_treadwell (15:58.153)

you know, that you can't still end up over here. And so giving kids more than one, like a continuum, I guess, is the best way I can think of it right now, of ideas about what's possible for their next steps. You know, that this might lead to this, that might lead to this. And so I think that's one of our biggest hurdles right now is helping.

jazmine_mercado (16:03.722)

Thank you.

angela_r_howard (16:06.294)

like a continuum, I guess, is the best way I can think of it right now, of ideas about what's possible for their next steps. You know, that this might lead to this, that might lead to this. And so I think that's one of our biggest hurdles right now, is helping our students think a little bit more broadly, is kind of what I heard Jasmine sharing a little bit about. Would you agree with that?

amy_treadwell (16:26.545)

Helping our students think a little bit more broadly is kind of what I heard Jasmine sharing a little bit about. Would you agree with that?

angela_r_howard (16:35.246)

Yeah, and I think I think when in having conversations with, you know, our young people on the ground, I think even from like my upbringing to like talking to them, you know, now I think just having that open and broad.

jazmine_mercado (16:35.907)

Yeah, and I think when in having conversations with, you know, our young people on the ground, I think even from like my upbringing to like talking to them, you know, now, I think just having that open and broad, you know, mindset when it comes to it, I think, you know, they aren't afraid to fail. They aren't afraid to say, hey, I want to start my own business. There isn't a clear path there, but you know, I'm going to try and it's okay.

angela_r_howard (16:50.438)

when it comes toward I think they aren't afraid to fail they aren't afraid to say hey I want to start my own business there isn't a clear path there but you know I'm gonna try and it's okay you know if I fail or you know I have this you know job now

jazmine_mercado (17:03.294)

you know, if I fail or, you know, I have this, you know, job now or I'm thinking about this, you know, career path in, you know, this field now. But, you know, if I'm in it for two or three years and, you know, maybe it doesn't fit me, maybe I'm, you know, not as passionate as I thought I was, you know, it's okay to change my mind. It's okay to, you know, have that transition and kind of have, you know, that switch. And I think, you know, when we were talking earlier about, you know, hard skills and human skills,

angela_r_howard (17:08.226)

thinking about this career path in this field now, but if I'm in it for two or three years and maybe it doesn't fit me, maybe I'm not as passionate as I thought I was, it's okay to change my mind. It's okay to have that transition and kind of have.

you know that switch and I think you know when we were talking earlier about you know hard skills and human skills I think you know that is something that's starting to just naturally become you know instilled in you know our youth and I think just in society you know in general whereas you know when I was you know growing up in

jazmine_mercado (17:32.526)

I think that is something that's starting to just naturally become instilled in our youth, and I think just in society in general. Whereas when I was growing up, it wasn't so, it's okay to fail, it's okay not to go down the traditional four-year path to college. And I think it's starting to change, and I think it's good that our young people are just picking up on that and just kind of rolling with it.

angela_r_howard (17:45.738)

you know, wasn't so, you know, it's okay to fail. It's okay, you know, not to go down the traditional four-year path to college. And I, you know, I think, you know, it's starting to change and I think it's good that, you know, our young people are just picking up on that and just kind of rolling with it. So it's really empowering, you know, to see that.

jazmine_mercado (18:02.066)

It's really empowering to see that happen.

angela_r_howard (18:05.966)

Yeah, I have to say I am very optimistic about this emerging generation. I, you know, I consider myself an elder millennial. I'm kind of at the cusp there of, you know, I'm a millennial, but I still feel like I'm maybe a little closer to Gen X just from a, you know, I don't know, stylistic perspective. So I just, I feel like there's such...

amy_treadwell (18:14.069)

Yeah.

angela_r_howard (18:34.63)

optimism with the, if I think about future leadership that's emerging and the

just the amazing passion around humanity. And it ties right into our work, right? Because we know, we're both working in two different systems that connect, but that also have a huge impact on society and communities and humanity. So if you could, it's thinking about the audience here, right, again, HR folks are probably listening, business leaders, executives, founders.

amy_treadwell (18:49.089)

Mm-hmm.

angela_r_howard (19:11.918)

What's the message to them about this emerging talent? What do they need to know to future proof their leadership, to future proof their organizations? What should they get ready for? What's coming to them? Maybe, Amy, you could start this time. Sure. I think about the idea of innovation. And I also think one of the things

amy_treadwell (19:28.07)

and then, right away.

amy_treadwell (19:32.513)

Sure, I think about the idea of innovation. And I also think one of the, this idea of humanity with our youth that our youth are going to demand to be seen as their whole selves and to be seen as human. That this space of like working to your fingers fall off and working 14 hours.

angela_r_howard (19:40.226)

this idea of humanity with our youth that...

Our youth are going to demand to be seen as their whole selves and to be seen as human. That this space of working to your fingers fall off and working 14 hours is not something that is sustainable and it's not something that our youth are looking to do over time. It's one of the things that makes me most passionate about the work at schools that can.

amy_treadwell (19:59.301)

is not something that is sustainable, and it's not something that our youth are looking to do over time. It's one of the things that makes me most passionate about the work at schools that can, that oftentimes we see black and brown folks are having to work the jobs with the longest hours, with the hardest tasks.

angela_r_howard (20:15.158)

folks are having to work the jobs with the longest hours, with the hardest tasks, and giving our youth opportunities to have skills that allow them to see themselves and be able to have...

amy_treadwell (20:23.093)

giving our youth opportunities to have skills that allow them to see themselves and be able to have skills and careers and pathways that don't require them to work that kind of hard labor is really important. And I'm not saying that there isn't a space for hard work. What I'm saying is that the jobs of yesteryear are

angela_r_howard (20:32.57)

skills and careers and pathways that don't require them to work that kind of hard labor is really important. And I'm not saying that there isn't a space for hard work. What I'm saying is, is that the jobs of yesteryear are the factory jobs that just, you know, that just sort of like drive the humanity out of you, right? The jobs of yesteryear are those jobs

jazmine_mercado (20:43.263)

Thank you.

amy_treadwell (20:52.661)

the factory jobs that just, you know, that just sort of like drive the humanity out of you, right? The jobs of yesteryear are those jobs that don't allow you to be your whole human self, that, you know, require you to fit into our box here at XYZ Company instead of, you know...

angela_r_howard (21:02.604)

that don't allow you to be your whole human self, that require you to fit into our box here at XYZ Company, instead of looking for diversity and looking for change and looking to, because that's what brings innovation. And companies, we can even see in the pandemic, companies that weren't able to innovate and fast are gone.

amy_treadwell (21:16.469)

looking for diversity and looking for change and looking to, because that's what brings innovation. And companies, we can even see in the pandemic, companies that weren't able to innovate and fast are gone. I mean, you had to spin on a dime in order to survive. And so, and you survive because of your human capital, because the folks that you've hired,

angela_r_howard (21:31.902)

I mean you had to spin on a dime in order to survive. And so, and you survive because of your human capital. Because the folks that you've hired are like, okay, we could do it this way. Okay, let's try this, let's try that. To Jasmine's point, this idea of being okay to fail. Like I did not grow up that way. I grew up with you better be successful, you better get there, you better.

amy_treadwell (21:44.009)

are like, okay, we could do it this way. Okay, let's try this, let's try that. To Jasmine's point, this idea of being okay to fail. Like I did not grow up that way. I grew up with you better be successful, you better get there, you better do what they say, you better get that job, you better hang on to it. Instead of this idea that let me try this and let me see what's possible is sort of a new way of thinking even for me. But you know, what we've...

angela_r_howard (21:58.358)

do what they say, you better get that job, you better hang on to it. Instead of this idea that let me try this and let me see what's possible, is sort of a new way of thinking even for me. But what we know is that when you fail, you learn, right? And that allows you to do the next thing even that much better. So I would say workplace folks, get ready.

amy_treadwell (22:13.673)

What we know is that when you fail, you learn, right? And that allows you to do the next thing even that much better. So I would say workplace folks, get ready. They're going to demand way more than what the last generation demanded.

jazmine_mercado (22:22.756)

Mm-hmm.

angela_r_howard (22:27.826)

I'm going to demand way more than what you know.

jazmine_mercado (22:28.532)

Yeah.

angela_r_howard (22:31.542)

Yeah, quality of life. I think what I'm hearing is just quality of life and how work fits into that. And you can't look at it as separate. It is a part of quality of life. Your work is a part of your holistic being. You bring it home with you. I always say, as leaders, it's our responsibility to send happier, healthier humans home. And if you're not doing that, you are impacting whole communities, whole families, whole societies. And then times that by...

excuse my language, but all the other city leaders that may be out there, you know, that has a ripple effect on.

our humanity. So I feel like if, and that's why I'm so passionate about this upcoming generation, because they have the opportunity to change that story and say, yeah, I'm not going to work for a company that doesn't have a purpose that's aligned with mine, or I'm not going to work for a company that I can't connect what I'm doing to my purpose. The tables are turning for sure. Yeah. And I think, you know, beyond that, not only, you know, leadership.

jazmine_mercado (23:32.227)

Yeah, and I think beyond that, not only leadership being open to change and just being open-minded to new ideas, but I think even being able to kind of flip that and look within your staff or look within the people that are working for you and see if they have any innovative or new ideas on how to...

angela_r_howard (23:36.016)

being open to change and just being open-minded to new ideas. But I think even being able to kind of flip that and look within your staff or look within the people that are working for you.

you know, see if they have any innovative or new ideas on how to, you know, do something, you know, from personal experience, I've definitely worked in, you know, environments where, you know, raising my hand and saying, oh, have we thought about doing it this way? Or have we thought about looking at it in this life? You know, was it always, you know, looked upon or wasn't always, you know, a good and welcome, you know, thoughts? And so I think, you know, being able to almost flip the leadership and kind of, you know,

jazmine_mercado (23:56.018)

you know, do something, you know, from personal experience, I've definitely worked in, you know, environments where, you know, raising my hand and saying, oh, have we thought about doing it this way? Or have we thought about looking at it in this light? You know, wasn't always, you know, looked upon or wasn't always, you know, a good and welcomed, you know, thoughts. And so I think, you know, being able to almost flip the leadership and kind of, you know, empower.

angela_r_howard (24:22.456)

empower your staff and empower the people that are working for you to be comfortable and to be able to amplify their voices and bring new thought I think could also be really empowering not only for them, but also could lead to amazing things that you as a leader probably never even thought to do something in a new way. So, yeah.

jazmine_mercado (24:22.962)

you know, your staff and empower the people that, you know, are working for you to be, to being comfortable and to being able to amplify their voices and, you know, bring new thought I think could also be really, you know, empowering not only for them, but also, you know, could lead to, you know, amazing things that you as a leader probably never even thought to do something in a new way. So yeah.

amy_treadwell (24:31.585)

Yeah.

angela_r_howard (24:46.622)

Yeah, I love that. And I mean, gosh, we could dive into any of these topics that we talked about today, but what I'm hearing, you know, generally is there's another piece of support that I think if you think about from a business perspective, I think we're very focused right now on finding talent, right, like everyone wants, like you can't find people, you can't find good people.

So I feel like the reason why this conversation is so important because we all have such a responsibility to be thinking about the pipeline, you know, the youth that is coming in and connecting the educational system with the workplace to make sure they're talking to each other because the workplace may be saying, we need these skills, and then the educational system is teaching these other skills. And I think what's gotten lost in translation over time is more of the human skills.

angela_r_howard (25:46.416)

We teach people how to go to school basically, and it's foundational, but teaches you discipline and some good skills, but how do you make sure that we're future-proofing the pipeline along the way? So it's an important connection. And. That's true.

amy_treadwell (26:04.865)

That's true.

angela_r_howard (26:05.786)

I just, you know, I could talk to you both all day about this topic, and so we definitely need to maybe have you both back, because I can just see very different topics that we can start to delve into, but just to kind of wrap up, I wanted to thank you both for taking the time, for sharing this different perspective that I don't think a lot of business leaders are thinking about. How can one support, support you both?

amy_treadwell (26:36.661)

Well, I'm glad you asked, Angela. So one of the things that we are doing at Schools That Can with our ETE Bridge programming is that we connect our students with professionals in the field. And our goal is to connect our youth with professionals in areas that they are most interested in.

angela_r_howard (26:37.226)

I'm glad you asked, Angela. So one of the things that we are doing at...

schools that can with our ETE bridge programming is that we connect our students with professionals in the field and our goal is to connect our youth with professionals in areas that they are most interested in so we do a lot of networking so giving students an opportunity to really talk to professionals that they normally would not have access to

amy_treadwell (27:05.589)

So we do a lot of networking, so giving students an opportunity to really talk to professionals that they normally would not have access to. And so if folks are interested in volunteering, it doesn't take a lot of their time. We would love for you to go to the website. There are opportunities on the website to volunteer, to just jump on for an hour.

angela_r_howard (27:13.952)

And so if folks are interested in volunteering, it doesn't take a lot of their time. We would love for you to go to the website. There are opportunities on the website to volunteer.

to just jump on for an hour, speak to a student about the work that they're doing, and ask some questions of that student. It makes such a difference for our students to actually be able to talk to folks that are in their field.

amy_treadwell (27:32.973)

speak to a student about the work that they're doing and ask some questions of that student. It just, it makes such a difference for our students to actually be able to talk to folks that are in their field.

angela_r_howard (27:50.334)

Wonderful. Well, I would certainly encourage anyone who's listening to please volunteer, help support schools that can. We will provide in the show notes the link to the website and also Jasmine and Amy's contact information in case there's any other questions. But Jasmine or Amy, anything else before we close out for today?

jazmine_mercado (28:17.146)

No, I think, I thank you for having us and having this platform for us to be able to talk and elevate about, you know, what we do. It's so, you know, so, so important. And especially, I really want to emphasize the volunteer aspect. It's all virtual. So wherever you are, you're definitely, you know, welcome to come volunteer with us. And there's definitely, you know, times and, you know, days across our calendar. So.

angela_r_howard (28:17.166)

I think I thank you for having us and having this platform for us to be able to talk and elevate about you know what we do. It's so you know so important and especially I really want to emphasize the volunteer aspect. It's all virtual so wherever you are.

you know, welcome to come volunteer with us. And there's definitely, you know, times and, you know, days across our calendars. So yeah, just thank you for having us. Awesome. Well, Jasmine, Amy, thank you so much. Thank you to schools that can for introducing us and bringing this partnership together. And thank you for all you do. And thanks for being on the podcast. Really appreciate it. Yeah, thank you for having us, Angela. This has been awesome.

jazmine_mercado (28:46.378)

Yeah, just thank you for having us.

amy_treadwell (29:02.081)

Thank you. Thank you for having us, Angela. This has been awesome.

jazmine_mercado (29:04.644)

Yes, thank you.

angela_r_howard (29:06.596)

Thank you.