The Seeds We Plant, The Futures We Build
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to be a “serial dot connector.”
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
Over the past few weeks, I’ve experienced several moments where the connections between the past, present, and future have come into sharp focus—what I like to call “full circle moments.” These moments reaffirm the value of persistence, vision, and the importance of creating opportunities that build a more inclusive future. Here are a few highlights I’d love to share with you and some great resources to keep you up to speed on all things micro-credentials!
Act I: Rahway Public Schools
The first of these moments hit close to home—literally.
I recently came across a story about Rahway Public Schools, my alma mater, where students are receiving new computers through the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program. This milestone for my hometown is particularly meaningful to me because I helped launch Digital Promise over a decade ago. Witnessing my community benefit from a program rooted in my past work is a profound “full circle moment.”
Students and teachers walking the same halls I once did now have access to technology that I could only dream of when I was in their shoes. Back in 1996, my family couldn’t afford a computer, so I built my own from scratch. As a middle schooler (5th/6th grade), this was far from common. I spent weekends at "computer shows," searching for proprietary parts you couldn’t order online (remember ZDO memory?), soldering boards, and tinkering with my “gaming rig” in between scout trips, soccer practice, and episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark.
Seeing today’s students equipped with state-of-the-art technology shows how much has changed—and how much more is possible when the right opportunities are in place. I’m excited to see how the echoes of my past work will continue reverberating in ways I can’t yet imagine.
ACT II: The Brian Lehrer Show (WNYC)
Another connection happened just this morning when I tuned into The Brian Lehrer Show. Today, Brian featured Justin Heck, a research director from Opportunity@Work as part of his 100 Years of 100 Things series. During the conversation, they discussed the power of reducing or eliminating degree requirements from some roles, instead focusing on skills. By focusing on demonstrated skills rather than degrees, employers can unlock a massive talent pool of STARs (individuals who are “Skilled Through Alternate Routes”)—people who possess valuable skills but have been overlooked because of outdated hiring practices.
Growing up just outside of NYC, I’ve been a longtime listener of Brian’s show. Hearing this conversation about non-traditional career pathways resonated deeply with me. After all, my own career began through an alternate route program, transitioning from the laboratory to the classroom as a high school science teacher. During the chat, Heck mentioned that there are 70 million STARs in the U.S., and shifting to skills-based hiring could not only broaden talent pipelines but also drive workforce equity.
My work in micro-credentials is a direct extension of this idea: creating more pathways for people to showcase their skills, regardless of where or how they gained them. It’s another moment where my past experiences perfectly align with the future I’m working to shape, bringing my vision for skills-based pathways into clearer focus.
ACT III: The Harvard Workforce Policy Lunch Chats
“If we don’t have health, we don’t have anything.”
A recent Harvard dialogue between Chike Aguh and Geoffrey Roche shed light on a critical issue: the healthcare sector, which accounts for 20% of the U.S. GDP, is facing a hiring crisis. Roche emphasized that degree requirements and regulations are severely limiting the talent pool, even as the demand for healthcare workers skyrockets. As Aguh put it, “If we don’t have health, we don’t have anything,” underscoring the importance of addressing these challenges. Both leaders called for fresh thinking around workforce solutions, including breaking down barriers that prevent people from entering the sector through non-traditional pathways.
This conversation connects directly to my work in reshaping career pathways. There is a profound need to bridge the gap between skills, opportunities, and the workforce of tomorrow, especially in critical sectors like healthcare. By focusing on skills and competency rather than credentials alone, we can create a more flexible, inclusive workforce capable of meeting the demands of an ever-evolving economy.
These full-circle moments—in healthcare, education, and workforce development—remind me why I do what I do. Each experience connects the dots between where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m headed—building a future where access, recognition, and opportunity are available to everyone.
ACT IV: The Shift to Skills-based goes Hollywood!
The momentum around skills-based recognition has truly taken center stage (literally). A new documentary titled UNTAPPED: Closing America’s Opportunity Gap will debut on Netflix on October 16th. Produced by LeBron James’ SpringHill Company, it follows six young adults participating in a transformative skills-training program with Year Up. This documentary, featuring commentary from Opportunity@Work’s CEO Byron Auguste, sheds light on the challenges and triumphs STARs face as they break through the “paper ceiling”—a powerful metaphor for the barriers that keep millions of skilled individuals from advancing in their careers simply because they lack a degree.
Seeing the STARs movement take such a prominent stage in popular culture is a testament to how far we’ve come. It’s a reminder that the seeds of skills-based hiring and learning that we planted years ago are bearing fruit in profound ways. The conversation about equity, access, and opportunity has gone mainstream, and this is only the beginning.
The Best Time is Now.
As the proverb goes, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." Each of the stories shared in this newsletter reminds us (and reminded me, personally) that the seeds we plant today can shape a better future. Good work takes time and great work requires time Whether it’s providing students with new technology, expanding skills-based hiring, addressing healthcare workforce challenges, or spotlighting STARs on Netflix, the message is clear: now is the time to act. By continuing to plant seeds today, we create opportunities for tomorrow that will resonate for years to come.
What seeds are you planting?
Resources:
Rahway Public Schools & Verizon Innovative Learning
Rahway Students to Receive New Computers: TapInto ArticleThe Brian Lehrer Show (WNYC)
100 Years of 100 Things: Non-College Employment: TranscriptHarvard Workforce Policy Lunch
Healthcare Workforce Solutions: YouTube RecordingUNTAPPED Documentary on Netflix
UNTAPPED: Closing America’s Opportunity Gap premieres October 16th on Netflix.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider:
🕊 Following me or my new company Micro-credential Multiverse on LinkedIn.
💌 Subscribing to my newsletter on LinkedIn to get these posts delivered conveniently to your inbox.
📸 Liking this video and subscribing to our Youtube channel!
🌎 Sharing this article with someone in your network.
