In a world where nearly eight out of 10 graduates feel
unprepared for life after high school, new technology presents an
unprecedented opportunity to bridge this gap. Robyn Mussler, founder of Connect-IT 360, a
pioneering nonprofit organization dedicated to youth empowerment
through tech education, shares how her organization is reshaping
the landscape of traditional learning. Join Karla Jo Helms on the Disruption Interruption
podcast to explore this revolution in critical thinking,
creativity, and real-world problem-solving.
TAMPA
BAY, Fla., June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Career
and technology education, engaging 8.3 million high school students
in 2020-2021, enhances graduation rates, prepares students for
careers and technical degrees, and integrates hands-on training and
practical academic applications to promote school attendance and
active learning, reflecting its role as a crucial educational
reform tool. (1) Karla Jo Helms
(KJ), host of the Disruption Interruption podcast, and Robyn Mussler, a dynamic leader with over three
decades of experience in software solutions and global business
optimization, engage in a hopeful conversation on her inspiration
and vision for Connect-IT 360.
"Kids are often taught in a yes-no
checklist manner, which doesn't reflect the complexities of
real-world problem-solving. Our goal is to encourage them to be
creators," Mussler explains.
Mussler founded Connect-IT 360 to enhance traditional education
by nurturing critical thinking and creativity among students,
driven by her personal experiences and inspired by her sister
Susie. Her insights are particularly revealing in a context where
more and more young people feel like the traditional educational
system is failing them. According to a survey from 2023, 56% of
adults believe a 4-year college is not worth the cost. (2) A
previous version of the same report revealed that 75% of graduates
feel unprepared for life after high school. (3)
Mussler's approach stems from her recognition of the limitations
of current educational systems. "Kids are often taught in a yes-no
checklist manner, which doesn't reflect the complexities of
real-world problem-solving," she explains. "Our goal is to
encourage them to be creators, exploring and discussing their
findings, and understanding the broader impact of their actions on
life and community."
Empowering Students Through Human-Centered Design and Real-World
Innovation
Connect IT 360's flagship program, Next Gen Tech 360, emphasizes a
human-centered design approach to empower students to create
products with genuine customer value and improved user experience.
According to Musler, the program also cultivates essential teamwork
and perspective-taking skills vital for success in today's
professional landscape.
Reflecting on the program's origins, Musler acknowledged the gap
between traditional education and industry demands. This
recognition spurred the creation of a robust training curriculum
that integrates real-world challenges with technical skills
development, mirroring the format of competitive pitch events like
"tech shark tanks."
The program's impact goes beyond technical skills. "The
transformation for the kids is magical. They realize they can do
it. If something doesn't work out, they try again in a different
way," Musler said.
Next Gen Tech 360 Expansion
Next Gen Tech 360 plans to expand its impact with the launch of
Innovate 360, a year-round boot camp that introduces middle and
high school students to the concept of ideation. This initiative
will precede a revamped cohort program, featuring smaller, more
frequent sessions to enhance student engagement and learning
outcomes.
Mussler outlines ambitious plans to scale Innovate 360
nationally. "Curiosity is the fundamental ingredient for disruptive
innovation," Mussler states. "Understanding how things work and how
people interpret them is key to driving meaningful change."
Links:
Disrupting Tech Leaders of Tomorrow with Robyn Mussler:
https://omny.fm/shows/disruption-interruption/disrupting-tech-leaders-of-tomorrow-with-robyn-mus
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynmussler/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rockinrobyn018?lang=en
Company Website: https://connectit360.org/
Company LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/connectit360/
Disruption Interruption is the podcast where you will hear from
today's biggest Industry Disruptors. Learn what motivated them to
bring about innovation and how they overcame opposition to
adoption.
Disruption Interruption can be listened to in Apple's
App Store and Spotify.
About Disruption InterruptionTM:
Disruption is happening on an unprecedented scale, impacting all
manner of industries— MedTech, Finance, IT, eCommerce, shipping,
logistics, and more—and COVID has moved their timelines up a full
decade or more. But WHO are these disruptors and when did they say,
"THAT'S IT! I'VE HAD IT!"? Time to Disrupt and Interrupt with host
Karla Jo "KJ" Helms, veteran communications disruptor. KJ
interviews badasses who are disrupting their industries and
altering economic networks that have become antiquated with an
establishment resistant to progress. She delves into uncovering
secrets from industry rebels and quiet revolutionaries that uncover
common traits—and not-so-common—that are changing our economic
markets… and lives. Visit the world's key pioneers that persist to
success, despite arrows in their backs at
http://www.disruption-interruption.com.
About Robyn Mussler
Robyn Mussler is the Principal
Consultant and CEO of Resolution Management Inc., an IT and
Business Consulting firm, and the Founder of Connect IT 360, a
non-profit organization dedicated to teaching youth essential life
skills. Inspired by her sister Susie, who had Down Syndrome, Robyn
founded Connect IT 360 with the mission to create opportunities for
a brighter future for everyone. Robyn is also the author and chair
of the award-winning Next Generation Tech (NGT) program. Her
career, which spans 30 years, has established her as an innovative
leader in IT, specializing in building software solutions and
streamlining business operations globally. Her clientele ranges
from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups, reflecting her versatility
and expertise. Recently, Robyn expanded her NGT program through her
non-profit to reach communities nationwide, aiming to nurture the
next generation of creators and leaders. She holds a BS in
Management Information Systems, an MBA, and certifications in ITIL
and Six Sigma. Additionally, Robyn has lived and studied in
South America and Europe, enriching her global perspective and
approach to business and technology.
About Karla Jo Helms
Karla Jo Helms is the Chief
Evangelist and Anti-PR® Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™.
Karla Jo learned firsthand how
unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the
line — and how the control of public opinion often determines
whether one company is happily chosen, or another is brutally
rejected. Being an alumnus of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys,
private investigators, and the media to help restore companies of
goodwill into the good graces of public opinion — Karla Jo operates on the ethic of getting it
right the first time, not relying on second chances and doing what
it takes to excel. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how
the PR industry itself has lost its way, and how, in the right
hands, corporations can harness the power of Anti-PR to drive
markets and impact market perception.
References
1. Rix, Kate. "The Benefits of Career and Technical Education
Programs for High Schoolers | K-12 Schools | U.S. News." U.S. News
and World Report, 27 Dec. 2022,
usnews.com/education/k12/articles/the-benefits-of-career-and-technical-education-programs-for-high-schoolers.
2. Education at a Crossroads - 2023 POST-GRADUATION READINESS
REPORT. Sept. 2023,
resources.youscience.com/rs/806-BFU-539/images/2023_PostGraduationReadinessReport_PartOne.pdf.
3. Hornbuckle, Molly. "Post-Graduation Readiness Report - How
Prepared Are High School Graduates for Their next Step?"
YouScience, 28 Nov. 2022,
youscience.com/post-graduation-readiness-report/.
Media Inquiries:
Karla Jo Helms
JOTO PR™
727-777-4619
jotopr.com
Media Contact
Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™,
727-777-4629, khelms@jotopr.com, jotopr.com
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