Ripples@Work Ventures Explained
Welcome to the Ripples@Work (R@W) Venture-Learning Journey—a meticulously designed roadmap that guides aspiring young entrepreneurs from the inception of an idea to the final assessment of the venture’s potential.
It may sound surprising that the final step of the journey is not a final product but an assessment of the learning venture’s potential. But think about it—can we realistically expect a startup venture to become a fully-functional business in a ten-week, semester-long project? Considering the ongoing discussions about the need for education to adopt more realistic learning environments, it’s clear that our current view on learning falls short of reality. If the assessment of the learning venture is promising and the team is eager to continue working on their startup idea, further arrangements would be made to allow for this realization.
In R@W, we are committed to being honest with our young participants when introducing them to real-life challenges.
We acknowledge that STEM competency is only half the journey in preparing them to navigate a complex and unpredictable world.
It’s like preparing to climb a mountain with the latest mountaineering gadgets—solar power stations, smartwatches, neural earbuds, ultra-sensitive cameras, and more. You might know everything about how these devices work in theory, but using technology in a controlled classroom or laboratory setting is vastly different from using it in extreme, real-world situations. You might be an expert in operating these tools in a predictable environment, but you could struggle to know what to do with them when collaborating closely with others and thinking on the fly under stress.
The R@W holistic approach ensures participants are well-prepared for real-world challenges and incorporates the following job dynamics:
People never work alone. Even freelancers need to create reliable networks and interact with others in a globalized society, recognizing personal and cultural differences.
Job dynamics are changing rapidly. The most reliable skills in such an environment are knowing your strengths and how to apply them to learn new things and leverage your unique abilities.
Advancements in AI continue to reshape the digital landscape. It is increasingly important for individuals to build communities of like-minded people and create their own audiences. With the internet poised for significant restructuring, traditional online dominance in the business world may diminish. Establishing strong, engaged communities can provide stability and influence in this evolving environment, ensuring that individuals and businesses can navigate these changes effectively.
The dominance of large factories and major job providers may decline due to advancements in AI and 3D printing. These technologies will enable individuals and small businesses to create local production facilities, satisfying the demands of their communities more efficiently. This means we need to equip our students with the skills to identify the needs of those around them, including needs that people may not even realize they have. By developing this ability and combining it with technological savvy, students can create opportunities for themselves and achieve job stability.
