As we move into the new year, in the spirit of new things I’d like to share three bold predictions about 2016. In addition, I’m excited to share some new things I’ll be working on to address what’s coming and help as many people as I can.
Predictions For 2016
#1. Industry Experts Will Serve Their Audiences By Creating and Teaching Their Own Online Courses
What I’m Working On: TheNonprofitPlaybook.com
Online education is still in its early stages of adoption, and many models of learning are being explored. One that I believe will grow hugely in 2016 is the self-paced model of learning new skills from industry experts.
Since writing The Promise of a Pencil, I’ve received thousands of emails from readers asking for a 30-minute phone call to get advice on their nonprofit idea. My guess is someone has asked you, “Do you know how I should start (or grow) a nonprofit?”
Up until now there was nowhere you could send that person. Trust me, I looked. Now it exists at TheNonprofitPlaybook.com and hopefully it will help hundreds of people create their dream.
#2. College Affordability Will Be the Defining Issue for Millennial Voters in the Presidential Election
What I’m Working On: The New Company That’s Coming…
I was fortunate to graduate from a four-year college debt free, but my wife didn’t have that same experience. She was forced to leave school early to start paying back six-figures in student loans, and as soon as we met I saw the crushing burden it created in her life. And the reality is that her experience of debilitating debt is the norm for the American college student, not mine.
While college is great for many students, it is no longer a one-size fits all model that works.
In my opinion, traditional college is a BAD INVESTMENT for most of the students that will enter as freshman this fall (Click to Tweet) considering that most will not finish and yet their debt will trail them for the rest of their life.
In 2016 I’ll be starting a College Alternative for the 21st Century.
I’m excited as hell, and I hope to dedicate at least the next decade of my life to this fight. Stay tuned for more writings and announcements on this as the year progresses.
#3. Snapchat Will Go Mainstream To Moms and Dads
What I’m Working On: Bringing daily lessons learned on Snapchat: @itsAdamBraun
Up until this year, Snapchat was that thing that young teens used and parents couldn’t quite figure out. Marketers have been drooling over the demographics of the platform (see above), but this is the year that the rest of society jumps on board.
I’ll be posting daily stories to share additional insights, lessons learned, and what it’s really like to build a startup from scratch.
If you want to follow along:
1. Screenshot the image above
2. Download Snapchat and go to Add By Snapcode
3. Upload screenshot with image below anywhere on the page
And in case you had your own predictions
Let me know your single biggest prediction for 2016 in the comments below and in doing so you’ll enter a drawing to win a free signed copy of The Promise of a Pencil!
And in case you don’t win the book, you can get a 100% free ebook that I’ve written below:
Mary Vittone
Adam,
I have two daughters, one in college and one about to start. I agree with you about the debt issues and am very concerned for them and others in their situation. What kind of company are you starting? I am anxious to hear about it
Thanks for the inspirational thinking and keeping the dream alive.
Mary
Adam
Stay tuned Mary, will share details by this summer at the latest.
Patrick Devlin
This is really exciting for me to read as it hits on a couple topics that have been on my mind for the last couple years.
Trend #1 – I fully agree. I don’t think we will have any shortage of places to learn (in many cases for free) if you’re self motivated.
Trend #2 – I also agree with you here. I loved college, but I don’t feel like I got the ROI in terms of education. However, because of the way society is set up, that piece of paper with the schools name on it got me a great job out of school. But I am only now learning the value of true financial literacy and the ability to create your own path which aren’t touched on in school at all.
What I’m excited to find out about your new company is how it will overcome the stigma from employers that you’re not producing a traditional 4 year degree. Maybe it will be easy in start-up jobs, but the majority of people are still going to be looking for the big corporate job where the hiring teams will be slow to adjust. How can people showcase their skills that either they self taught online or that they learned from your new alternative? The best I had come up with was some sort of large scale subject matter tests (similar to SAT-2) but everyone knows that standardized tests come up short in a lot of ways.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to hearing what you’ve come up with. Here’s to hoping that you have another inspiring book to write in several years!
Adam
Great questions Patrick, but those ivy tower walls are being lowered. Check out http://www.inc.com/suzanne-lucas/ernst-amp-young-stopped-requiring-degrees-should-you.html
Alexandra Cruz
Hi Adam,
I’m really curious to find out what you will bring up to the world in 2016. You have already help to write so many new stories of Life for childreen in the world in the Pencils of Promise. My predictions for 2016 in the Education area are that new subjects that will be discussed to be included in the schools plans like Financial Education, Entrepreneurship, Mindfulness, Personal growth & empowerment along with suistainable and conscious healthy food choices. The educacional curriculums should be updated starting in the kindergardens to include subjects that will help childreen to design their own future, to have more tools to think for themselves instead of learning by repetition.
Good luck on your new projects.
Alexandra
Sheira Brayer
Hi Alexandra:
I just happened to be reading Adam’s blog and came across your comment and couldn’t agree with you more. It’s about time we start introducing these important subjects into our children’s curricula!
You’ll be happy to know that I’ve developed a program and am now writing my book on this very topic (my focus is on tween girls). Are you in this field as well? Would love to know how and why you came up with your prediction!
Thanks, again, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sheira Brayer
Founder, Motiv8: 8 Ways To ROCK Your Own World
Angel
Hi Adam,
First of all, amazing stuff on the new ventures. As someone who continues to follow your work, quite simply your work ethic together with your plight to change the world in MANY different realms… basically inspires me on a weekly basis..
My prediction for 2016 is that education will be at the forefront of peoples minds.. particularly student loans and education costs. With the upcoming election, I believe we will see more Millennials and also there parents fighting for a candidate that is going to actively do something to change the current education state.
I also predict that this year both young and old will realize more and more the value of their time, versus their bank accounts. Becoming conscious and aware to create better time management skills and allocate time both personally and professionally to things that are truly important..
Best of luck on the new endeavors… 🙂
Adam
Agreed, single most valuable asset you have is your TIME.
Loree
I was seisruoly at DefCon 5 until I saw this post.
http://www.parishofardboe.com/
zegt:Wauwie, wat een mooie foto’s! Ik geniet echt als ik naar winterfoto’s zit te kijken, vooral die met de paarden erop vind ik echt heel leuk :)Michaela heeft recent geplaatst …
Suzanne Durant
Hi Adam,
As someone who works in higher education, I think it’s critical to address the student financial crisis. The cost of higher education has grown exponentially and students are often told there is no alternative to higher ed, subsequently they wind up in college racking up student loan debt and upon graduating, find themselves unable to find a job. There are many alternatives to college (hello, apprenticing anyone?) How can anyone be six figures in debt and overcome that hurdle? I’m in the process of obtaining my EdD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies hoping to lead the way in education, equity and help level the playing field. Anyway, I’m excited to see where you take this new challenge. I’m sure you’ll kill it!
Adam
Thanks Suzanne, stay tuned for more info coming soon!
Drew Meyers
Hey Adam
Definitely agree with your sentiment that there is a need for more resources/support for those looking to do good in the world by creating non profits. I’ll be curious to follow the progression of your project and learn more about the financial model you’re putting in place. Are you thinking a membership model of some sort?
I’m personally not a fan of Snapchat..it just screams “time suck”, but that’s just me.
My own prediction is we’ll continue to see the migrations toward “community as a filter” on top of the entire web as a means to filter through spam & low quality content.
Adam
Great prediction Drew. Curious to see if that happens.
Kristan
I’d say someone already started on number 1. Heard of Martin Shkreli’s online finance lessons?
Adam
Haha well played… That guy is a clown.
Kassie
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Dana
Adam, I am so excited for your new project! Have you heard of Teachur?
I think a major shift in 2016 will be the continuation of more genuine marketing- the 20-40’s folks are not interested AT ALL in “fake” marketing. It needs to be real stories about real people. We might even see the end of traditional advertising.
Thanks for all you do, Adam. Hugely inspiring to me and so many. Welcome to the Bay Area!
Drew Meyers
Dana
Teachur looks cool. What’s your involvement with the project?
PS: I hope we see the demise of traditional advertising, but not optimistic.
Dana
Hey Drew- I’m not involved with Teachur but heard about it through the good ol’ internet. I think it looks cool, too!
Thanks for asking!
Adam
Will definitely check it out Dana.
Adam
Hadn’t heard of it but will definitely check it out.
Rachelle Penners
Adam!
I’m thrilled to be reading this article and your plans. Hearing what you, a very inspiring individual, have to say about these topics makes me feel even more confident in the decisions I have made to not follow the traditional college route. I’m looking forward to hearing what your plans are for the college alternative, and of course the non profit playbook too. Thanks for inspiring!
Adam
Amazing to hear Rachelle. Hopefully you can become one of the first students when the new venture launches later this year.
Hernan A. Nieto
This year is going to be a very important opportunity for young people to get out and vote in this Presidential election cycle. We are still dealing with issues of inequality between social classes and as a nation, we are slowly becoming a nation of ‘have’s and have not’s’. In my State of Kansas, we are dealing with the issue of a budget deficit that has already affected school districts across the State. Many school districts are trying to fill their budget gaps by cutting essential services to their students and teachers are beginning to leave the State for better opportunities elsewhere. Being involved in the political process is going to be so crucial for many years to come and we need to encourage more young people to vote in order to make a difference not only in their community but also around the world.
Adam
Couldn’t agree more Hernan. Thanks so much for sharing.
Trisha
At last! Someone with real exsetripe gives us the answer. Thanks!
kapital risikolebensversicherung vergleich
From where I was (and with only 1 replay on big screen) it looked like Strettle got their first – remember being annoyed that AR got throw in the wrong way. Either way, I guess my point is, in real time it definitely wasn’t clear and obvious, and a Pen Try – only in the rosiest of rose tinted glasses!!
Ioana Budeanu
Hey Adam, you are right! Snapchat is not my thing (yet), but I already have my own travel writing course (it’s the only one in my country:) and I have big, bold ideas for this year. We live in amazing times!
I am a HuffPost Blogger, publisher and journalist, I’ve launched the project Invisible Us and it has 3 components:
1. Charity – me and my partner & photographer will travel around the world and we will fulfill the dreams of 100 children from different backgrounds.
2. Slow Journalism – in our travels, we will go after the most intense subjects that make us enthusiastic. First I want to write about the shamans of the world & the healers of the soul & body from 9 countries: Indonesia, China, Japan, India, Kenya, Cuba, Haiti, Peru and Brazil.
3. Education & evolution: we give back what we’ve learned through courses, ebooks and a documentary. And we foster the social emotional learning around the world, in schools and ad-hoc, in the people houses where we’ll stay.
My purpose is to make a small step towards a better world in which our children and young people to see things differently. If I can help one single child to have a better life, my mission is accomplished. And if there are more people with me, and each manages to change a life, then we can hope.
This is what I call an amazing year, full of possibilities!
Hugs from Bucharest!
Ioana
Adam
I love the “slow journalism” idea, much needed! I’ll be following along on your journeys ahead.
Ioana Budeanu
Thank you so much, Adam:)
Sheira Brayer
Hello Ioana!
I just read your post here and was fascinated by what you’re doing. Would love to learn more as I have a similar passion and mission. Do you have a website?
Thank you and looking forward to hearing from you.
Sheira
Ron Spencer III
This is much needed Adam.
I truly believe that as we are able to connect to the world with ease, individuals that wish to give back will be able to do this without having to travel to foreign lands. We need a platform to allow willing and giving individuals…to give back by donating not just dollars, but time and the professional skills.
Adam
Absolutely Ron, and we need more people with hearts and minds like you too.
ann marie
Wow Adam this is really exciting news. Your forward thinking is just what the education field needs. The success of your college is assured. Thank you.
Adam
Much appreciated Ann Marie, it’s going to be a lot of work but I’m excited about what’s ahead.
Vytas
Hello Adam,
My name is Vytas, (25) from Lithuania.
I am indie music & artist development manager who help for anyone, talented singer around the world without asking for money. From Malaysia to US. I wrote You a letter (FEB 20, 2016) (Topic: “let’s call it “They are to be” project”)
I am from Lithuania, started music career as music event organizer and DJ, later – turn myself to producing and developing band and individuals.
MY PREDICTION:
To show that education connected with powerful people can do so much. I will take an example about art – music.
I really inlove Africa and especially people. Africans have so much inside. It is not only about an art.
I want to start fund-raising campaign or just suggest it to Pencils of Promise.
Project sounds quite commercial, but it is not.
The main mission is to discover any talented singer from any African country, start education program, producing, developing and then make him nominated at Grammys or anywhere.
This is not about to win material trophy.
My idea is to show, that everything is possible, what is created by human. We live in materialistic world so we should share materials, make people believe and let them win.
I can imagine the “chain reaction” local people, from entrepreneurs who can get more surprised and become very open-minded about African artists, especially from poor regions. So I believe, local people and people from the rest of the globe will be involved to reach their goals. Project has a long continuity.
I really want to show and prove – everyone has reason to be here, and the right to be educated and produced.
I need your ideas and experience on this. Let me know.
Any response are welcome, even just “thank you”.
Adam
Love the big dream, keep working on it Vytas!
Tyron Janse van Vuuren
Hey Adam, the Non-Profit Playbook looks exciting and I think it’s much needed. Signed up!
Adam
Great to hear, launching in March!
Cameron
Being outside of the US and having spent far less than six figures on my degree I feel very fortunate on that front.
I agree with you that with the obvious exceptions of certain fields (doctors, lawyers) there are definitely quite a few fields that can and maybe should be learned outside of a traditional university setting.
I’ve actually bought two of the type of online courses you mention in your first point within the last twenty-four hours. The value in such a scalable model is obvious – it allows me to further my education for (in this case) less than $30 a course.
Adam
You are the future of learners Cameron, thanks for paving the way.
Theo Dimarhos
I’m excited for you and your plans Adam. You’re right, higher education is fragmented and unsustainable and its unbundling is only a matter of time. I’m glad that one of the good ones is leading the way.
As always, let me know how I can help.
-Theo
Adam
Thanks as always Theo, really appreciate it.