This week on the Getting Smart Podcast, Tom Vander Ark is welcoming back a return guest — Ryan Craig! Ryan is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of University Ventures and Achieve Partners.

As Managing Director of University Ventures, Ryan was the most important investor in higher education — or, more specifically, last-mile training alternatives to higher education.

 

In his 2018 book, A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College, Ryan made the case that unless you get a free ride to a top school, you should find a free or affordable sprint to a great first job. With his newest fund, Achieve Partners, Ryan has become the most important investor in a new category of intermediary organizations that take the friction out of hiring for both companies and job seekers. Through this initiative, Putting America Back to Work, Ryan plans to put 100,000 people back into work by establishing frictionless pathways to good jobs.

 

In today’s conversation, Tom and Ryan discuss Ryan’s efforts towards putting America back to work.

Listen in to hear how about the work Ryan is doing through his two funds, Achieve Partners and University Ventures; his key takeaways from his 2018 book, A New U; the key factors in helping America get back to work; and his advice for high school students returning to school this fall.

 

Key Takeaways:

[:10] About today’s show with Ryan Craig.

[1:06] Tom welcomes Ryan back to the podcast!

[1:15] Ryan sheds some light on what just happened to the U.S. economy.

[3:10] Ryan shares his prediction on what he believes is going to happen at colleges and universities this fall.

[6:24] Ryan shares his thoughts on whether or not he sees several colleges closing permanently due to this impact. He also shares his hopes for institutions and education leaders that want to change.

[10:17] Ryan summarizes some of his invaluable advice from his 2018 book, A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College.

[14:15] Jessica shares an important resource with listeners: the Getting Through microsite.

[14:56] If Ryan wrote a 2020 forward for A New U, what would he say or address?

[22:22] Is the federal government going to the key actor in getting America back to work? Ryan walks listeners through how states and employers can play a role in helping Americans.

[24:15] Ryan explains what University Ventures (UV) is and what they do.

[24:48] Ryan explains why he started up his newest fund, Achieve Partners, and shares what it is that they do there and how it is different from UV.

[26:35] Ryan highlights a few of the partners they have with their Achieve Partners fund.

[27:33] How corporate-connected training and these faster, cheaper alternative options are going to replace a very large percentage of traditional higher ed. He also shares the criteria that they use to determine what they are going to do next within their companies.

[31:46] Ryan gives some closing advice for high school juniors and seniors.

[33:17] Tom thanks Ryan for joining today’s episode!

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough

University Ventures

Ryan Craig’s LinkedIn

A New U: Faster + Cheaper Alternatives to College, by Ryan Craig

Achieve Partners

Getting Smart Podcast Ep. 160: “Last-Mile Training as an Alternative to Higher Ed with Ryan Craig”

 

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