Is college worth it? In this episode, I sat down with Amber Gilsdorf, an Independent Educational Consultant at Estrella Consulting, to unpack this complex and timely question. We explore how families can evaluate the true return on investment (ROI) of college, what metrics matter most, and why personal values and readiness play a major role in long-term success.

We also talk about the importance of looking beyond rankings and sticker prices to focus on outcomes, both tangible and intangible. Amber shares useful tools and frameworks for measuring success, and we reflect on how to support students in choosing the path that's right for them.

As a career coach, I help students and recent grads explore career options, gain clarity, and build career readiness. Whether your student is college-bound, considering alternatives, or somewhere in between, this episode offers practical insights and thoughtful guidance.

Know someone who’s navigating these decisions? Share this episode. And if your student could use additional help, visit betsyjewellcoaching.com to learn more.

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Welcome to the High School Hamster Wheel podcast! I’m Betsy Jewell.

It’s been a while—okay, a long while—since I last released an episode. Life has been busy with some exciting new projects, and I can’t wait to share one of them with you soon!

But today, I have some bittersweet news. This episode marks the beginning of the final three episodes of the High School Hamster Wheel podcast. I can hardly believe it’s been over five years since I started this journey. What began as a passion project has evolved into something far beyond what I ever imagined, ultimately leading me to my favorite and current role, as a Career Coach!

Now, let’s talk about today’s episode. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jeffrey Moss, Founder and CEO of Parker Dewey, to dive into a topic that affects so many students and graduates: the transition from college to career. Jeffrey brings a wealth of experience, from his background in venture capital investing in education and technology to launching Parker Dewey, a platform designed to bridge the gap between students and meaningful work experiences.

We discuss the challenges of hiring bias, the importance of real, paid professional experience, and how micro-internships can create better job matches for both students and companies. Jeffrey also shares insights on higher education trends and the crucial role parents play in helping their kids navigate career exploration.

This is a conversation packed with valuable takeaways—so let’s get started!

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In this episode of the High School Hamster Wheel podcast, I am joined by Jared Chung, executive director of CareerVillage.org, a nonprofit that provides online career advising to help young people prepare for their future careers. Jared discusses the organization's flagship career Q&A platform where young people can ask any career-related question and receive answers from over 150,000 volunteer professionals. He also introduces their new AI Career Coach, which offers mock interviews, resume feedback, and other career development tools. During our discussion, we cover how the community-driven model works, the impact of the platform, and how volunteers and learners can get involved. The episode offers valuable insights for parents, educators, and young people seeking reliable career guidance.

Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode.

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In this episode, I am thrilled to welcome Nat Greene to the podcast. Nat has accelerated the careers of hundreds of professionals of all ages as a consultant, coach, and business leader. Today, we'll be diving into some thought-provoking topics around education, including why the current system is broken, the misconceptions about the college application process, and innovative solutions like Nat's new venture, Futures Forge. This conversation is going to challenge some of the long-held beliefs about higher education. I invite you to listen with an open mind and consider all possibilities.

Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode.

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Today we are diving deep into the essential conversations about finding career success in today’s job market. In this episode, I am thrilled to welcome Jeanetta Warren, founder and CEO of JW Professional Writing Services, and the president-elect of the New Jersey Career Development Association. Jeanetta brings a wealth of knowledge in resume writing, LinkedIn profiles, and career branding. During our conversation, we will explore the intricacies of the current job market, discuss strategies for career advancement, and learn how to effectively brand ourselves for success. Whether you're a high school student pondering your future, a college graduate ready to step into the workforce, or you are mid-career pivoting in a new direction, this conversation will help you navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode.

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I am super excited to bring you part two of my conversation with Dr. Emily Edlynn. Emily is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in pediatric health psychology who works in private practice with children, teens, and adults. She is also the author of her first book titled “Autonomy-Supportive Parenting = Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Competent, Confident Children.”

In episode 140, Emily and I talked about autonomy-supportive parenting - what it means, why parents should choose to do it, and the research that demonstrates the positive impact it has on our kids. In this second part, we will be focusing on autonomy-supportive parenting for parents of children with neurodivergence and mental health challenges. This is an important topic and becoming more prevalent among teens and young adults. During our conversation, Emily reinforces the need for empathy and perspective when parenting neurodivergent kids and those with mental health challenges. She also provides valuable advice for parents to help their children develop a strong sense of self, no matter what challenges they may be facing.

Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode.

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I am thrilled to bring you my conversation with Dr. Emily Edlynn, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in pediatric health psychology who works in private practice with children, teens, and adults. Dr. Edlynn is also the author of her first book, "Autonomy-Supportive Parenting = Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Competent, Confident Children.” I picked up a copy of Emily’s book and couldn’t put it down. I just knew I had to invite her to be a guest on the show. During our conversation, we talk all about autonomy-supportive parenting - what it means, why parents should choose to do it, and the research that demonstrates the positive impact it has on our kids. As a parent of two young adults, I know how hard it is to relinquish control - what they do, who they hang out with, and the decisions they make. We are parenting from a place of concern and safety but in the end, controlling our kids does not support their autonomy. My conversation with Emily provides so much insight and actionable advice to help our kids live the life they want to live.

Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode.

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Today I am joined by Pam Roy. Pam Roy is a writer, filmmaker, investor, and philanthropist with a mission to provide community-based support for youth and families. Pam and I have a shared passion for parenting and educational transformation. During our conversation, Pam shares content from her new book, “Parenting From the Passenger Seat”, which by the way, is a must-read for anyone who parents, mentors or works with teens. We also talk about the value of social connections and how to help our kids find meaning. If your teen or young adult is struggling to find their path, this conversation will give you some insights and ideas to help them get back on track.

Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode.

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Today I am joined by Hassan Akmal, Executive Director, Career and Professional Development, UC San Diego, Author, Professor, Future of Work Expert, Career and Life Mastery Consultant, and TEDx Speaker.

During our conversation, Hassan tells the story of his extraordinary path through high school, and college, as a tennis pro, and as a career development professional. It’s a pretty incredible story and one that demonstrates the value of being intentional about designing your own life and career. Hassan and I talk about why everyone should be a curious explorer of their potential. Hassan shares why it’s important to begin the reflection process early when crafting a career and life vision statement, even if it’s not perfect.

Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode.

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It’s a new year and I’m excited to bring you new episodes with some pretty amazing guests, beginning right now. My guest today is Dr. Denise Pope. Denise is a Senior Lecturer at Stanford University Graduate School of Education and is also the co-founder of Challenge Success, a school reform nonprofit. Additionally, she is the author of “Doing School": How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students. Dr. Pope lectures nationally on parenting techniques and pedagogical strategies to increase student health, engagement, and integrity. During our discussion, we talk about the importance of student feedback to improve their health, well-being, sense of belonging, and engagement with learning. Denise shares some results from the “Fit Over Rankings” research brief that she contributed to and…spoiler alert…where you go to college doesn’t make a difference. Denise reinforces what I keep saying over and over again, there is not one path to success. Whether you are an educator, a parent, or someone who cares about the future well-being of teens and young adults, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Please visit the show notes page for more information and links mentioned during this episode.

Connect with Me!

High School Hamster Wheel Facebook Page

Betsy Jewell Career Counseling

Instagram

LinkedIn

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