What I’ve Learned So Far About the Education System

When I first stepped into the education space, I didn’t have a background in the education space. What I had was curiosity—and a growing realization that something in the system wasn’t working the way it should. The more I observed, listened, and asked questions, the more I saw a gap between what students were learning and how that learning translated into real-world skills.

This blog marks the beginning of a monthly series where I’ll share what I’m learning on this journey, what we’re building at SkillCo, and how I believe we can help shape the future of education together.

The Disconnect I Kept Noticing

Here’s what I’ve come to understand very quickly: education is full of incredibly dedicated people doing their absolute best. Teachers, counselors, administrators—they all care deeply. But the system itself? It's outdated in many ways.

Students are often pushed to focus on credits, GPAs, and graduation requirements. They’re told to pick classes, graduate, and figure out their future later. But “later” comes fast, and for many students, it comes without direction. I’ve met students who completed their degrees without understanding what they’re actually good at—or what they want to do next.

The structure of school too often feels like a checklist instead of a journey.

What Students Actually Need

As I got deeper into the space, I started paying more attention to what students really need—and what they’re asking for, whether directly or not.

They need relevance.
They need purpose.
They need a way to understand how their education connects to their future.

And most importantly, they need help identifying their own strengths early—not years after graduation. That’s what inspired the creation of SkillCo.

Why We Built SkillCo

SkillCo is more than just a platform—it’s a mindset shift.

We built it to help students track and recognize the real-world skills they’re gaining in every class they take. Whether it’s communication, leadership, data analysis, or creative thinking, these skills matter far more in the workplace than most students realize. And when students can see their own growth, they start to believe in what they’re capable of.

But it’s not just about high school. SkillCo is also designed to work in higher education, helping students:

• Shorten their time to graduation by making more informed decisions about their classes and degree paths

• Feel motivated and engaged because they can actually track progress in a way that makes sense

• Build a profile of real, transferable skills that employers care about—long before their first job interview

Starting Earlier Makes a Big Difference

High school is the ideal time to start thinking about the future—not when a student is already in college debt or stuck in a major they’re unsure about.

By using SkillCo in high school, students can:

• Identify their strengths and interests early

• Make smarter choices about electives and career pathways

• Enter higher education or the workforce with a sense of purpose and direction

We’re not trying to replace counselors or teachers. We’re giving them a powerful tool that supports what they’re already doing—while giving students ownership over their own learning journey.

Making Learning Feel Like Progress Again

Let’s be honest: a lot of students feel like school is something they have to survive—not something that’s helping them thrive.

But when students start seeing their education as a skill-building journey—with feedback, progress tracking, and purpose—they engage differently. It becomes fun. It becomes relevant. It becomes personal.

That’s the goal.

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