profile

Tinkering with OCE

🤔 If I Knew This in High School, I’d Have Saved Years of Stress

Published 2 months ago • 2 min read

​

You’ve probably heard it before: “Learn to code! Tech is booming! Become a software engineer and you’re set.”

But here’s the reality that’s sparking conversations online—and it’s worth listening to.

Recent data shows computer science grads face higher unemployment than average - even higher than journalism grads, entry-level tech jobs are vanishing or being automated, and AI is replacing routine coding work faster than anyone expected. One expert put it bluntly: “We created a gold rush mentality around coding right as the gold ran out.”

Does that mean tech is dead and medicine is the only path? Not quite.

​

But FIRST

If you are new, welcome to OCE’s weekly newsletter curated for the ambitious youth…here are some articles you missed from previous weeks:

📈

Why No One Successful Wants to Mentor You

​Read More →​

🎨

Best tools for building your passion project

​

​Read More​ →​

📘

The Future Belongs to Borderless Thinkers

​

​Read More​ →​

Here’s what’s really changing about work:

The future isn’t about blindly chasing the “best paid” or “most secure” job title anymore. It’s not about checking boxes on a resume or competing in a saturated field where thousands are doing the exact same thing. Those “secure” jobs? They’re becoming obsolete and unstable as automation and AI change the game.

Instead, the future of work rewards what’s called your moat—your unique, hard-to-copy competitive advantage. Think of your moat as your own special lane carved out by your talents, creativity, mindset, and how you solve problems nobody else can. It’s about building something only you can offer.

Why does this matter?

  • The tech job market is flooded. Just like too many cooks spoil the broth, too many coders with similar qualifications chasing the same jobs drive down wages and opportunities.
  • AI can already do routine coding and many tech tasks faster and cheaper.
  • Even prestigious degrees and business school networks aren’t as golden as they used to be. “It’s all about the networking” still relevent but is losing steam as tech enables new kinds of communities and opportunities that don’t cost a fortune.
  • Leaders in AI and business say the future will focus less on memorizing facts or chasing traditional prestige. Instead, it’s about curiosity, kindness, creativity, and being able to learn and adapt fast.

So what should you do?

Forget about blindly following “hot careers” or copying what everyone else is doing. Instead:

  • Discover what makes you unique. What are your talents, passions, and values?
  • Build skills and experiences that no AI or crowd can easily replicate—like emotional intelligence, creative problem-solving, and storytelling through real-world insights.
  • Learn by doing. The best “school” isn’t a lecture hall—it’s getting hands-on, experimenting, failing fast, and iterating.
  • Use new online communities and tools to connect, collaborate, and grow outside the old expensive and slow systems.

Because here’s the truth:

The future of work isn’t about job titles. It’s about your moat.

We believe the next generation of learning won’t happen in traditional classrooms. It’ll happen in virtual communities—hands-on, action-focused spaces where you learn by doing.

Here’s what that looks like:

  • Exclusive access to high growth emerging markets — co-create with top founders tackling real social challenges no one else your age can reach
  • Insider frameworks and cutting-edge tools taught directly by Silicon Valley leaders shaping the future of business
  • A tight-knit global community of ambitious teens and changemakers, creating opportunities and networks that set you apart

We believe this is the future of education—across industries and around the world.

Learning that’s hands-on. Focused on impact.

The old models are fading fast.

And the new way?

It’s happening right now.

​

Like what you read? Share with friends!

​

PS. This summer, we are going to tackle pressing global issues and drive innovation in regions (such as your own community) where it is needed the most. Want in?

We run a summer cohort for ambitious youth (high school and undergrads) to work directly with world-class founders while learning from Silicon Valley leaders.

​

​

You can also explore purposeful opportunities through our Impact Internship Opportunities Database.

​

Get Curious.

​

Lena

​https://www.openclassroomexperience.com/​

113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Tinkering with OCE

Subscribe to OCE's weekly newsletter on tech, business and higher education...curated for the ambitious youth.

Read more from Tinkering with OCE

Before schools were factories for test scores and diplomas, they were training grounds for leadership. Aristotle — one of the greatest philosophers of all time — believed the core of education isn’t just knowledge, it’s moral training. He taught that real power comes from the ability to think clearly, act with purpose, and influence others wisely. His star student?Alexander the Great, who went on to conquer most of the known world by age 30. Alexander didn’t just memorize battle tactics.He...

1 day ago • 2 min read

Hey Changemakers, Maybe you’re tinkering on a side project.Maybe you’ve got a little business that’s starting to pick up steam.Or maybe you’re trying to grow your community, your brand, or your idea. Whatever it is, you’re probably wondering —how do I scale this thing? More followers.More customers.More traction. After running my own business and community for a while, I realized something big: The fastest and cheapest way to scale isn’t through ads, algorithms, or investors.It’s through...

8 days ago • 3 min read

You may be sitting in your math class when Silicon Valley Bank collapsed in March 2023. If you blinked, you could’ve missed it—because the whole thing unraveled in just 48 hours. That’s faster than you can binge a season of your favorite Netflix show. What actually happened? Banks are supposed to be the safest place for your money. But here’s the thing: banks don’t just hold your cash. They loan it out, invest it, and and make money using your deposits. When too many people lose confidence...

15 days ago • 2 min read