You’ve probably seen all the chaos online lately.
Layoffs at Microsoft. Mass firings at Google. Tech bros crying on TikTok. It’s wild out there.
Even if you’re not job-hunting yet, you’re probably wondering:
“If adults with fancy titles and degrees are getting kicked out… what chance do I have?”
Real talk? I’ve had that thought too.
But here's the thing: you don’t need to wait until you're 30 and stressed to start building a safety net. There’s a smarter way to play the game now — especially during times like this.
I call it:
The Indispensable Portfolio
(aka how to win even when sh*t hits the fan.)
It’s like building your own cheat code library.
Stuff you can pull out whenever life throws you a boss level — job loss, rejection, recession — and still win the game. No one can delete it. Not even the algorithm.
Here are the 3 pieces:
Got a burning question? I’m all ears.
Stuck on a startup idea? Wondering how to use AI without sounding like a robot? Trying to figure out what actually matters after high school?
Every week, I hear from teens building cool things, chasing big goals, and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the noise.
So I’m opening up a space just for you.
I’ll be answering your questions right here in the newsletter. No gatekeeping. No boring advice. Just real talk from someone who's been where you are—and wants to help you get where you're going.
Seriously. Nothing’s off limits.
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 →
|
1.Niche Skill That Pays
What can you do that’s actually useful even outside of an established company?
Design? Editing videos? Making music? Coding? Painting? Selling sneakers? Explaining stuff on Youtube so it actually makes sense?
This is your “I bring value” card. It doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be yours. And you’ve got time to level it up. Start small. Get better. Charge more. Repeat.
Being Useful > Being Impressive.
2.Something You Own
Not like “I own an island.” More like — do you have anything that can make you money without clocking in?
Examples:
- A Notion template you sell
- A Shopify store
- A digital product
- Even just money saved + invested smartly
You don’t need a trust fund. You just need to start thinking like a founder, not just an employee. Build once. Earn on repeat.
3.Your People
This is your crew, your audience, your supporters — whoever’s paying attention.
They don’t have to be thousands. Just real ones who care. People who trust your ideas, buy your thing, or connect you to someone big later.
Start showing up with value. Online. Offline. Doesn’t matter — just be intentional.
One person who believes in you is worth more than 1,000 random likes.
Why This Works
It’s like a stool. If one leg breaks (you get fired, your side hustle flops, or you lose momentum), the other two keep you steady.
It’s how smart adults survive layoffs and pivot quickly in a crisis. But more importantly — it’s how teens like you can become impossible to ignore by the time you hit your 20s.
This isn’t about hustle culture or burnout or trying to be the next Elon.
It’s about options. And the agency to say “nah” to bad jobs, sketchy offers, or anything that doesn’t vibe with who you want to be.
Let’s make sure the world can’t afford to overlook you.
Let’s make you indispensable.
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/
