When Liz Lieberman started Grady Talks, she wanted to try out her theory that kids who have a meaningful career plan would be happier later in life.  What we heard at a Grady Talks planning meeting on July 9th, 2010, was many people feel that giving students a “career focus” will help kids stay in school.  Do you think there may be a connection?

 We’ve discovered that the Gates Foundation has some evidence to support the connection.  In their report called,  The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts,  they asked dropouts, “What Might Help Students Stay in School”?   The #1 answer that four out five dropouts said was, “Students need to see the connection between school and getting a good job“. The top reason dropouts say they left school is because they were bored.

According to ETS, the group who publish The Nations Report Card,  “Helping students plan their careers and make occupational choices may well help them decide to stay in school and graduate”.

Also, The National Associating of Secondary School Principals recommends that every high school student have a mentor, or “Personal Adult Advocate,” to help personalize the education experience.

Grady Talks helps students get career-focused and gives them the ability to build mentor relationships with business professionals. 

We’ve seen the challenge of fighting boredom as some kids have their heads on their desk right from the start.  Yet, you can feel the excitement as students get engaged and ask good questions. 

Currently, we videotape as many lectures as we can afford.  Please help us by becoming a speaker, making a donation, or volunteering with our organization.