Last week, two grandsons of Walmart’s founder announced plans to launch a new STEM university on the site of Walmart’s original Bentonville headquarters.

No ivy-covered buildings. No general ed. No prestige branding.

Instead?

• Stackable credentials

• Direct job pathways in tech, biotech, and automation

• Tuition-free (at least for now)

Steuart Walton said the quiet part out loud:

They’re not building a college for the world we grew up in.
They’re building one for the world our kids are already entering.

🌱 This is Future-Ready Parents—where you get the tools to lead your child with clarity, confidence, and future-ready skills—in just a few minutes a day.

WHAT TO EXPECT TODAY

You’ll get a 5-point checklist to help you quickly assess whether your teen’s current learning path is building future-ready skills—or just chasing outdated academic goals.

WHY THIS MATTERS

You might think your teen is “on track” because they’re in advanced classes or college-bound.

But here’s what many schools still don’t do:

• Teach students how to build a real-world project

• Let them fail and try again

• Show them how to adapt when tech changes

• Give them tools like AI, coding, or even spreadsheets

Meanwhile, 94% of companies now say skills-based hires outperform degree-based ones (Forbes).

And 28% of bachelor’s programs have a negative return on investment when you factor in student debt and job placement (Freopp).

This isn’t a rejection of college. It’s a shift in what counts.

The checklist below helps you see the difference—and lead with confidence.

THE TOOL: Career-Readiness Signal Checklist

Use this to check if your child’s education (school + after-school) is helping them build future-ready skills.

Answer Yes or Not Yet for each one.

1. Have they worked with modern tools?
Tools like ChatGPT, spreadsheets, Canva, or entry-level coding apps—without being spoon-fed.

Example: They used an AI tool to plan a school project or create a prototype in a business pitch.

2. Have they built something end-to-end?
Not just answered questions—actually led or created something over time.

Example: They pitched an idea, scoped it out, and delivered a podcast, app, event, or campaign.

3. Have they hit a wall and figured out a fix?
Mistakes + persistence. Real-world grit, not just test scores.

Example: A group project tanked halfway through, and they adapted instead of quitting.

4. Have they explained an idea to someone who wasn’t grading them?
Think presentations, pitches, emails, or outreach where communication mattered.

Example: They gave a short talk at a club, emailed a local expert, or pitched to a real audience.

5. Do they make meaningful choices in what and how they learn?
Ownership, not just compliance.

Example: They set a learning goal, picked a method (YouTube, mentor, course), and followed through.

Tally:

• 4–5 Yes → Solid foundation

• 2–3 Yes → Room to grow

• 0–1 Yes → Time to rethink their learning environment

Good for ages 12–18. Try it with them—or reflect on your own school years as a contrast.

BEFORE YOU GO…

You don’t need to map out your teen’s career. You just need to notice when they’re learning things that matter—and when they’re not.

Today’s checklist helps you do that.

Until next time,
James Brauer
Founder, Future-Ready Parents