What piece of advice would you give graduates and high school students to prepare them for future?
The world is changing rapidly due to AI and technology.
New generations (and not only they) have to adapt to changes in the job market.
I know that many of us at PH have a founder mindset.
But not everyone will be a founder; someone will also have to be employed.
What advice would you give young people to be better prepared for this and the coming world?
Either in the field of entrepreneurship or employment?
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In my POV, three powerful things that will actually prepare them for the future are:
1. Master communication. Being able to clearly express ideas, listen well, and collaborate with others is a game-changer in any career.
2. Learn digital marketing. Whether you want to start your own business or support someone else’s, knowing how to capture attention online is an incredibly valuable skill.
3. Build real skills—not just collect degrees. Employers care more about what you can do than what’s printed on a diploma. So dive into projects, internships, and anything that lets you apply what you’ve learned.
@sunny_k_s What is meant by "real skills"? Because real skills to me and my parent are different but the older I am, the "real skill" means something for me to build something "physically".
@busmark_w_nika By real skills, I mean don’t just study to get a degree—focus on learning things that are actually in demand in today’s world. It could be anything like AI tools or data analytics—whatever interests them and is valued by the industry. These skills will help them better understand real-world problems and empower them to build something meaningful.
Dope Notes
Best advice for teens getting ready for future jobs: build solid skills like communication, time management, and problem-solving, and don’t be afraid to take on part-time work or volunteering — it all counts. Show up on time, take initiative, and learn to work well with others. Keep your social media clean, stay curious with online learning, and pick up some basic money smarts and retirement planning. Those habits go a long way in standing out and relaxing later in life.
@tim_holmgren1 Wiser money management, value of time – these two I wish to know about / learn earlier.
Dope Notes
@busmark_w_nika Me too :)
@busmark_w_nika @tim_holmgren1 Agree with you, Nika and Tim. We know better now to educate the younger generation.
@tim_holmgren1 @ricalgmn The sooner you start, the more conscious of their decisions they become. :)
The most valuable trait keeps evolving.
In the past, it was physical strength, then machines replaced it.
Then it was intelligence, now AI is replacing it.
So what’s next?
I believe it's action.
The ability to do, to build, to ship without waiting for permission.
So my advice is :
Start doing. Don’t wait for a green light. The world will belongs to doers.
@bengeekly Send me this message back into 2014 when I was so lost :D
@busmark_w_nika
@ Anyone, launching a time-back machine?
I feel like having cycles and feel that the doer cycle is starting RN.
IXORD
Improving your skills is good, but good communication and adaptation to the situation can help in life. Everyone chooses their own path, and we do not know what will happen next, and adaptability will help well.
@ixord I think that adaptability together with creativity were mentioned in one study presented on LI
@howell4change Want to be so enthusiastic as you are. :D But I feel that less ambitious and less brave people will be lost in such era.
Had you put this question to me a couple of years ago, I’d have answered with two pillars: language and mathematics. Language, so you can read, write, and tap the full archive of human thought; math, so you can parse complexity, model reality, and practice disciplined reasoning. That still matters. Yet today knowledge work is being Uberized by agents that aren’t strictly human. Compute and cognition are suddenly priced on the same ledger, and on sheer unit economics. digital intelligence is starting to outperform its biological cousin. Paradoxically, that makes human cognition more worth honing, not less: the sharper our thinking, the better we collaborate with these new counterparts. Still, I’m finding myself valuing the so-called “soft” skills, active listening, empathizing, showing up for a teammate, precisely because machines can’t do them yet. Teams high in EQ are regularly out-executing individuals high in IQ. I realize this may sound like a tangent, but it’s the honest arc of where my thinking has landed.
@narayan_prasath Language and mathematics – agree with both, but I would enjoy only the first one. :D Now I kind of regret not learning more foreign languages since childhood.
Building stuff and selling stuff are two different ball games. Whether you choose to work for someone else or build and do your own thing, learn how to sell stuff. This includes knowing how to talk about your skills, communicating ideas so people can key into your vision.
@mirabellemorah I am so happy that so many people came under this thread and shared such wise opinions. This one is precious. We sell in every day life (and it scares me because I hate sales). :D
@busmark_w_nika hehehe I'm sure you do just fine at it
Start working on side projects related to what you enjoy and want to learn. Even if they are not intended to be monetized, do them to explore new areas and, most importantly, to discover what you do or do not like.
@borja_diazroig This is what I advised myself too tbh + Start sooner :)
I would suggest them to become Job Giver not to become Job Seeker. This is a high time to learn and build something.
@nitin_joshi That is the mindset we have (and I love it), but taking into account that not everybody is so ambitious, what the rest?
Eternal AI
The world's changing fast, with AI taking over. So, here’s the deal: Get used to change.
Be flexible as stuff you learn today might be old news tomorrow. Be ready to learn new things.
Learn sticking-with-us skills like thinking clearly, solving problems, and talking to people. No matter what tech comes along, these skills remain.
Try new things and don’t freak out if you fail. Fail fast, learn from it, and move on. It’s how you get better.
Keep asking questions and exploring. Curiosity keeps you learning and adapting.
Hang out with different people from different groups/communities. They can help you out someday.
That’s how you might do okay in this era.
@sig_eternal All 5 points are pretty valid.
"Try new things and don’t freak out if you fail. Fail fast, learn from it, and move on. It’s how you get better." – This encouragement I needed from my 11 to 18. :)
Maybe train to be a plumber?
https://youtu.be/giT0ytynSqg?feature=shared
@trumpeter Just today morning thinking about the fact that physical world skills will be more appreciated (also financially)!
Focus on learning skills that matter—like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. Don’t be afraid to try new things or make mistakes; that’s how you grow. Surround yourself with positive people, stay curious, work hard, and always be kind. Your attitude and effort will take you further than you think.
I would say learn how to think, problem solve and communicate. Whilst AIs are basically magical, they still need clear instructions, context and careful management to stay on task. Also, don’t be scared to be self employed - maybe get some work experience first - but after that know that the playing field has been levelled considerably in the past couple of years and great ideas, vision, taste and execution can compete with the biggest companies in the world. Also, define what success is to you. It’s okay if success is smallish and relatively stress free, as there’ll come a time in your life when family-time and low stress are what matter most. Also, always pay yourself (your pension pot) first. Saving even tiny amounts early on can make a huge difference to your choices in later life.
One final thought - I see a lot of young people being quite purist about AI, considering it cheating. Definitely learn how to think and hone your skillset and knowledge throughout your life, but also stand on the shoulders of the giants who came before you. We’re meant to reach higher and be more ambitious by leveraging the work of those who came before us. That’s the human condition. You have more, so do more with it!
If I will give the advice then it would be that learn how to learn fast.
In a world that changes every day, your ability to adapt, unlearn, and relearn will matter more than any single degree or job title.
Build habits, not just resumes.
Ask questions, not just memorize answers.
Focus on skills, not just grades.
Be curious, not just compliant.
Your future won’t be defined by what you know today, but how quickly you can grow tomorrow.
Your current struggle is part of your transformation.
So Start from Zero, Stay consistent. Stay hungry. Keep going even when it feels uncertain. That’s when growth happens.
If I could give one piece of advice to graduates and high school students, it would be this: stay curious and keep learning—beyond just textbooks or degrees. The world changes fast, and the ability to adapt, unlearn, and relearn will set you apart more than any single skill.
Don’t stress if you don’t have everything figured out right away. Most adults don’t either. Try different things, fail at some, succeed at others. Just keep moving forward with an open mind. And be kind—it’s underrated, but it will take you further than you think.
The future isn’t a fixed path—it’s something you shape every day by the choices you make. Start small, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.