Announcement: The Next Chapter of FutureSkill

Thank you for being an early supporter of FutureSkill! Having you as a subscriber has meant the world to me.

FutureSkill is growing, and I’m excited to share what’s coming next. Starting September 15, I’ll be introducing a paid subscription tier.

✨ As a thank you for being an early supporter, subscribe in the next 48 hours and enjoy 25% off your first year—just $60 or $6/month. ✨

What’s changing?

Free subscribers will continue to receive the Wednesday edition, where I share personal stories and insights on careers and the future of work. These stories come from real experiences, many of which I’ve never shared before.

Paid subscribers will receive both the Wednesday and Saturday editions.

The Saturday edition will be revamped. After weeks of experimenting, I’ve decided to focus on what I do best: uncovering rare and valuable ideas through deep research. I will explore unique topics that often don’t get enough attention in the career space. 

The advice, tips, and resources I’ve been sharing will now be part of a curated directory (more on that below).

Additional Benefits for Paid Subscribers (Coming Soon)

• Access to premium content, including in-depth reports, guides, and early trend analyses

• A curated directory of resources such as career coaches, recruiters, newsletters, books, and cheat sheets

• Discounts and deals on career-related products and services

• An exclusive, private community for networking and support (potentially)

Why should you subscribe? 

To advance your skills and stay ahead.

My readers tend to fall into two main groups: business leaders/managers and educators. They share the newsletter or snippets of it with their team members, students, or coaching clients.

I’m refining FutureSkill with both of those audiences in mind.

Business Leaders/Managers

It’s become popular to criticize toxic workplaces and bad managers. While some of that criticism is valid, I have a different perspective.

Over the past decade, the role of managers has fundamentally shifted. Today, being a leader means coaching and developing your team, a skill that doesn’t come naturally to many people and is often not taught during their careers.

After spending nearly a year researching leadership, in 2022, I co-authored the USA Today best-selling book Luminary Leadership. One key takeaway from my research was that workplaces lack empathy.

If we analyze the work situation with empathy, we recognize that most managers are overworked, stressed, and unequipped to guide their employees’ careers. They’ve stumbled through their own careers and don’t always know how to help others.

That’s a big problem that needs to be urgently addressed.

• 46% of employees are considering leaving their jobs in 2024—more than during 2021’s Great Reshuffle. (Microsoft)

• The cost of losing an employee can range from 30% to 200% of their salary. (Culture Amp)

• 75% of employee turnover is preventable. (Work Institute)

• 41% of employees leave because of a lack of career development. (McKinsey)

• 74% of managers find it difficult to work with Gen Z. (Resume Builder)

• 54% of Gen Z feel alone in their companies when it comes to career development. (INTOO)

• 46% of employees believe their manager doesn’t know how to help them with their career development. (INTOO)

FutureSkill is designed to help leaders become better guides for their teams.

Educators

What is the purpose of college education? Is it to:

• Become a well-rounded individual?

• Build professional networks?

• Gain credentials?

• Increase earning potential?

We can debate these views, but here’s the harsh reality:

• Over 500 private four-year universities have closed in the past 10 years in the U.S. (Wall Street Journal)

• Nearly 100 schools closed between the 2022–23 and 2023–24 academic years. (Inside Higher Ed)

• 1 in 10 four-year colleges is at financial risk. (EY)

• 58% of students pursue higher education for better career outcomes. (Strada Education Foundation)

• 63% of students expect professors to help them prepare for a career. 52% of students say academic advisers should be helping them prepare for life after college. (Inside Higher Ed)

Whether or not educators see it as their role, students expect help with career development. FutureSkill is here to provide the tools and insights to respond to that demand.

What will it cost?

$80 per year or $8/month.

If you’re a business leader, manager, or educator, you may be able to expense this newsletter as part of your professional development. (Always check with your organization first. This is not financial advice!)

Thank you again for being part of FutureSkill. I’m excited for what’s ahead.

✨ If you subscribe in the next 48 hours, get the first year for only $60 or $6/month (25% off). ✨