Praxis Program Overview
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The Praxis program is a one-year program where participants work at companies while completing an education experience involving coaching, projects, skills training and more. The program overview document provides details on the Praxis program, including who it's for, what the business and education experiences entail, and participant testimonials. The education experience involves a rigorous schedule over 12 months that includes developing business projects, building an online brand, completing a portfolio project, and gaining entrepreneurial skills, all with the support of Praxis advisors.
Praxis Program Overview
- 2. Praxis is a one year program where participants learn by doing. We place participants at amazing companies all over the country, where they work alongside entrepreneurs while also completing our rigorous education experience which includes one-on-one coaching, self-guided projects, hard and soft skills training, and more. Why should young people wait and hope to find a job they like when they can start creating a career they love today? This guide will give a thorough overview of the Praxis program, including who it’s for, what the Business Experi- ence looks like, what the Education Experience looks like, and participant spotlights. If you would like to learn more about the program, email Cameron Sorsby at cameron@discoverpraxis.com to sched- ule a discussion with a team member or call 1-800-679-9367.” About Praxis DISCOVERPRAXIS.COM Who is Praxis For? The Praxis business network presents an opportuni- ty found nowhere else - to work with entrepreneurs and learn how they got started. The Entrepreneur takes this experience, learning from the success- es and failures of established founders, and uses Praxis to prepare their own projects or startups. The curriculum and portfolio project give the theoretical and professional resources necessary to launch any venture. Sometimes a degree isn’t enough to gain clear career direction, let alone the skill and experience to do really interesting things. The Young Professional has the basics of formal education, and maybe even a current job, but wants to discover and create a path to a fulfilling career and life. Praxis is an excellent complement to traditional higher education for those who want a little more and aren’t content to simply blast out resumes to generic jobs. Planning to skip the university altogether, or bored by college classes and feeling like they aren’t getting the most out of their time there, the College Opt-Out comes to Praxis to get the unique real-world experi- ence that the classroom can’t offer. Praxis provides the opportunity to learn in a hands-on fashion with- out giving up the best of interdisciplinary education in a self-guided structure. It combines the best of both worlds for the College Opt-Out. Whether it is taking time off between high school and college, or between college and a graduate program, the Gap Year Student uses Praxis as an opportunity to get both diverse work experience in a dynamic company and a world-class education. These partic- ipants leave the program prepared to take on any- thing their future educational plans throw at them, with more work experience and a clearer focus on their continued education. PRAXIS BRAND ESSENCE 12 WHO PRAXIS IS FOR The Gap Year Student Whether it is taking time off between high school and college, or between college and a graduate program, the Gap Year Student uses Praxis as an opportunity to get both diverse work experience in a dynamic com- pany and a world-class education. These participants leave the program prepared to take on anything their future educational plans throw at them, with more work experience and a clearer focus on their contin- ued education. The College Opt-Out Planning to skip the university altogether, or bored by college classes and feeling like they aren’t getting the most value out of their time there, the College Opt-Out comes to Praxis to get the unique real-world experi- ence that the classroom can’t offer. Praxis provides the opportunity to learn in a hands-on fashion without giving up the best of interdisciplinary education in a self-guided structure. It combines the best of both worlds for the College Opt-Out. Praxis Archetypes and Personas The Entrepreneur PRAXIS BRAND ESSENCE 12 WHO PRAXIS IS FOR The Gap Year Student Whether it is taking time off between high school and college, or between college and a graduate program, the Gap Year Student uses Praxis as an opportunity to get both diverse work experience in a dynamic com- pany and a world-class education. These participants leave the program prepared to take on anything their future educational plans throw at them, with more work experience and a clearer focus on their contin- ued education. The College Opt-Out Planning to skip the university altogether, or bored by college classes and feeling like they aren’t getting the most value out of their time there, the College Opt-Out comes to Praxis to get the unique real-world experi- ence that the classroom can’t offer. Praxis provides the opportunity to learn in a hands-on fashion without giving up the best of interdisciplinary education in a self-guided structure. It combines the best of both worlds for the College Opt-Out. Praxis Archetypes and Personas The College Opt-Out PR WHO PRAXIS IS FOR The Young Professional Sometimes a degree isn’t enough to gain clear career direction, let alone the skill and experience to do real- ly interesting things. The Young Professional has the basics of formal education, and maybe even a current job, but wants to discover and create a path to a fulfilling career and life. Praxis is an excellent complement to traditional higher education for those who want a little more and aren’t content to simply blast our resumes to generic jobs. The Entrepreneur The Praxis business network presen found nowhere else -- to work with learn how they got started. The Entr experience, learning from the succe established founders, and uses Prax own projects or startups. The curric project give the theoretical and prof necessary to launch any venture. The Young Professional WHO PRAXIS IS FOR The Young Professional Sometimes a degree isn’t enough to gain clear career direction, let alone the skill and experience to do real- ly interesting things. The Young Professional has the basics of formal education, and maybe even a current job, but wants to discover and create a path to a fulfilling career and life. Praxis is an excellent complement to traditional higher education for those who want a little more and aren’t content to simply blast our resumes to generic jobs. The Entrepreneur The Praxis business network presents an opportunity found nowhere else -- to work with entrepreneurs and learn how they got started. The Entrepreneur takes this experience, learning from the successes and failures of established founders, and uses Praxis to prepare their own projects or startups. The curriculum and portfolio project give the theoretical and professional resources necessary to launch any venture. The Gap Year Student
- 3. The Education Experience: Program Schedule DISCOVERPRAXIS.COM Month 1: Bootcamp PDP #1 • Technology & Digital Skills module • 30-day e-course (Don’t Need a Job…You Need Guts) • Final Week: Website walk-through with Praxis staff Month 2: Bootcamp PDP #2 • Entrepreneurship/Life Skills module • Begin weekly updates on personal blog • Final Week: Submit proposal for Month 3 PDP to Praxis Adviser Month 3: Professional Devolpment PDP #1 • Begin work at business partner • Focus on skill development and independent business project #1 • Final Week: Submit proposal for month 4 PDP to Praxis Adviser Month 4: Professional Devolpment PDP #2 • Focus on skill development and independent business project #1 • Continue weekly updates on personal site • Final Week: Complete independent business project #1 (from months 3&4) and submit proposal for month 5 PDP Month 5: Curriculum PDP #1 • Focus on curriculum module and skill development goal • Blog Daily • Final Week: Schedule podcast interview w/ Praxis staff & pick two books for month 6 PDP Month 6: Curriculum PDP #2 • Daily list of things you don’t enjoy/don’t want to do • Read two books • Final Week: Schedule podcast interview w/ Praxis staff & submit proposal for Month 7 PDP Month 7: Professional Devolpment PDP #3 • Focus on skill development and independent business project #2 • Continue weekly updates on personal site • Final Week: Submit proposal for month 8 PDP to Praxis Adviser Month 8: Professional Devolpment PDP #4 • Focus on skill development and independent business project #2 • Continue weekly updates on personal site • Final Week: Complete independent business project #2 (from months 7&8) and submit proposal for month 9 PDP Month 9: Curriculum PDP #3 • Focus on curriculum module and skill development goal • Blog daily • Final Week: Schedule podcast interview w/ Praxis staff & submit proposal for portfolio project to Praxis Adviser Month 10-12: Portfolio Project PDPs • Complete deliverable for portfolio project each month • Continue weekly updates on personal site
- 4. DISCOVERPRAXIS.COM What You’ll Do: • Create 2 independent business projects • Build a personal brand website and develop an online presence • Become a regular content creator • Complete a 3-month portfolio project • Become an entrepreneurial thinker The Praxis Education Experience is built around outcomes, not just activities. Participants create tangible results through projects and tailored learning plans. The program delves into everything from digital skills and professional proficiencies to core concepts in philosophy, history, economics, technology, and business. While the business experience takes place onsite, the education component is done remotely through an online portal and interactive communication. The participant is in control of this experience. With the assistance and coaching of Praxis advisors, participants create a professional development course to accelerate their growth. Between access to a world-class curriculum library, connections with entrepreneurs and intellectuals, and all the resources of the Praxis network, the education experience can’t be beat by sitting in a classroom. What You’ll Learn: • How to relate your passion to your profession • How to distinguish yourself from your peers and competitors • How to teach yourself anything • How to be interesting and indispensable • How to create projects and get things done • Access to a world-class liberal arts curriculum library • Regular personal and professional development challenges The Education Experience Participant Activity Examples: • Optimize or redesign company website • Publish and sell an eBook • Create a podcast and record 12 episodes • Write weekly blog posts on what you’re learning and creating • Take ownership of projects at your business partner • Participate in regular group discussions with thought leaders and entrepreneurs • Develop an online portfolio to show personal value to marketplace View Participant Profiles Online: • Tamina Zaheri (Aceable) • Nick Tucker (KP Builders, Inc.) • Taylor Foreman (Vital Interaction)
- 5. DISCOVERPRAXIS.COM The Education Experience: Participants Business Partner: Aceable Location: Austin, TX I have always been a “do-er.” Sure I enjoy sitting around to contemplate ideas and talk in abstracts, but getting work done and solving problems is what I love to do. Praxis embodies getting work done. I dropped out of college because I felt as if my wings were clipped, whereas Praxis is letting me fly free. Sure, college tries to teach students how to fly, but I realized that you can’t learn how to be an entrepreneur by sitting at a desk reading about humanities. You become an entrepreneur by working at a small business or startup. It’s just like how we don’t teach kids how to walk by showing them pictures and reading to them about it, they learn how to walk by just doing it. Knowing that I am in the prime years of my life is pushing me to avoid taking the easy route of going to college. Instead, I want to learn and work towards my future. Praxis is exactly that. I have access to a fantastic education while working a job I love. Nothing else really offers that with such a great structure. Business Partner: KP Builders Inc. Location: Pittsburgh, PA During my senior year of high school, everyone was focused on figuring out what college they were going to attend. At the beginning of the year I saw college as virtually my only option for the coming Fall. As I started to fill out applications, I started to doubt the value of attending college at all and started to research alternatives. That’s when I discovered Praxis. It was exactly what I’d been looking for. It’s the incredible combination of real-world business experience and higher level education that I was so drawn to. I cannot wait to develop new skills and gain relevant professional knowledge working with my business partner over the next year. In my opinion, this is one of the most important steps I’ve taken to increase my value to others. Plus, Praxis is comprised of some of the most brilliant minds I’ve interacted with and the opportunity to be learning from them is just incredible. Tamina Zaheri Nick Tucker
- 6. DISCOVERPRAXIS.COM Business Experience Benefits: • Shadow your CEO/Founder • Complete a self-driven project at your busi- ness partner • Receive customized job coaching • Gain transferable skills and experiences • Work full-time for 10-months at an amazing company and jumpstart your career The Praxis Business Experience provides you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. Upon accep- tance into the program our placement specialists work with you to find the best business partner match for your skills. BP Industries (including, but not limited to): • Consumer Tech • Enterprise Tech • Energy • Manufacturing • Hospitality Services • Construction • Marketing • Advertising • Boutique retail/eCommerce • B2B Services • Real Estate • Finance/Hedge Funds The Business Experience: What’s In It? Attributes of Praxis BP’s: • They’re growing quickly. • They’re small (i.e., they aren’t a Fortune 500 company … yet). • They work in an interesting industry or create or produce an innovative service or product for an existing industry. • The executive team is involved on a day-to- day basis. • They need diverse talent that can work in several areas of the company. Participants start the business experience in month 3 of the program and live and work wherever their business partner is located during the next ten months. Participants work 30 hours a week, are paid $10/ hour, and learn from successful entrepreneurs what it is like to found and scale a business while building a professional portfolio of projects, connections, and practical skills. This is much more than an internship. Participants shadow the CEO or founder of their business partner throughout their placement and learn the day-to-day of a growing company. Participants add real value, take ownership over real projects, and experience their business partners as real team members. All the while, they work with Praxis staff by learning skills and developing projects to accelerate their professional growth. Whether you want to start a company someday yourself or want to be more entrepreneurial with your career the Praxis Business Experience is going to be incredibly valuable. Examples of Praxis BP’s: • Aceable (Austin, TX) • Zoobean (Washington, D.C.) • Advantage Media Group (Charleston, SC) • Owens Harkey Advertising (Phoenix, AZ) • Bitpay (Atlanta, GA)
- 7. The Education Experience: Components DISCOVERPRAXIS.COM Deliverables: Throughout the program participants “ship” components that work towards their broader goals (e.g.,a product created or sold, an event run, a website built, a business plan, a professional portfolio, etc.). These are designed to demonstrate the participant’s ability to create value in a tangible way. We believe in the power of “show” over “tell”. Let the world see what you can do rather than trust a grade or resume. The Curriculum Library: The Praxis curriculum library is an extensive database of resources curated by professors, researchers, and entrepreneurs to help participants develop the critical thinking skills, economic understanding, historical knowledge, moral reasoning, and professional acumen to excel as entrepreneurs. Participants choose from the modules and complete at least three through the program. Group Discussions: Participants engage in bi-weekly group discussions with academics, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders where they can hear their stories and advice, and ask questions. Current participants as well as Praxis alumni are able to participate. Bootcamp: The first 60 days of the program are an intensive bootcamp to get participants ready to perform their best at their business partner. The bootcamp is done remotely and includes a digital presence project, a basic website build, an entrepreneurship curriculum, a series of personal development projects and workshops to help them hone in on their unique skills, goals, and areas for improvement. PDP’s: Each month after the bootcamp participants complete a 30 day professional development project (PDP) with checkpoints curated by their Praxis advisor. A PDP is a short-term set of challenges with the goal of gaining self-knowledge, overcoming obstacles to success, and gaining mastery in areas of value to the individual and the marketplace. 1-on-1 Coaching Sessions: Imagine having a personal coach who helps you navigate creative challenges you face on the job and in your education efforts. Participants each have an advisor who helps clarify goals, encourages self-examination, and bring accountability to achievement of PDP’s and program outcomes through weekly one-on-one coaching sessions.