What I Meant to Say this Class Is About
(Or why I am still learning marketing)
A mentor of mine pointed out the important fact that I am terrible at marketing. Ok, that needs clarification: I am terrible at following other people’s marketing strategies.
If you’ve been watching me at all, then you know I’m working on a class that I want to give you. The name of the class?
“Launch Your Career, Without Working Like a Maniac.”
Why this name? I read a book and it gave a formula for naming the course:
[the thing your people want most], without [their biggest concern].
So here was my thought process: I am trying to help college students and young professionals live amazing lives. Too many people are freaked. When I look around I see students rushing from thing to thing, trying to fit it all in. Desperately working day and night just to get the minimum done. Trying to balance a huge course load with extra curricular activities, a part time job, and a social life. They’re running ragged.
Too many are stressed about money. They’ve got huge school bills to deal with, but they also have to make the month-to-month work for the first time ever. Even if they’re experienced and returning to school, they’re fighting a crazy battle: keep on top of their money while they have little to no income. When they graduate and get that paycheck, they have no idea what to do with it. I watch recent graduates blow their money and end up deeply in debt, just like so many lottery winners who find themselves broke again after just a few years.
While in school, as students near the summer they scramble to find relevant internships. Some do. Many end up working for a company in their dream field but only to sit in a cubicle crunching spreadsheets and getting the proverbial coffee. After an entire summer they have no new relevant experience to show for it.
When they near graduation they scramble to find a full time job. They try and fix up a resume and write a cover letter that doesn’t sound generic. They blast out 100 job applications to the internet and hope to hear something back. If they actually manage to land an interview they come across desperate. Desperate for a job. Desperate to make the last four years worth it.
I’ve been there. I was sure that enough accomplishments in college would unlock any door I wanted. I was wrong. But I made it, and I learned a lot along the way. You can see the details in yesterday’s story.
So what am I trying to do?
I’m trying to (1) give students and young pro’s hope that life can be better than this, and (2) the tools to actually make it happen.
Did I catch the [Thing my people want most] in my title? I’m not sure. But if you need clarification, here’s what we’re going to talk about:
- The Myths of Higher Education
- Get Control of Your Time
- Get Control of Your Money
- Do This in School
- Do This to Find a Job
- Do This in Your Early Career
If you’re a student: I want your college experience to be amazing. I want you to end up where you hoped when you graduate.
If you’re a young professional (anyone in the first few years of a new career): I want you to prosper. I want you to grow and win.
If you’re a human: I want you to love, absolutely LOVE your life.
Interested? Sign up for the free class at www.tonyferrar.com/question
Yes. It really is free.

