Future Imagineer
It was appropriate that while taking a break from Evan’s State Robotics competition at the Tampa Fairgrounds, I walked into another building and found a College/University event. I found my school, the University of West Florida.
Earlier in the week, I had finished reading a book that Evan read called, “One Little Spark.†In this book, I read a letter written by Disney Imagineer, Dave Fisher, who spoke about the importance of the diversity of learning.
“Try not to limit your interest to the world of Disney. Let it be a point of entry to the discovery of other subjects, such as cultural studies, robotics, film disciplines, art, history, whatever.â€
I reached out to Dave and thanked him for his wisdom and taking the time to write to students. As I wrote, I wondered how I might begin to do the same, to encourage and guide--maybe even inspire. Dave was kind enough to write back.
“I’ve had the honor of having a few of those kids appear at my door years later and tell me that it was my letter inspired them to continue pursuing their dream of becoming an Imagineer - and now here they were, seeing their dream become a reality.â€
Back at the robotics competition, I had a new view of what it all meant and how it fits into a bigger picture. It was one step of Evan’s diversity of learning. A whole room full of kids who are going to need a whole lot of encouragement, guidance, and inspiration along the way. I was thankful for the volunteers who I heard say, "well done, nice run, you should be proud of that attempt,' and the many hours of hard work that go almost unnoticed.
These words, these events, these leaders represent the exact need of our youth and the adults looking towards continuing education and career changes. In fact, without this guidance and growing skill set, we will be left paused in the midst of a shift that is coming like a tidal wave.
After all, 65% of children now entering primary school will hold jobs that currently don’t exist.* Same is true of adults.
*World Economic Forum