Preparing Students & Young Adults for a Rapidly Changing World

Not long ago, career paths were more predictable. Students could complete their education, enter the workforce, the military, or become entrepreneurs. They could anticipate an excellent standard of living, a home, cars, vacations, financial security, and the ability to retire by age 65. – This was the American Dream, and the US was the Land of Opportunity.

Today’s environment is markedly different. Our young adults must prepare for a new age of change – The Age of Artificial Intelligence.

Technological advancement and artificial intelligence are reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace. Employment structures are evolving. Employers require critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective written and oral communication in culturally diverse teams.

Employees must be able to:

• Navigate multiple career transitions
• Understand and make complex company and personal financial and investment decisions
• Evaluate continued education/training. Will it provide the competitive edge to retain employment or to obtain a better job?
• Adapt to economic shifts influenced by AI and global competition
• Make informed decisions in early adulthood that will impact the long-term future.

Many graduates enter this environment without preparation in financial decision-making and critical thinking.

Decker & Associates equips students with durable decision-making frameworks that remain relevant regardless of economic shifts or age. Online material with integrated companion notebooks prepares students in financial decision-making. They learn:

• Analytical reasoning
• Long-term planning discipline
• Applied economic interpretation
• Risk evaluation and tradeoff analysis
• Financial modeling and investment literacy

How is this possible? Students initially resist thinking. For 12 years, they have been rewarded for memorizing course content. To transition them to fundamental critical thinking, we have students apply the Real Life ARED Model for Critical Thinking to major decisions and problem-solving, like selecting careers, buying a car, living with family, etc. They learn to Analyze the problem, conduct Research, using libraries, search engines, adult conversations and prompt engineering of Large Language Models (LLMs), to understand the background, possible solutions, short- and long-term consequences of the solutions, and develop a plan for implementation. They then Evaluate their possible answers through collaboration, modify the results, and finally Defend their solutions and strategic plan, in writing or oral presentations.

You have probably noticed that Real Life is not just another course. It challenges and motivates students in valued life skills, while developing confidence and leadership competencies.

Since the late 1970s, Decker & Associates has provided award-winning, practical financial education to individuals, families, employers, and community organizations.

In response to educator and parent demand, Decker Real Life courses were introduced in 2012 to bring applied financial reasoning into the high school classroom.

The curriculum has since expanded and is now adopted in multiple states and available to young adults and homeschools. Today, as the world rapidly changes, we include ARED to provide students with structured opportunities to apply intellectual ability to real-world decisions that impact their goals and aspirations.

Real Life course opportunities:

• Reinforce District Mission Statements with outcomes demonstrating students are prepared for financially secure futures, beyond graduation
• Enhance college curricula to develop critical thinking required for future employment 
• Increase teacher, professor, and parent financial decision-making for a more secure future
• Young adults avoid costly mistakes. Acquire financial education, apply ARED, set goals, create a written plan, implement wise decisions, and enjoy a successful life. Ideally, apply your talent to make a positive difference in the world!