April 3, 2023 | Harold Hare

Find Your Grind’s Insights at SXSW

The Magic of Self-Discovery

The South by Southwest (SXSW) festival held annually in Austin, Texas draws over 300,000 global visitors seeking the finest in music, film, and interactive media. Find Your Grind participated in the SXSW EDU panel focusing on student empowerment through self-discovery, successful implementation, and personal journeys. It was emphasized that preparing students for success in life started with understanding who they were, including their talents, skills, values, and the lifestyle they wanted to live. By being challenged with inquiry and self-reflection, students became well-equipped for life with an open mind, a core sense of self, and optimism for their futures.

Panel: Success in Life Through Self-Discovery

Mary Margaret of Entertainment Weekly moderated the panel discussion, with a lineup of panelists that included Nick Gross, the Founder and CEO of Find Your Grind, Dr. Rudy Crew, a former chancellor of New York City Public Schools and superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and Tamara Gilbert, a Lead Business Planner for General Motors, Find Your Grind Mentor, and fierce advocate for women in manufacturing.

. . . [kids] can command their own psyche in a way that allows them to understand how to interact with other people and interact in the world.
Dr. Rudy Crew

Panelists:

Nick Gross: Founder and CEO of Find Your Grind
Dr. Rudy Crew: Former chancellor of New York City Public Schools and superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Tamara Gilbert: Lead Business Planner for General Motors, Find Your Grind Mentor, and fierce advocate for women in manufacturing

Nick Gross

Nick Gross emphasized the importance of self-awareness in unlocking life-long self-discovery and exploration. Nick Gross suggested that by dedicating an hour every day to exploring their own thoughts and desires, students could learn to evaluate life and approach unique situations positively. Find Your Grind has made this dream a reality by empowering students to think, reflect, and discover beyond just career goals, allowing them to explore their true selves and the lifestyle they want to lead.

The importance of self-awareness

The path of self-discovery

Dr. Rudy Crew

Dr. Rudy Crew stressed the importance of helping children overcome struggles as a means to facilitate their self-discovery. He emphasized that learning goes beyond just teaching, as it involves absorbing information, processing it, and understanding how it impacts one’s life. By guiding children to embrace both their strengths and weaknesses, they can discover their true selves. Dr. Rudy Crew also talked about the value of uncovering the worth and wonder of work. He stated that a teacher’s role is to recognize and amplify each student’s unique talents, like diamonds, and create opportunities that inspire them to shine.

Overcoming obstacles through guidance, self-reflection, and learning

What was your journey of self-discovery?

Tamara Gilbert

Tamara Gilbert highlighted the challenges young women face as they transition from middle school to high school. This is a critical moment to provide guidance and support to help them realize their full potential. Tamara Gilbert emphasized that nurturing children’s self-awareness and helping them identify their strengths and unique qualities is crucial to their personal growth. When others recognize and acknowledge our talents, it can have a profound impact on our sense of self-worth and potential for success. Aptitude tests and mentor advice can be invaluable in shaping success paths for students and playing a positive role in their career trajectories. By empowering students to reflect on their inner thoughts and feelings, they gain a clearer understanding of their life paths and are better equipped to pursue their goals.

Mentorship opportunities are critical for middle school students

Validation through recognition of strengths

Self-discovery is identifying your talents and strengths.

The importance of evaluations and advice

View the complete panel discussion on-demand

Watch the complete panel discussion below which outlines the critical role of self-awareness, guidance, and support in helping students realize their full potential. Nick Gross emphasized the value of dedicating time to self-reflection and self-discovery, while Dr. Rudy Crew stressed the importance of helping children overcome struggles to facilitate their self-discovery. Tamara Gilbert highlighted the challenges young women face as they transition to high school and the need to nurture their self-awareness and help them identify their strengths. Empowering students to reflect on their inner thoughts and feelings and providing them with mentorship and guidance shapes their success paths and enables them to pursue their goals with clarity and confidence.

The panel discussion closely aligns with Find Your Grind’s learning journey. Find Your Grind is customized to meet students’ needs, empower them to pursue their passions, and prepare them for a successful future. Our curriculum fosters self-awareness, future-proofing skills, and exposure to careers and industries. To learn more, contact us.