{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Solve for X","title":"Preparing Students for Careers Before Graduation With Wesley Burns","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1549,"description":"This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Wesley Burns, a senior at Willis ISD and the first-ever recipient of Bluekit's NIL Career Internship. In this special episode, Rick turns the microphone toward a student perspective, exploring how today's learners discover careers, prepare for the workforce, and think about their futures in a rapidly changing world.\nWesley shares his impressive journey balancing academics, athletics, leadership, and multiple internships while serving his community through a unique pallbearer ministry. From managing social media for a local business to interning at a law firm and preparing to work in a student-operated credit union, he reflects on how real-world experiences have shaped his confidence and career aspirations.\nThe conversation also explores how schools can better introduce career pathways, why social media plays a growing role in career exploration, and what students actually want from educational technology. Whether you're an educator, district leader, parent, or student, this episode offers valuable insights into preparing learners for careers before they graduate.\nWhat You'll Learn\nWhy career exploration should begin before high school\nHow internships help students build confidence and workplace skills\nWesley's experience becoming Bluekit's first NIL Career Intern\nThe value of balancing academics, athletics, and leadership opportunities\nHow social media influences career discovery for today's students\nWhy students benefit from seeing a wider variety of career options\nWhat makes educational technology valuable from a student's perspective\nThe importance of hands-on learning and authentic workplace experiences\nHow community service helped shape Wesley's leadership mindset\nWhy students appreciate tools that are simple, engaging, and meaningful\nWesley's goals after graduation and his plans for the future\nEpisode Timestamps\n03:09 Building Experience Through Multiple Internships\n06:02 Serving the Community...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/ICghszv8nAx-6isl02_dCXZ8qX2a8xiWRtrzRrHIAJo/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wOTQ5/MmZjNjk1ODU4ZWE4/YmFmMmZhMWJlZjEy/M2FmYy5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}