In a conversation with James Currier, Austen Allred, Co-Founder and CEO of Lambda School, shares his perspective on the current state of the US educational system and the need for alternatives.
Drawing from his personal experience of dropping out of college, Allred discusses the new American dream and how Lambda School is helping to shape it.
Self-Determination as the American Dream
The true definition of the American dream is self-determination.
Lambda School provides this by teaching students how to learn and solve challenges on their own.
The school also helps students build a network and get their foot in the door at companies, providing a path for self-determination.
The Value of Experience Over Degrees
The high cost and long duration of college education often do not justify the opportunity cost of spending four years in a university setting.
The value of four years of experience in a field can often outweigh the value of a fresh college degree.
Challenges of Breaking Out of Traditional Education
Cultural norms, laws, regulations, and government-backed financing operations have entrenched the current system, making it inflexible and resistant to change.
Despite the success of Lambda School, breaking out of the traditional education system presents significant challenges.
My definition is self-determination. You can call that freedom if you would like but one’s ability to carve one own path and do what you would prefer to do. For most of our students frankly that is constrained by money. – Austen Allred
Alignment of Goals
Lambda School’s approach to education is unique in that the school’s incentives are entirely aligned with the students’.
If the students don’t get hired, the school’s staff and instructors lose their jobs.
This alignment of goals is not common in traditional educational institutions.
The Broken Educational System
The current US educational system is not adequately serving young people, with a disproportionate focus on university education as the only path to higher education and job training.
This model is seen as broken, with other ways to obtain knowledge and skills being overlooked.
Lambda School’s Mission
Lambda School aims to get students into high-paying career paths as quickly as possible.
The school does not require tuition upfront and focuses on teaching skills that are in high demand.
The goal is to shorten the time it takes to get a high-paying job and increase the value that students can provide.
Lambda School’s Approach
Lambda School provides the ‘American dream as a service’ by giving people the skills and confidence they need to carve their own path.
The school does not look at financial means, credit history, work history, or grades when accepting students.
Instead, it focuses on teaching skills and providing a network of alumni and companies to help students get their foot in the door.
I think the average person grossly underestimates the importance of incentives and I think America is kind of drunk on the idea of a university being the only possible path to higher education and to jobs and job training and skills achievement. – Austen Allred
Focus on Job Placement
The reputation and alignment of Lambda School are built on the quality of its graduates.
The school works closely with companies when building the curriculum, ensuring that the students are well-prepared for the job market.
This focus on job placement is a key differentiator for Lambda School.
The Importance of Network Effects
The network effect in the educational experience is crucial.
Lambda School creates a sense of achievement and exclusivity among its students, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging, referred to as ‘tribal network effects’.
Universities as Selection Filters
Universities often serve as a selection filter rather than a source of knowledge.
The focus is often on getting into a prestigious university, rather than on the quality of education received once admitted.
This focus on selection criteria over course content is a significant issue in the current educational system.
The German Education Model
The German education system is highlighted as a model that makes sense.
In Germany, students decide their career paths earlier and have multiple optional paths to choose from.
This approach allows them to start their lives earlier and with less debt compared to American students.
The Changing American Dream
The American dream has evolved over the years.
Many people no longer believe in it due to factors such as ancestry, privilege, race, and wealth.
However, with the right skills and resources, anyone can create wealth and achieve self-determination.
