By: Tori Berube, MFF Marketing & Outreach
“Learn something today that you can use tomorrow.” This is Morgan Franklin Fellowship Foundation (MFF) Executive Director Judi Window’s philosophy when it comes to learning. David Tirrell-Wysocki is the former executive director for the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications and a contributing writer for Fiddlehead, a publication for those interested in living a sustainable lifestyle in southern New Hampshire. These two friends recently met over a cup of coffee as part of MFF’s Coffee & Conversation program to talk about how a love of lifelong learning and non-traditional paths have shaped their careers and lives.
Interesting tidbits shared during this engaging conversation include:
- “If you want to be an expert on something, just tell people you are. Just do it.” While you may not be an expert in a certain topic today, could you be? Judi encouraged attendees to “just say yes to whatever the opportunity” and to use that opportunity to continue to learn and become that expert. What opportunities do you have to learn from, outside of a traditional classroom or in your current role in the workplace? Might there be an opportunity with an organization to do something not in your area of study or in your profession but something that has always interested you? These types of opportunities may help you to become knowledgeable in a new software or platform, teach you a new skill or help you to network with others.
- There are other paths to career and life success other than earning a college degree. Every step along your career path and learning track, whether it has the desired outcome, is a building block and teaches you something. They should be considered part of your journey of lifelong learning. You may be the subject matter expert in a certain topic. You may be passionate about a topic. You may have made mistakes in a certain discipline and think that might not be a career or path for you. It doesn’t matter – you will take away something from each of these; they are all part of your story.
- Going above and beyond what is expected of you in a task or job will help you be recognized and stand out, getting chances to move along in your own journey. Jump in with both feet!
To read David’s original Fiddlehead story on Judi’s passion for lifelong learning from October 2019, click .
A Journey to Personal Financial Success
Standards of Financial Literacy (SFL), MFF’s signature program, supports the concept of personal financial freedom by giving participants of all ages the insight to set goals, track net worth and apply acquired knowledge. This online, self-paced program is ideal for individuals and groups alike.
Upon successful completion of SFL’s six-module course, participants become an MFF Fellow. Becoming an MFF Fellow is the ticket to access additional MFF courses and opportunities for mentoring, networking, internships and hands-on projects. These are the opportunities which allow MFF Fellows to continue their journey to personal financial success.
To learn more about this exciting program, click here.
