The Future of Work Challenge - A New Milestone
The Future of Work Challenge - A New Milestone
We're excited to share that the Future of Work Challenge has reached a new milestone, with over 180 students and 40 champions now participating in this program!
This remarkable growth reflects a shared recognition of how critical it is to prepare today's learners for tomorrow's career. The Future of work is evolving rapidly, and our students need more than adaptability, they need the skills and confidence to lead.
Since launching the challenge, students from diverse backgrounds have brought creativity, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial thinking to real-world challenges. With guidance from our incredible champions, they feel empowered to build bold, actionable visions of the workplace of tomorrow.
The projects emerging from this challenge span multiple disciplines. From AI-enhanced productivity tools to reimagined workplace communication platforms, and they challenge assumptions. Many participants are exploring how emerging technologies can create more inclusive, efficient, and human-centered work environments.
What's most inspiring? Students are using their unique lived experiences to imagine futures of work that traditional industry voices might overlook.
To keep the momentum, we’ve extended the registration deadline to July 18th, 2025. As we expanse our resources, we’re inviting more champions to join us to help engage the next generation of workplace innovators.
Student Projects Take the Global Stage
We are proud to announce that selected student videos will be showcased at two prestigious events:
- The UN AI for Good Summit: AI Futures: Reimagining Learning & Work in 2035 and Beyond
- NACCE's "Pathways to Prosperity" conference
These showcases are a celebration of student imagination, initiative, and real-world problem-solving. Through experiential learning, self-management, collaborative teamwork, AI-powered creativity, and powerful storytelling, these students are demonstrating the core competencies that tomorrow’s workplace will demand.
In Their Own Words: Champion Voices
“The Future of Work Challenge has been an integral part of learning for my interdisciplinary humanities students. Asking them to imagine a future, as it relates to their fields, is a great way to leverage student interest and passion in the name of more meaningful learning. The challenge gives students open terrain to be future-oriented thinkers as they consider what they will be as well as what their disciplines or careers might look like. This, in turn, helps learners understand why we study in the first place, a better future, and helps teacher and student alike identify what skills and tools are essential to that aspiration.”
“When students are first given the freedom to create, it can cause initial uncertainty because many are used to more algorithmic assignments - and we wonder why employers are telling us that we are sending them an unprepared workforce? Once students are coached and encouraged into feeling safe enough to create, they find out that they are capable of more than they had imagined and they even discover that getting outside their comfort zones together on teams can be fun and create new levels of belonging and community. Instead of the dreaded group project and jumping through assignment hoops, they become truly engaged in learning and skill building. SolveCC is giving us turnkey opportunities to transform learning inside and outside the classroom ... and, while some colleges are still wordsmithing their AI syllabus statements with a false sense of control, SolveCC challenges, such as the Future of Work, offer administrators, faculty, staff and students the opportunity to leverage AI as a creativity partner and learning tool in 2025 and beyond.”
“The Solve CC Future of Work project has greatly enhanced my business courses. It has encouraged creativity, enhanced interpersonal relationships, and promoted collaboration among my students. It is truly an honor to be a champion of this initiative and to inspire my students to think critically while engaging in a positive and enjoyable project.”
Student Spotlights: Real Stories, Real Impact
Stephanie:
"The AI aspect of the Future of Work Challenge really helped me organize my thoughts and turn my ideas into reality while balancing my other responsibilities - taking care of my two kids, working full-time, and going to school full-time. What seemed impossible became manageable, and I started getting excited because with all the tools, I realized I could not only make my project possible but actually make it good.
I would definitely encourage other students to attend the Solve-CC Hours. If you don't attend, you miss out on valuable conversations and guidance. I wouldn't have known about all these helpful AI tools without these sessions. The one-on-one conversations allowed me to share my ideas and get specific feedback on which tools would work best for my needs. Attending these hours gave me a much clearer path forward for my challenge."
Blessy:
"This project is heavily focused on our imagination, but our imagination is amplified through AI, which is truly unique. It's one thing to see something in your mind, but it's entirely different to see it in real life and think 'Wow, I created that!' It was very engaging because I learned new ways to use AI, not just for this project but also in my real life.
As silly as it sounds, I use it specifically for my science classes where topics are really condensed. For subjects like the respiratory system or the endocrine system with all those hormones I struggle with, I can ask AI to simplify concepts for me. It's been like a godsend that helps me engage better with both my classes and this project.
What students who don't attend the Solve-CC hours are missing is that one-on-one conversation with the people who actually run this program. They have experience with past projects and give really valuable advice. Without being here, I wouldn't have known that I have full control over this project and can freely use what many consider taboo in this time: AI. These sessions help me understand my boundaries while learning how to make my project more compelling for the competition."
New Resources Available
We’ve added new resources to support all participants:
- Professional Storytelling Tutorial - To help participants present their ideas with impact
- Guides for leveraging AI tools - to enhance projects with powerful tools
- Weekly SolveCC hours - for live support, guidance, and community connection for both students and champions.
- Thank you to every champion, student, and partner who continues to shape this journey. Your engagement helps us to drive this program forward.
Join the Future of Work Challenge
Are you ready to be part of preparing the next generation for careers that don't yet exist? The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) invites you to join the Future of Work Challenge: https://www.futureofworkchallenge.com/champions