Science teachers are awesome!!

Mr. Hughes, my high school science teacher,  started me on problem solving in high school.

As my teacher for 4 years, he constantly sent me and the other students off on research projects of our own devising. When I got to college, the library was a familiar resource for research on anything. 

Adding to Mr. Hughes foundation, my college courses included philosophy, economics, psychology, and history as well as the less standard celestial navigation, commercial diving, and auto mechanics. All were deeply steeped in problem solving and grew those muscles.  This was an excellent setup for work after college. 

Problem solving for the win

Post college I've worked in multiple industries and roles. Every time my ability to solve problems has been a key component for my progress and career growth, especially in Silicon Valley. This has also become a key part of my hiring strategy. 

And Hiring

After thousands of interviews and hundreds of hires, I focus on problem solving more than anything in a resume. Irrespective of roles - candidates ability to understand and solve problems is a repeatable success metric. I don't ask about hypothetical problems golf balls in a 747, I ask about real world experiences of problems they have solved. 

As a bonus, consistent problem solvers are less stressed and great team players. 

How do your students learn problem solving skills? I hope your school has an equivalent of Mr. Hughes🙂