Meet Randy Nelson. His title is Dean of Pixar University. Unlike most in-house training facilities, Pixar University’s role isn’t primarily to train employees in how to better perform their jobs, but to keep them educated, entertained and - ideally - employed at Pixar for decades.

In this video he explains what schools must do to prepare students for jobs in new media.

Money quote in the video:

Look at people who are interested, not those who are interesting.

As we sit down to revamp the application process for the upcoming Summer Edition of Grassroutes, this is definitely something that we will keep in mind. 

Sasha sums up the talk, with special relevance to the non-profit sector:

Other thoughts he shares on what he looks for:

1. Depth. Preference for the “proof of a portfolio rather than the promise of a resume.”

2. Breadth.  “We want someone who is extremely broad…we want someone who is more interested than they are interesting.”

3. Communication.  “Communication involves translation….do the translation at the sending end so it doesn’t have to be translated at the receiving end.” (techie to artist communication, for example)

4. Collaboration. “The amplification you get by connecting up a bunch of human beings who are listening to each other; interested in each other; bring separate depth to the problem….”

So, now you know what you would need to be a Grassroutes Fellow.