This episode: Why the Traditional College Path Is Failing Our Kids—and What One Dad (Phil Vetrano) Did About It.
Here’s what you’ll learn about:
Phil Vetrano’s Transformation from Corporate America to Education Advocacy (0:00)
- Host Drew Deraney introduces Guest Phil Vetrano, thanking Gennifer Birnbach for the introduction and discussing the concept of life being a linear path.
- Drew explains the three types of people: Man Number One who is unaware of adversity, Man Number Two who sees adversity as a barrier, and Man Number Three who sees adversity as an opportunity for Growth.
- Phil Vetrano shares his experience in corporate America, where he faced challenges due to his helpful nature and the authoritarian structure of the organization.
- Phil discusses his background in strategic management and the lack of feedback and empowerment in his previous job, leading him to seek a new path.
Phil’s Journey into Education and College Consulting (3:45)
- Phil talks about his career coach’s questions about what he enjoys doing, which led him to help his son with college analysis.
- He explains the complexity of making informed decisions about college, highlighting the need for over 100 skills and 100 variables.
- Phil shares his passion for educating students and parents about the college decision-making process, noting the high dropout rates and the lack of support for students.
- He emphasizes the importance of providing valuable information to students and parents, which they often do not receive from guidance counselors, teachers, or parents.
Challenges and Opportunities in College Admissions (9:12)
- Drew and Phil discuss the limitations of guidance counselors in high schools and the challenges parents face in supporting their children’s college decisions.
- Phil explains the linear mindset of many parents, who expect their children to follow the same path they did, often without considering the individual needs and interests of their children.
- They talk about the lack of support for trade schools, community colleges, and gap years, and the need for more flexible and diverse educational paths.
- Phil shares his experience working with students with special needs, highlighting the importance of individualized support and career advice.
Networking and Building Community Support (13:44)
- Phil discusses the importance of networking and the impact it can have on career opportunities and personal growth.
- He shares his own experience of limited networking in corporate America and the significant opportunities he found after starting his own business.
- Phil emphasizes the value of helping others and the potential for networking to create a supportive community.
- He talks about the nonprofit organization he started, Helpipedia, which connects people who care about supporting students and families.
Phil’s Advice for Parents and Students (19:34)
- Phil shares a story about Joe Montana and his sons, highlighting the challenges of parental advice and the importance of finding the right mentors and coaches.
- He advises parents not to be too hard on themselves if their children do not follow their advice and to focus on providing opportunities for career exploration.
- Phil emphasizes the importance of connecting students with professionals in different fields to help them understand their options and make informed decisions.
- He encourages parents to support their children’s dreams and provide them with the resources and connections they need to succeed.
To learn more about Phil’s mission, go to his LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-vetrano-mba/ or his website(s) at https://planningandvision.com | https://helpipedia.org.
Phil Vetrano Bio
Over 20 yrs. of IT Management & consulting experience.
Identifying & analyzing challenges & delivering insightful & robust solutions to improve operations and performance.
Help students & families optimize their investment in College.
Provide students with a competitive edge in Career Planning and standing out on College Applications and their resume.
Cofounded 501c3 non profit organization to address the educational and skill gaps not covered in school or at home to set up our youth for life, college, and career success.
About your host: I’m Drew Deraney, the proud father of three children. For most of my life I’ve been concerned with what people thought of me and how I was supposed to act. I learned not to be my authentic self and instead became a people pleaser, a man wearing a mask.
In a 9-month span a few years ago, I endured four faith-shaking life events that caused me to question my existence.
I became determined to find a better way to live. Through intense self-reflection and awareness, I realized that in order to be happy, I must adhere to my standards of honesty, integrity and truth and needed to break free from the belief system that was anchored in me for close to 50 years.
I now believe that success happens when we find a better way and are willing and able to share it. HOW I do that is by challenging the status quo and thinking differently. Ultimately, WHAT I bring to the table is a way to contribute and add value by having an impact on the lives of others.
My company, Profit Compassion LLC consists of 3 paths:
The Caregiver Family Health Coach: coach for caregivers of individuals with special needs, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). For Caregivers who are open to a conversation about how I can support you on your Caregiving journey: I help caregivers find balance, build resilience, and rediscover their own well-being. Through personalized Coaching, I provide practical strategies, emotional support, and the tools to reduce Burnout, strengthen Relationships, and navigate the challenges of caregiving with confidence. My goal is to empower you to care for yourself as compassionately as you care for your loved one.
The Mindful Man Movement: men’s self-discovery coach, speaker, podcast host, author. For Men Seeking Answers Within: Imagine having crystal clear knowledge of your purpose in life where you make confident decisions, and are assertive, productive, and at peak Mental Health. Corporate executives hire me to guide them to tap into their natural power through self-discovery so they may write their own story and live the life they want to live.
WealthPath Strategies & Solutions: health/wellness and financial services to support individuals and businesses.
Join me in transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. Let’s embark on this journey together.
HOW TO CONNECT WITH COACH DREW:
Website: https://profitcompassion.com/
Email: [email protected]
Book a discovery call: https://link.mavericksystems.online/widget/bookings/netweaving/connect30
Pick up a copy of Drew’s book: https://amzn.to/40dsbyR or https://bit.ly/BandNDrew
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtwMTiiZvnhTpsaCYMK6oqg?sub_confirmation=1
Drew Deraney now travels the world both to Live and Virtual Events showing mostly men the steps needed to strengthen self-identity and self-worth, to overcome self-limiting beliefs, and to build confidence while being authentic, maintaining boundaries and to transcend people pleasing skills to become the person they are destined to be. Drew challenges them to reach deep inside and make a lasting impact.
In a 9-month span, Drew experienced a grueling divorce, job loss, his son’s suicidal ideations, and his father’s death which devastated Drew emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. It is a commonality for men to consider any challenge as a weakness as well as to show emotion and ask for help. While writing his book, Drew realized he was not the only man suffering in silence. With more clarity of purpose than ever, he began asking for help. Drew Deraney’s mission is to help especially men, release their inner greatness by showing vulnerability, keeping in integrity of their power, and making a great impact on the people in their lives both personally and professionally.
Drew Deraney was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ where he still lives to this day caring for his elderly mom and his 3 adult children Matthew, Nicholas, and Emma. Drew earned his B.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Applied Psychology, and two psychology research publications while at Fairfield University; a scholarship from the Healthcare Financial Management Association; and his M.B.A. in Health Care Administration from Baruch College / Mount Sinai School of Medicine in NY. His hospital career spanned 24 years where he was co-chair of the Leadership Institute, spoke at JD Power, was one of three leaders interviewed by The Commonwealth Fund, received his Communicating with Empathy Trainer certification and is a Certified Patient Experience Professional. Four years ago, Drew founded Profit Compassion LLC, an entity to coach and empower mostly men to create resiliency and authenticity as Chief Resilience Officer. Drew is the podcast host of ‘From Caving in to Crushing It’ and recently became a best-selling author with his book ‘I’ll Have What She’s Having’ - Memoir of a reformed People Pleaser.
