From Student to Startup with Justin Samuels

Careers aren’t linear and learning shouldn’t be either. Justin Samuels has lived that reality, from working in higher ed to senior engineering at Mailchimp to founding RenderATL. Along the way, he's learned one truth: the skills you need tomorrow don't exist in today's textbooks. In this episode of UnchartED State, Sean Owen and Maddie Ludt sit down with Justin for a candid conversation about what it really takes to grow in fast-moving industries and what higher education needs to do differently. From embedded internships that put students in the trenches to hiring people smarter than yourself, Justin unpacks where colleges struggle to keep pace with industry and why teaching adaptability matters more than teaching tools. This conversation is about building the kind of learners who don't just survive change. They drive it.Drawing from his journey as a Mississippi State alum, engineer, and entrepreneur, Justin unpacks what higher education gets right, where it struggles to keep up with industry, and why adaptability, belonging, and learning how to learn matter more than any single credential.In This Episode:Changing careers (not just jobs) and embracing uncertaintyBuilding community and belonging in remote and hybrid worldsWhy degrees matter less than experience, mindset, and curiosityHiring people who are smarter than you and why that’s a strengthThe role of internships, co-ops, and industry partnerships in closing skill gapsLearning how to learn in a world that changes faster every yearCareers aren’t linear, innovation isn’t tidy, and learning never really ends. This episode explores how breaking things, thoughtfully, can lead to better leaders, stronger communities, and more resilient learners.