I’m not talking about the training courses Greg Kirsch offers on Thursdays, though they do relate to this blog further down. No, I’m referring instead to the revelation I had mere moments ago.

PlattForm’s like college.

I guess it’s kind of fitting, seeing as how that’s who we’re advertising for most of the time, but think about it. Our offices are kind of like dorms. We spend the majority of our time together getting to know each other. We go out after work to bars and see movies together and hang out like one would with their roommates. We discuss TV shows and our personal lives and even (don’t pretend like you don’t, too) work gossip. Sometimes the really nutty kids (who I suppose you could liken to students who spend all their free time at the library) are here into the wee hours of the morning. Our managers are our RAs and Michael’s the Dean of Students.

To further the comparison, we also have a vast array of extracurricular activities to choose from. In fact, I think I’m involved in more stuff here than I was when I was actually in school. I help copyedit and plan the Podium, the company’s monthly newsletter (school newspaper). I’m finishing up my term as a founding member of the Culture Club, a group in charge of keeping things fun and team-oriented. I also blog occasionally (as you can see). Furthermore, we participate in Corporate Challenge and philanthropic events, and most of our employees slouch around in jeans and t-shirts and flip-flops like they’re going to an early morning lab class. Not to mention that our desks are all littered with personal paraphernalia (I admit I have way too much kitsch on my desk) for a little taste of home.

Then there’s the aforementioned PlattForm University classes (some work has to be done in between all the socializing). I liken those to tutoring sessions. Are you struggling with something or just want to know more about a subject? Sign up for a class. Take some notes. Apply the teachings.

So, in some crazy way, we really know our audience. Granted, we target more career colleges that appeal to people already working or who have decided that going back to school is a great idea, but not so much the four-year universities. But I have to think that being in an environment that’s so much like one we’ve all already known puts us in the perfect mindset to focus on how to bring our experiences and successes to new students and help them make new futures for themselves.