Teaches:

Gaps, Leaps, & Sabbaticals: How to Design Transitions throughout Education & Careers

About me

Victor Saad is an entrepreneur, educator, and experience designer who helps people navigate major life and career transitions. In 2012, he created The Leap Year Project—a self-designed master’s program of 12 real-world projects—which led to the founding of Experience Institute, an organization that fosters experiential learning. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Victor also served as a Lecturer in Design at Stanford’s School of Engineering, where he helped shape experience-driven learning for future leaders. Today, he’s Chairman of Experience Institute and Chief Talent Officer at NextGen Growth Partners, continuing his mission to help others grow through bold, intentional leaps.

About Me

masterclass highlights

Learn how to turn uncertainty into momentum by designing learning experiences rooted in action and reflection.

Discover the power of small, intentional “leaps” as a framework for personal and professional transformation.

Gain tools to help students build clarity and confidence through real-world projects and experiential learning.

Explore how storytelling and community can transform career transitions into purposeful journeys.

Walk away with a replicable process for guiding learners through change with curiosity, creativity, and courage.

masterclass preview

Services

Program

DR. RICH FELLER

What’s Next and Preferred Futures

Career Readiness

For years you have forged partnerships, created pathways, and developed programs…yet we still have empty seats in our classes. While we balance preparing students for both higher education completion and the workforce, it is time to shift our messaging. If you seek broader institutional engagement in your outreach, enrollment management, student recruitment, and marketing efforts, then this masterclass is for you. It’s time to become their first choice.

You can't afford to wait another year.

Discover Career Readiness

Getting to Know Victor

1

What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

I started my own little business at 10. Took care of lawns, and pets, and ran errands for neighbors. I was pretty responsible, but one time, I neglected a dog during the final few days of a family's vacation. They returned to puddles of urine and piles of poop around the house. The worst was that the the dog had actually used the bathroom on the dining table — which was an act of sheer defiance and anger.

In that one lesson, I learned about responsibility, follow- through, and communication. Also, as much as I love dogs, I may not make for a great dog owner.

2

Why career readiness?

I grew up as a Middle Eastern kid in the Midwest. I didn't have a lot of people who understood the pressures of becoming a Doctor, Lawyer, or Engineer — while wanting to go an entirely different path. On top of that, my family went through several tough years. So my heroes were educators, guidance counselors, and my soccer coach. I knew I wanted to do something similar to those folks. I eventually found my fit in learning & development.

3