Harnessing the Fire: The Power of Young Professionals
In today's world where we blindly pursue power and bumble grasping for meaning in the increasingly abstract nature of our social reality, there is a unique, untamed energy that young minds bring to the table—an energy that is both transformative and invigorating; an undying fire flickering with the burning potential of humanity.
At Spark!, we have witnessed first-hand the profound impact that young professionals can have when given the opportunity to flourish. Their fresh perspectives, unfiltered creativity, and fearless innovation not only rejuvenate the workplace but also pave the way for future successes that are both meaningful and enduring.
Today, we have the privilege of sharing insights from Ayana, our vibrant Community Engagement Officer, whose journey through the Jack Petchey internship scheme has been nothing short of inspiring. Ayana embodies the spirit of resilience and the boundless potential that young professionals bring. Her story is a testament to the immense value of investing in the next generation—not just to fulfil quotas, but to genuinely enrich and evolve our organisations.
Join us as we delve into Ayana's experiences, exploring how her fearlessness?and uncorrupted vision have not only inspired but also cleaned the lens through which we view our mission and impact.
Interview with Ayana Khan,?Community Engagement Officer at Spark!
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background???
Ayana: My name is Ayana and I am the Community Engagement Officer?at Spark!, an opportunity made possible by the Jack Petchey internship scheme. I am 21 and graduated last year with a degree in social anthropology. ?
After graduating, I started looking for a job and it took me just under a year to find the right one. ?Despite having worked super hard throughout school and university, finding a job was still an extremely challenging process. This is why Spark!, a youth employment charity dedicated to exactly this issue, felt like such a perfect fit as I have experienced just how difficult it is as a young person to enter the working world.?
Alongside my studies I worked at?a children’s camp and nannied, which fuelled my interest to work with young people. I believe to achieve significant change in the world, we must focus on the younger generation and ensure they are well-supported in their transition into adulthood. ?
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Can you explain what the Jack Petchey Internship scheme is and why it's important for young people trying to enter the charity sector?
Ayana: First, let me give you a little insight into what the Jack Petchey Internship scheme is. The Jack Petchey Foundation is a youth charity, and I think this is their sixth year running the internship programme. They fund 30 interns to work in different youth charities across London and Essex. As part of the scheme, you are paired with a mentor from another youth charity and you attend six workshops throughout the year where you learn important employment and professional development skills.?
Getting into the charity sector can be super hard, everyone wants to do good which is great but makes it tough for those with less work experience. The internship opens doors for those of us who might not have had the opportunity otherwise and through opening it up to those who have not been to university it makes it even more accessible. Alongside the job itself the scheme creates a continuous support system, made up of the employees at Jack Petchey, your mentor and?fellow interns, making the daunting nature of a first job less scary and isolating. ?
The programme also places you in rooms with people you might not usually meet. For example, at our first conference, we met a couple of amazing CEOs from big youth charities. Having the chance to sit and talk with them was such a valuable opportunity and one that was only possible through the internship.?
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How has this experience influenced your career aspirations or future goals??
Ayana: This experience has made me very aware that I'm interested in staying in the youth sector, whether in a charity or another type of organisation. Young people are the future, and it's so important?to invest our time, resources and energy into those who will shape the world we live in.?
?In terms of my actual role, it is primarily focused on communications and whilst I usually lean towards the delivery side I’ve found my interest in communications a great discovery. As a charity, we engage in many amazing projects, so it’s great to be part of the team that can share the success stories and hard work of the team and the young people we work with to the wider community. I have always loved stories and storytelling and in my role I get to help create and share the stories of Spark! which I love.?
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?What challenges have you faced during your internship and how did you overcome them?? ?
Ayana: One challenge I've faced is the perception of the term ‘intern’. Sometimes job titles, like any social labels, can carry certain connotations and stereotypes - and ‘intern’ specifically can feel limiting or make you feel like you shouldn't be in certain rooms, or that you aren't worthy of certain opportunities. So I’ve found that it's important to step away from that mindset?and?believe?that you're just as capable and deserving, regardless of your job title.?
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To overcome this, I've focused on giving myself every opportunity possible and taking advantage of every chance that comes my way. Working in a charity that focuses on youth employability and employment has been beneficial, as I fit the demographic we serve. My managers truly value my professional and personal growth, which has been really encouraging and allowed me to step away from any limitations tied to my title.?
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How has Spark! helped you grow both personally and professionally? ?
Ayana: I think being in a space with lots of likeminded people who want to do good in the world has been really great, both personally and professionally. Having the opportunity to learn from people with much more experience than me has been invaluable.?
As our team is quite small, everyone pitches in and helps out, this hands-on approach makes me feel like I’m always making a difference and that my ideas and opinions are valued within the team. I feel like because of this, I have in a short period of time learnt a lot and been able to take autonomy over my work. ?
What advice would you give to other young people who are looking to start their careers??
Ayana: I would say go into every single room as your best self. You never know who you're going to meet, what connection you're going to make. It's important to always be your best self, have people leaving an interaction and remembering you. Sometimes, you might not get what you expect out of a conversation, it could be less or it could be more but the main focus should always be on creating good, meaningful and positive connections with people. This is something I live by and value highly.?
Also, it’s super important to hold on to your own skill set and not to compromise your values just because you think you have to. Always remember that a workplace is just as lucky to have you as you are to have a job from them.?
Conclusion
Organisations everywhere should take note: embracing young professionals is not merely a gesture of goodwill but a strategic imperative. Their Promethean fire is what we need— to guide us towards a future where creativity and compassion replace the stale pursuit of power.
By investing in their energy and fresh perspectives, we unlock new possibilities and foster an environment ripe for innovation and growth. Let us harness this youthful energy to illuminate the true from the false, to supplant absurdity with the love of humanity, and to construct a world that is not only fit for purpose but also free from the shackles of struggle, paving the way for a brighter, more equitable tomorrow.
Creating a society in which all young people are ready, equipped, motivated, and able to enter the world of work.
Want to get involved and make a real impact with Spark!?
Check out the Spark! volunteering page for all up-to-date opportunities: - Spark! - Kick starting careers (sparkcharity.org.uk)
For general enquires contact: [email protected]
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