Inspiring the future, whilst they inspire me
You forget what it is like being 15 years old. Being in “year 10” (or the 4th Form in old money) with your life, your career and the whole world stretching out in front of you. Daunting really. However, the Educations and Employers Taskforce has a vision to ensure that every school and college has an effective partnership with employers to provide its young people with the inspiration, motivation, knowledge, skills and opportunities they need to help them achieve their potential and so to secure the UK's future prosperity. We can sign up to that. And I did, via the Inspiring the Future programme, volunteering to offer some basic interview training last week for year 10 students at Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School in Leeds.
Not only was it great to see enthusiasm and energy from staff there to tap into the wider business community and volunteers to give the students something a little bit extra, but it also shines a light on the future talent in our country. Some of these kids might enter the work force in just over a couple of years; some not for six or seven. The pace of change in the world of work is such that it is difficult to predict what skills/experiences/qualifications will be needed. And that makes their next choices really tough.
A common – and if slightly frustrating theme – was the lack of “advice” sought from those closest to them: parents, aunts, uncles, friends of the family. A couple of weeks ago, LinkedIn published a great blog on the back of “Bring in Your Parents Day” on the best advice given by parents. And although the world of work changes from generation to generation (or try year to year, month to month…), it is such an invaluable starting point. If charity begins at home, so should networking. Ask around. Knock on the neighbour’s door and ask them. More knowledge makes these tough choices slightly less so.
But whatever happens, it is safe to say that interpersonal skills such as communication, passion and ambition are never going to go away.
And there was plenty of that in abundance. I met a future entrepreneur for sure. He probably doesn’t know it yet, but you could sense it in his passion for exploring different experiences and how he was thinking he can convert that into business ideas. I met a future aeronautical engineer as well. She has an innate drive to learn and seek out answers, and was setting her sights on the far horizon, literally and metaphorically. I met a young man with a greater sense of mindfulness and clarity of purpose of improving others’ lives through a variety of wellbeing areas, yet did not realise that he could pursue a pluralist career, rather than the silo’ d one of old. And I met a future CEO as well. A superstar in the making, whatever route she chooses. A competitive edge and confidence under pressure that were inspiring.
Inspiring the future? Inspiration for us all.
Mark.
A psychology graduate, road cyclist and hands-on father of two, Mark Gardiner founded headhunting firm Charles Warwick to dispel all negative preconceptions about his profession, with transparency, service and value lying at the heart of both his business and his professional ethos. Connect with Mark Gardiner on LinkedIn and get involved in the lively HR, recruitment and business debates!