Well today was all about Speakrs4schools. For those are not aware, it is an organisation set up by Robert Peston to help kids in state schools be inspired by people coming into their schools and talking about their journey and advice on how to approach the daunting prospect of a) having the ambition to go for their dreams and b) getting into work.
The organisation has had speakers talk in front of 500K students and they want more! Robert Peston was pretty clear – ‘I don’t want to go to Eton or Harrow, why do they need my help, it is State schools that have to help kids broaden their horizons’ that was where it started. He was regularly asked to speak in high end schools but noticed a lack of request from state. Years later he has a 1000 speakers on the books and big backing.
Let me talk about my personal experience, I have probably done around 6 talks so far, and each one is a joy. Watching often shy students slowly get up the courage to ask questions, begin to see signs of some reacting to talks. I have already had students email me to say they have started a blog or got a job etc – it’s so exciting. I hope I have encouraged a few to join LinkedIn and Twitter over the years and start to network. It’s the best part of my career. Give back – it feels good.
Speakrs4schools is now moving into the work experience space with S4Snextgen. Robert Peston hammered home the point that these kids don’t have the networks, they don’t have the privilege that many Interns have, ‘most Interns are populated by nepotism’ so true!! How many sons and daughters of senior staff people have got their kids in work experience? Many many…This is a great next step for companies in our industry to look into and try to support, I know I will be.
Today saw me travel from Campion School in Northants to No10 in one day and it was an inspiring day! Already some students have LinkedIn! I know a lot of senior people out there in lots of different companies – I encourage you to look into this amazing organisation.
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