On Wednesday 4 October, Urban Synergy held a ‘Top Tips to the Top’ Role Model Seminars at Gordonbrock Primary School for pre-transitional students in year 6.
The inspirational seminar, which consisted of a panel session, followed by an open Q&A and speed mentoring was received enthusiastically by the young students.
The panelists, were Daniella Blechner, Director of Conscious Dreams Publishing, Olivia Jensen, Policy Advisor, 10 Downing Street, Rufai Ajala, Operations Business Analyst, J P Morgan Asset Management UK and Dawn Goring, Office Manager, Prime Minister’s Office, who shared with the students details of their career journeys and hobbies and details of how they overcame any challenges along the way.
Following the panel session was an open Q&A where students put further questions to the panel about their jobs and other areas of interest. Last but not al all least, students moved to tables to begin the exhilarating ‘speed mentoring’ session which gave the students the opportunity to meet each of the other role models present on rotation and gain valuable insights and take-aways to their wide variety of professions including Engineering, Commercial, Consultancy and Nursing.
The panel gave the following quotes/Top Tips to the students:
Daniella Blechner, Writer/Author Conscious Dreams Publishing:
“It is powerful when you are young, to think about what you want to do”
“Reading is so important, it helps you with your vocabulary, creativity and imagination”
“Whatever you do, believe in yourself, you are the captain of your own ship”
“Hard work, practise, practise, practise!”
“Surround yourself with people who will help you with what you are doing”
Olivia Jensen, Policy Advisor, Prime Minister’s Press Office
“Be an interesting person, be interested in other people and the world around you”
Rufai Ajai, Operations Business Analyst, JP Morgan Asset Management UK
“Everything takes hard work”
“Don’t be afraid to have more than one thing you want to do”
“Learn from our mistakes so you don’t have to make them yourself”
Dawn Goring, Office Manager, Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
“Organisation is key, teamwork is key, you are not an island, there are a lot of people around you”
“Work hard now now to get used to working hard”
“Prepare the night before, preparation is very important”
As the seminar came to a close two students took the mike and conveyed their appreciation to the 14 Role Models for giving their time by saying:
“Thank you for visiting our school you make us feel proud”
“It has widened my taste in jobs and all the possibilities I could be”
Participating Urban Synergy Role Model Karen Field from the company Keepmoat said:
“Many thanks, I was really impressed with the school and the students. Thank you for letting me participate“
What a wonderful morning the children had! They were raving about it when we got back to class. I asked how many of them were now thinking about the fact that they could do / be more than one thing in their life – every hand went up. I also asked how many had heard something that had inspired them / made them think differently, again, all hands went up!Karen Hamilton, Assistant Head
“Thank you to you, all at Urban Synergy and the wonderful mentors.“
