Recently I was invited to speak to a group of school kids. Their age was mid to late teens.
As I was invited based on my profession and experiences, I chose the subject of "career paths and choices" to spend my hour with them.
I really got into preparing. I asked myself lots of questions.
What was it I wanted to leave them with?
What did I want to trigger in them?
What did I want them to think differently about, as a consequence to listening to me?
Did I want them to be involved in the conversation?
Did I want to give them tools, handouts, for them to refer back to?
Did I want to be cool or professional? Funny or serious?
I decided on my approach and and planned that I would teach them the following:
How to prepare for an interview
What possibilities are there for jobs
Why is travel important for our horizons
What experiences teach us
I met with the teacher (for really yummy sushi) a week before the big day, to align on the topics, the approach, the students and to ensure I was ready and had his support.
I was nervous, this was not my comfort zone, but I was excited, as I really like the idea of influencing young minds and offering them different perspectives.
The day came and it went well, the students got stuck in, really offered insights, thinking, challenges, they asked me unusual questions, some even stumping me. It was fantastic.
I asked the teacher a few weeks later to follow up with the class and ask me what they remembered and what they took away.
I was thrilled to hear that many of them thought differently as a result of the discussion. Some had decided to find Summer jobs and experience new things before going into the family business. Others had decided to travel and others just enjoyed the perspectives, before they make bigger decisions. (Hope their parents don't come looking for me!!!!!)
Most of all, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed sharing my thoughts and passions with these young and impressionable teens.
As a result, I think I realised how much I would like to do more of this kind of thing. I came out with a ton of energy and many ideas on how I could do things differently. I came out with a kind of purpose and satisfaction. Wonderful!!
Do you know what gives you satisfaction and meaning?
If you have worked this out, are you able to find ways to do this in your every day life?
I cannot tell you how much I wish that someone like you had come to give me that type of talk when I was in my teens. I'm sure you were fabulous and I'm quite sure many were inspired by your words. Well done!
ReplyDeleteArrr that's lovely. Thanks FF. it's interesting that you say that, as I gave the talk I would liked to receive at that age.
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