Future Careers
Dear Parents,
On Monday, I spent some time talking to Year 7/8 about the topic of their potential ‘careers’ in the future as part of the PSHE programme. It always seems a little early to discuss this topic but it is good for them to focus the mind as they get older. We discussed the difference between a job and a career; what their parents did; what was important to them in terms of values; what skills would be the most important in the future; and they even heard about my career journey. I did ask them to speak to their parents to learn about their experiences. How many they may have had so far? Did they always know what they wanted to do? Any regrets? I hope that you will find time to have that conversation.
We also discussed about ‘not burning their bridges’ too early, having choices and continuing to work hard in all their academic subject areas. I also made it clear that there are many careers out there and not all require a university degree! I reminded them that their senior schools would help and guide them in the coming years and not to worry.
I also shared with them a story about change and different perceptions of change:
A management consultant, on holiday in a African fishing village, watched a little fishing boat dock at the quayside. Noting the quality of the fish, the consultant asked the fisherman how long it had taken to catch them. "Not very long." answered the fisherman.
"Then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the consultant. The fisherman explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family. The consultant asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, have an afternoon's rest under a coconut tree. In the evenings, I go into the community hall to see my friends, play the drums, and sing a few songs..... I have a full and happy life." replied the fisherman.
The consultant ventured, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you...... You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat. With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have a large fleet. Instead of selling your fish to a middleman, you can negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to a city here or maybe even in the United Kingdom, from where you can direct your huge enterprise."
"How long would that take?" asked the fisherman.
"Oh, ten, maybe twenty years." replied the consultant.
"And after that?" asked the fisherman.
"After that? That's when it gets really interesting," answered the consultant, laughing, "When your business gets really big, you can start selling shares in your company and make millions!"
"Millions? Really? And after that?" pressed the fisherman.
"After that you'll be able to retire, move out to a small village by the sea, sleep in late every day, spend time with your family, go fishing, take afternoon naps under a coconut tree, and spend relaxing evenings having drinks with friends..."
" That's what I’m doing right now", said the fisherman and went his way.
An interesting assembly and one that will be explored further over the year.
Richard Brown
Headmaster
