CAREERS NEWSLETTER 2018-19
This time last year, I attended WHAT CAREER LIVE on a day when snow had hit the region and fewer than 100 people made the NEC for this excellent Careers show. I had the chance to talk to every employer and university at leisure and update my knowledge. Today I am attending again and will be looking forward to seeing former pupil James Tumber on the IBM stand. I will return with much new information, so drop by the Careers Centre soon!
THIS WEEKEND!
ISSUE 10 – Friday 1 March 2019
GEESE IS THE WORD! Religion, Philosophy and Ethics teacher Miss Kate Blackie, inspired by the recent BBC ‘Dynasties’ documentaries, led an excellent full school assembly this week, on 5 LIFE LESSONS we can learn from geese! She kindly let us feature these as our lead article, as there is so much students can learn about successful teamwork/ ideal employability skills from her words:
1 Geese fly together in a V formation on long journeys - this creates additional lift, while reducing air pressure for those behind, and increases flight distance by 70%. They have realised that working harmoniously together to achieve a common goal is beneficial for the group and individuals. If each person’s contributions, energy and motivation are all directed to the same end goal, we can achieve that goal far more quickly, which benefits everyone.
2 Geese rotate their leadership - the goose at the front of the V expends the most energy and therefore tires
A final reminder that we highly recommend students from the 4ths and above attend day 2 of WHAT CAREER LIVE at the NEC, where they will discover excellent information about university courses and employment/ apprenticeship options at 16, 18 and beyond. There are also a good number of excellent workshops to attend.
quickly, so several times on a long journey, the front goose will fall back for a new goose to take its place. Interestingly, their journey often begins with a more elderly member of the gaggle who has more experience navigating, but will also have less energy at the end of the journey and they’ll end the journey with younger geese who have more fuel in the tank. Being ready to be a leader and equally to be led are vital parts of being a good team member. It is important to play to the strengths of the team, not being afraid to take a step back when someone else’s skillsets are best placed to lead the group and equally stepping up to the role of leader when it is required.
3 Geese spend a great deal of time (and energy) honking at each other on their long journey – clearly, communication is important to achieve the group’s end goal. Articulating your own thoughts, listening to others and motivating members of the group are all vital for a successful cohesive group and society.
4 Occasionally a goose will break from the formation and attempt flying alone - this is usually a first migratory flight. This goose quickly realises its mistake, recognising how much harder it is to fly alone and rejoins the group. The other geese consistently allow the estranged goose back into the formation to play exactly the same role it did before. Similarly, we should have the humility to admit our mistakes and redress them. It is also important that when we know someone else has made a mistake and is taking steps to amend it, we allow them to do so, forgive where necessary and embrace them back into the group.
5 Geese go out of their way to help and support other geese - If one goose becomes ill or injured, a stronger goose will fall back to the end of the V to support the weakened one. If the goose is unable to continue flying, the stronger one will actually stay with them until they are able to fly again. This is a wonderful demonstration of the importance of supporting each other. If someone is struggling, if they’re tired, if they’re lacking in confidence, if they’re in need of help in any way, it is so important we recognise this and make steps to support them as best we can. This lesson may apply to you at school, looking after your peers as you go through taxing aspects of school life. I hope you will follow this message in our wider society, locally, nationally and even internationally. Whether it be people you know going through difficult times personally, people in our own city without a home, those struggling with mental health, armed forces personnel struggling mentally or physically to reintegrate into society, people in other countries with insufficient access to food, water or education and people being denied their human rights, there are so many members of our global team that sometimes need extra support. It is so important we ensure that we are ready to lend that extra support to someone, be it our time, a charitable donation or a point in the direction of someone that can help or even offer just a warm gesture. By doing so, we will vastly improve the success of our entire global team.
NB See p3 for info on an excellent COVENTRY BUILDING SOCIETY opportunity next week.
@BablakeCareers