Update for January 2015, Opportunities and More

Hi All

Welcome to January's update for the Let's Build Bridges Forum, 2015. For the benefit of new members, I would like to sum up what our Forum is about, and what we will be doing this year to make it happen.

The aim of this Forum is to create jobs and career opportunities for young people and for adults. That is our purpose. Our objectives may change, to find effective ways of doing this, and to move with people's changing needs, but the overall aim of Let's Build Bridges will stay the same.

The Forum's group pages are:

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Lets-Build-Bridges-5133737?trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/419487984829959/

Blog:  http://letsbuildbridges.blogspot.co.uk/

I have divided our Forum into 3 main areas:

• Student-Alumni networking
• Qualified Assessment of non-graduates
• Business start ups

Each of these areas, deals with a core element of opportunity, namely:

• Knowledge transfer
• Assessment of ability and skill
• Job creation

They address people's most basic needs for jobs and careers, that will help us to beat the Recession, and repair some of the damage it has done. By discussing these topics we will ensure that we explore thoroughly, all possible ways to create new opportunities for young people and for adults. In this respect, I am inspired by the work of Cancer research campaigners, and I believe that we should fight for jobs and careers just as passionately. While people's lives matter the most, their future is important too.

There are three specific examples, I would like us to focus on for this year. I have listed them in reverse order, as follows:

The Gorilla Opportunity Database for Start-Ups

Skills and qualifications are all very well, but people need jobs. While our Government will of course, be promoting job creation schemes; the single most effective way to create jobs from scratch, is through business start-ups. Two thirds of jobs may be found in the smaller businesses, so more should be created to provide them: especially in light of recent redundancies.

I believe that the solution to this, is to give entrepreneurs direct access to both the people to work with: and the new products and services to provide. This, as business people have told me, is the driving force behind any new start up.

Therefore, Marcus Claytor has very kindly designed a new kind of database, called Gorilla Opportunity; where people can upload both their concepts for new products and services: and their contact details, to work with one another:

https://plus.google.com/108660978572646258999/posts

gorilla.opportunity@gmail.com

As this database develops, I believe that it will be the foundation for a new kind of business app. If we can demonstrate how innovations and business contacts can be put together, then a new app can be developed to do this officially. Either we may develop this ourselves, through Google; or another company may do the same on their initiative.

The result, in either case, will be that entrepreneurs have access to an app that gives them a complete Toolkit to start a business with. There are as many entrepreneurs in society now, as before the Recession. They expect challenges, and do not need the motivation or the willpower to start new businesses: but I believe that what they do need, are resources like this one, to help them make it happen.

Here's the article:

http://letsbuildbridges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/a-toolkit-for-entrepreneurs.html

Marcus Claytor has done an excellent job designing the database so far, and he will take charge of the project for the business start-ups side of the Forum. The page for this on LinkedIn is:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=7495433&trk=my_groups-tile-grp

Qualified Assessment

Non-graduates are in clear need of support for their careers. As an learning instructor told me, the challenge that young people face, is that non-graduates have the experience, but not the grades: and students vice versa. The price of higher education in the UK and elsewhere, is now a serious burden on young people's futures. For example, as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's research has shown, there are a great many young people in low paid jobs, with poor career prospects.

I believe therefore, that anyone aged 16-24, who is not in full time education or training, should have an automatic right to qualified assessment. If these young people were offered the same assessment and qualification as apprentices, I believe that they would have the chance to show their potential and prove their worth. The same goes for young job-seekers, and vulnerable young groups of young people, served by social services.

Here's how this could be done:

http://letsbuildbridges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/a-new-way-to-assess-non-graduates-neets.html

Vitor Costa and others, have kindly given support to this cause. With their help, we will find ways to introduce qualified assessment to non-graduates.


Student-Alumni Networking and The Guild Musical Theatre Group

Student-Alumni networking is a key part of the knowledge transfer between the academic and business sectors for every industry: and is also crucial for student's careers. Students are now paying customers to their universities: being asked to pay on average £9,000 a year for tuition in the UK. So we need to make every cent count.

That is why I say that every school of study at each college or university, should have its own student-Alumni network, so that students and Alumni can work as a team, sharing connections, and innovations.

Students of every discipline should have the right to work as interns and gain real experience in the industry they are studying for. Here's how:

 http://letsbuildbridges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/student-internships-for-all.html

For the student-Alumni networking part of the Forum, I would like to use the specific example of the Guild Musical Theatre Group. This is an old student society of mine that I believe has huge potential to be something more.

It began about 30 years ago as a musical theatre society, but its members and Alumni have now built it up to such a level, that I think they could actually get together and form a professional arts network. Here's how:

http://letsbuildbridges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/a-case-study-for-student-alumni.html

So much of the performing arts industry relies on the personal connections between the artists, and others; that I think this would make a real difference to these people's careers.

What's more, if we prove that this kind of networking is a success, then other student societies could do the same. I am willing to bet that there are other societies like ours, that have existed for many years. Their students and Alumni could actually do a lot to form links and guarantee careers.

While the focus should still be on the main student-Alumni networks at colleges and universities, I think it is also important to tap into groups like this one, to offer students a possible Plan B, for their careers.


Conclusion

So I would like to welcome you all to our Forum's projects for 2015, and look forward to what we will achieve.


Best Regards

James M

Founder

And a belated Happy New Year to you all.

My Suggestions for GMTG's Networking Proposal

For the Guild Musical Theatre Group's Committee, here are my suggestions as to how students and Alumni members of the society could network:

•One social media page could be set aside for business purposes only. Other social media like Facebook and Twitter can still be used for social chat and events, but a new Linkedin or similar page must be available, exclusively for business purposes. (There are plenty of social media pages that might do as well, like Pinterest, Tumblr or Instagram; but LinkedIn is probably best, because it was designed specially, for business networking.)

•The page could be a team effort, run jointly by both the GMTG Committee, and the Alumni Admins. Any change to the page has to have the agreement of both. 

•The page could be run and organised like a GMTG showcase or similar event. It could be co-ordinated by an Alumni officer, appointed full time to do this, and to plan and organise events etc.

•As a rule, anyone who graduates from GMTG to work in the performing arts industry could be put on this page as a contact. Members who are serious about a career in the performing arts can also put themselves onto it. 

• Because fellow Alumni and current members may not have time to check an extra social media page; this page could be linked directly to other pages, so that all messages and updates come to users via their Facebook, Instagram etc.

•The page could be a members only club: open to members and Alumni of GMTG, with the exceptions of music and drama students and teachers from our University. Once it gains momentum, the owners may consider opening it for wider use by performing artists in general, but it's important to be specific, if and when the page is set up.

• A 'Service for Service' rule could be made, so that anyone who contacts a user of the page for a favour, must be willing to offer them something in return. Alumni like myself are happy to help, but we do need a clear reason to take time away from our work to do so. For example, a current member who contacts an Alumnus in the business, for connections, must then be prepared to find volunteers and ideas he or she wants in return.

These measures will ensure that  if successful, it becomes a formal agreement between both sides, and that while members and Alumni may change jobs or career paths, their successors will be able to keep the process going.

I realise that I have been very persistent about this idea, but that is because I know that Guild Musical Theatre Group has a major networking opportunity before them. Business analysts from my profession would seize this opportunity immediately, for its potential. And also, I see the passion and determination in younger people, for a career in the arts. When I was in their shoes, I wished more Alumni like me would have helped.

Opportunities like this can only exist because people like ourselves choose to make them happen. While there will be challenges, I say to you the Committee, and the society; that if we all put the same amount of focus and determination into building this network, as we would a showcase; then we will succeed. The steady stream of new students and new Alumni will guarantee a lot of knowledge transfer both ways, and if this is focused correctly, will ensure many career opportunities for many people.

Good luck.


James M

Alumnus

 

 

 

 

A Case Study for Student-Alumni Netwoking: the Guild Musical Theatre Group

As a member of this Forum told me recently, a good theory is all very well, but we need an example to show that it can work. So here is one such example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2UG13_xyR4&list=UU9026NfiQsgHiYhb77QRDdQ

And here is why I think it can work:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQDtSioYr1w

The Guild Musical Theatre Group (or 'GMTG' as it is known), is a former student society of mine, at the University of Birmingham (England). For nearly 30 years, students from every department and school of study come together, to put on musical theatre productions, for the enjoyment of the student population, among many others. In face there are quite a few student societies like this, at colleges and universities around the world, where students can pursue their passion. What makes this one special, is that over the course of these years, it has become much more.

The society's Alumni have gone one to do great things. Everything from starring roles in the Book of Mormon, at London's West End; to the world famous train proposal by the Adam Street Singers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mWXrHi1Rks  many of whom were Guild Musical Theatre Group's Alumni. Meanwhile, the students themselves have built the society up to a very professional level, extending their operations to include classes, and community projects. While many students do it for fun, some have a burning desire to work in the performing arts industry. And so this is, in effect, a training school for the stage, in all but name.

So what would happen if all 28 of so generations of Alumni and students were brought together? They would be able to build themselves a powerful arts network. The performing arts as an industry relies so much on personal connections: and so this network would have both the academic insight and the business connections, to guarantee some very good career opportunities for students and for Alumni who took part in it. For so long, students have jumped at the chance for a career in the arts: and here is a prime opportunity to create one. I had hoped that a 30 years' reunion would be the catalyst for this, but sadly the event did not take place. However, there are other ways for the students and Alumni, to make connections.

I have encouraged the student committee to contact the Alumni they know, and set up events etc, to make connections. The challenge that both sides will face is an obvious question: 'what's in it for me'? As a fellow Alumnus told me about mentoring and coaching the students, "I want to help" he said, "but I have a family to feed and a business to run. What reason would I have to take time away from my family and business, to do this?" The students, likewise, have many exam commitments, and may not be able to spend their whole time networking.

So here's what's in it for both students and Alumni: current members of GMTG who are serious about a career in the performing arts, may have the drive and the passion to succeed; but what they will need are the connections within the industry to make that happen. The Alumni in turn, who now work in the performing arts industry, are pretty tenacious artists, and have a can do attitude to their work. But like all of us Alumni, they will still need new ideas and innovations for their businesses, from people who can think outside the box: the kind of ideas from new projects that the students are working on.

So what could happen, is a two way information sharing process, to help both sides. Alumni who need new ideas for their businesses can attend an online Q & A session, as the current committee have suggested so far. The students could throw ideas at them, from their own learning experience - let's face it, no two generations of  students are the same. After all, every year brings a new generation of students; and another generation graduates to join the Alumni. So there are always new perspectives on an issue that the students can offer. The Alumni in turn can then answer the students' questions about how best to get into the arts industry, and who best to approach as their connections.

This process would help both students and Alumni, and I hope that it can be made a permanent part of the society's operations. Granted that the ultimate decisions on student Alumni networking will reside with GMTG's Committee: and I respect that some members are simply part of GMTG for fun, and to broaden their learning experience. But for the sake of members who are serious about a performing arts career, I strongly recommend that you consider taking this opportunity, because it will reap some serious rewards. And here's the thing: these principles could apply to any student society or Alumni network.

For example, within a science club, students with a passion for science could exchange information with Alumni who are practising scientists. Even if they weren't science students themselves, the club's member's interest would ensure many new ideas and insights that could help the Alumni. The Alumni in turn could give good advice to any students who were considering changing their career path to science. The same knowledge transfer arrangement, could be set up between engineering, medical, or sports students and Alumni, to name a few examples.

So I would like to propose that the Guild Musical Theatre Group be considered as an example of student-Alumni networking; and I look forward to the efforts of students and Alumni, over the next few months, to make new connections and share knowledge.

Student Internships for All?

After a recent conversation with one university's student ambassador, I was surprised and disappointed to learn, that student internships aren't available to students from all schools of study. As the ambassador told me, some students have come simply to broaden their horizons: they are not necessarily going into the profession they are studying for. Therefore, the focus is normally on the business students, who are presumed to be motivated to go into their professions: at least for this university. But I say that the students who are clearly set on going into a profession should all be given the chance to gain work experience as interns.





It may be true that students do change their choice of study, and yes, I do remember that at University, we weren't always sure what we wanted to do after graduation. This is still certainly true for students today. For example, I was told that psychology students aren't necessarily wanting to become full time psychologists when they graduate: they are trying to broaden their learning experience. And yes, some science and mathematics students I have known, are now working in financial roles; because their knowledge of numbers is transferrable.





But there are students in each school of study who do have a genuine passion for their chosen subject. After all, higher education is quite and investment: and this is a clear incentive for a graduate to put his or her knowledge to use. Internships should certainly be used when a college or university is geared to one profession. A film academy, for example, has students who are clearly serious about working in that industry: and students should be given every opportunity to works as runners, grips etc, to learn the craft firsthand.



Also, the theory of studying for a profession can be very different from working there in practise. So if a student is not sure, then what better way to know, than to be exposed to the real thing for a few weeks? Besides which, to academic professionals who are reading this article: I put it to you that even the most motivated of business students can still change their minds, and hence, their career paths, after graduation. I've known a few who have. No one is entirely sure what profession we may end up in, and many of us have held down several different roles, from different industries. But when a young person's family invest in full time education at a college or university, to study for a chosen profession; then a student should always be given the chance to gain actual experience in that profession.





Even if someone is not seriously considering the profession that he or she is studying for; their work as an intern could still transfer vital knowledge into that industry; while the student in turn gains transferrable skills from the mentoring and coaching of industry professionals. Using psychology as an example; students of psychology could still bring some useful insights, based on their own learning experience. The psychologists in turn, may be able to show the students their work firsthand: so that some student interns may actually decide that is what they want to do, after graduation.




I remember at the Law Faculty, that internships were encouraged, in the form of pupillages and similar arrangements, usually at the end of our Sophomore Year. While internships are certainly encouraged now, by all university careers officers, I would go one further; and say that a student's internship should form an integral part of his or her final year of study. After all, medical and dental students have work experience as part of their degrees: so why shouldn't their fellow students of other Schools have the same?





An industry is an industry. Each profession needs input from the next generation of future professionals. The students of each subject in turn, need the mentoring and coaching, to prepare for that industry. So it is logical and fair, that students of every school of study should always be given the option to work as interns in their chosen industry. The knowledge transfer to both the students and mentors is invaluable: as existing mentoring schemes have shown. We need to make sure that this happens within all industries, to ensure opportunities for students of all professions. And for the many non-graduates who deserve the chance in to work in their chosen industry: I strongly support qualified assessment, leading to full blown apprenticeships, as their way into the profession of their choice.

The State of Things

In recent news, there have been rumblings within the economies in mainland Europe. This goes to show, that the Government's cheerful message that we are 'coming out' of the Recession just isn't true. The empty shops; the number of homeless people on our streets; food banks; and the sheer number of applicants for jobs in all of our cities, should have been obvious clues to this. So rather than wait for disaster to strike again, I suggest that we take action.

In the film Margin Call, which captures the events around the beginning of the Recession, the fictional company's CEO (played by Jeremy Irons), recounts the previous economic downturns in the last few centuries. "What can we do?" he concludes dismissively.

What we can do, is to take a few common-sense measures to help our economies:

• Student-Alumni networking should be brought up to full capacity. Colleges and universities are information powerhouses, with students and teachers from around the world. This knowledge should be put to good use through knowledge transfer between students and Alumni. If every student worked as an intern in his/her chosen industry, then this would allow these students to put their knowledge into local businesses, and hence, into their local economies. The Alumni in turn would be able coach and mentor the students, in readiness for their careers. This would be a win-win scenario for both sides.
• Qualified Assessment should be used to assess the skills of Non-Graduates. The apprenticeships system has been a proven success for all professions: and this same system can be used to assess and qualify all 16-24 year olds who are not in education or training. This would ensure that their grades reflect their skills, so that talented non-graduates are still able to build careers: and non-graduates of even average ability get a chance to develop their skills.
• Business start-ups should be enabled as much as possible, to create new jobs. Crowd funding has given a huge boost to investment for small businesses. What we need now are the mechanisms to get the right people and ideas together to set businesses up. I believe that a new Toolkit for start-ups will be a good way to achieve this.

If this were done in all countries whose economies are struggling, then I believe it would go a long way to strengthening them, so that when the next financial Tsunami hits us, we stay standing.

I invite you to make it happen.

Global Enrepreneurship Week

To add to the momentum of Global Entrepreneurship Week, this week, I invite all entrepreneurs to take a look at this; here's a special new resource for you: http://letsbuildbridges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/a-toolkit-for-entrepreneurs.html

What's In it for Me?

Someone has just raised an interesting point. The question everyone is asking is: the start-ups database is a good idea, but what's in it for me? A good point, and I'd like to answer it. In fact, that question could be asked for student-Alumni networking, non-graduate assessment.  And the same answer applies. On the surface, this may appear to be just another endeavour among hundreds, if not thousands of attempts to create new jobs and opportunities - so why go with this one? And my response is; because it addresses a very basic need: people's aspirations for jobs and careers.

Jobs and opportunities are the raw materials of our economy. The Government and the employment agencies are very good at processing them. (The number of adverts encouraging business start ups, and giving start up advice at the job centres, are proof of this.) But what they don't tell you, is that they need entrepreneurs and volunteers like yourselves to create jobs and opportunities in the first place.

Let me give you a few examples. As one member of this Forum has told me, he feels that the over-55's are one group of people, who are marginalised and undervalued. It is true that many of the unemployed professionals I have met, have had worked for decades in their industries, and have a very high amount of skill; but who have, in effect, been written off, because they have passed a certain age. The 79% increase since 2008 alone, in lawsuits for age-related discrimination, shows that ageism is a real problem.

So I say to anyone over 55: here is a way for you to be valued. If I were starting a new business, I would want someone who actually knew the industry I was planning to get into, to advise me. In fact, I would want someone with a lot of experience, who knew the industry inside out. (And I for one, certainly want to be listened to when I turn 55!) This is definitely an area where being of an older age is an asset. People who have worked in an industry for decades don’t need to be patronised, by being put through the usual job programmes and courses: they should be empowered to come together and use their experience to start something new. That is why I believe that professionals over 55’s would make very good advisors for business start-ups, and can also play a big part in setting them up.

The same goes for non-graduates. There are plenty of young people aged 16-24 who went straight into work, and may not have as many qualifications as others. But they actually have a lot of skill, from experience, and have talent that has not yet been discovered. While we don’t always get the break we want in life, I’ve known many non-graduates, who have earned their place in good organisations. One school leaver who I knew, worked her way up to manage a chain of stores. What non-graduates do need thought, is the chance to prove themselves. An entry level job in a start-up or small business could be the perfect place to take the first step. Non-graduates could lend their skills to help set up a new business; and in the process, gain new connections, insight, and earn major points for their resume.

On the innovations side; from working on projects, I know for a fact, that there are always ideas that people have, that they can’t put into action, and have to be shelved. Granted, some were made into business ventures that didn’t work, but there are plenty more ideas that were never tested at all. Colleges and universities are definitely the place to find these innovations. The amount of new ideas I have heard students come out with, is amazing. And their universities and colleges themselves have many side ventures, from their partnerships with key business organisations.

To the students-Alumni and careers officers of the colleges and universities: I invite you to use these innovations, and upload your concepts onto this database, for budding entrepreneurs to make into products and services. If your innovation has not yet been utilised, then perhaps a new entrepreneur can find a way to bring it to life.

And there are many others in the workplace who feel stuck in dead end jobs, with no real development or career. I’ve seen them in many different organisations, over many years. It’s always the same old story. These people want to do so much more. They have ideas for things, and some even have pet projects or special interests that they are trying to nurture on the side. But for one reason or another, their role either does not allow them to what they really want to, and there aren’t the opportunities to move on to. So they get frustrated, or bitter, and eventually leave or are thrown out in unhappy circumstances. It didn’t have to be this way.

Some people have great innovations. Others have skills and labour to lend. Still others, have years of experience, and good connections. If all of you come together right now, then you have the makings of a business. So to all these people, and more, I say to you: you do not have to sit there in frustration, or wonder what might have been. Young people  who are reading this article: you should not have to struggle to get a decent job or career. This is your future and you are our future. To fellow adults: I say that as those of us over 30 know only too well, that there is nothing worse than looking back on your life, and regretting what might have been. Believe me, you don't want to do that. So to young people and adults alike, I say to you: if you feel undervalued, held down, or have a burning idea/skill for making something new, then come and be a part of this. Help start something where you get to be valued and develop.

You are welcome to list your ideas, or contact details for concepts, contacts or skills you would like to lend, onto the following pages:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BxBc5hecrgEfTFJDQm11STM3TVE#list

 

Kind Regards

 

James M