A few weeks from now, the student committee of the Guild Musical Theatre Group, at the University of Birmingham (England), should be creating a newsletter with a difference.
This newsletter is for both the students and Alumni of this, my old student society. It will connect a group of very talented students, with a group of well connected Alumni. Needless to say, it is a chance to make a few people's careers and connect a great many more.
While there are plenty of drama colleges whose students need these connections, the role of student societies should not be underestimated. As I have said before, the Guild Musical Theatre Group is far more than just another society. In business terms, it would be a strategist's dream come true. Because, after 30 years in existence, its Alumni now occupy key positions in the performing arts industry. Its students have now build their operation to a very professional level. There is a brilliant potential here, for a great many opportunities to be made.
I realize that drama students should be first in line for this kind of opportunity, but I think that this project is a way, to encourage students of other disciplines, to come forward and engage with the performing arts. Besides which, the drama students of my university and others will benefit indirectly, from the exposure and connections, that this newsletter will create.
And there is an important reason why this particular project matters so much. The performing arts as a profession is often misunderstood by outsiders (while I am not an insider myself, I have been fortunate enough to gain a musical theatre qualification, and to work with artists.) I have heard it dismissed time and again, as something to do for a hobby: but not as a way to make a living. So there is not the respect that there would be for other professions. Again and again, young hopefuls are told that there 'aren't the opportunities' to pursue a career in the arts.
But how many future students have been discouraged this way? And how much talent has been wasted? I say that if young people have passion, and talent then it should be used: whether for sport, the arts, or indeed anything they want to pursue. This is surely the purpose of every university, college or school that has ever been founded.
One crucial factor in today's world, however, is that there need to be networks, in place to make this happen. As Linkedin founder, Reid Hoffman writes, it is about 'network building'. This is very true. If there is one thing I've learned for certain, from the world of business, it is that opportunities do not just happen: they are made. Name the company, the institution or the legacy, and in every case, it is there because one individual, or a group of people made a conscious decision, to start something up. Story after story tells of the same humble origins behind a great success. And this newsletter is an opportunity to start something up, that will lead to even bigger things, for a great many talented people.
All members and Alumni of the Guild Musical Theatre Group (or GMTG) are educated, successful and organised people, with a genuine passion for the performing arts. They are quite capable of building a very good network together, and the newsletter would be the perfect way to begin. And if this succeeds, it will be proof that you really can do what you love, for a career. What's more, I know that this could be an inspiration to a great many other students: not only to performing arts students, but students of other professions too.
This is an opportunity that has been waiting to happen. And with the right kind of planning, it will. The newsletter format is a very good way to connect students and Alumni of a profession. To all students who are reading this: I strongly recommend that you set up a newsletter between yourselves and Alumni of your chosen profession, if you haven't already done this.
So for the next few weeks I am really looking forward to the first edition of this newsletter. And I have a feeling that this will be the start of an important opportunity, for a great many people,
Let's Build Bridges
There are many bridges we can build
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
Sunday, 1 March 2015
Highlights from February 2015
Here are some of the highlights, from the Forum over February
2015:
The Guild Musical
Theatre Group, and Student Alumni Networking
After discussions with GMTG’s student committee, they have
agreed to create a newsletter, for both students and Alumni to use. This is the
first step in an important process.
The reason why I am using Guild Musical Theatre Group (GMTG)
as an example for student-Alumni networking, is because of its crucial
networking potential. People cannot see the big picture yet, but they will do,
as the students and Alumni begin to communicate.
Over the course of 30 years, graduates from the society have
moved into key areas of the performing arts industry. Likewise, as I have said
before, the students themselves have combined their raw talent and a lot of
skill, to build the society into a kind of training school for the stage. So I
am sure that, as business analysts would agree, if all of these people were
brought together now, they would be able to build a very successful arts
network.
Both the students and Alumni are all very talented and
indeed, some of the Alumni are themselves, directors of important arts
institutions. They are quite capable of organising a project of this scale. This
is especially important for the performing arts, as I am assured, that the
industry relies on the personal connections between its professionals. Creating
a network like this one, would offer new connections, and – most importantly –
would not only help students to find good careers: but would create new careers as well.
Having said that, I accept that it will take time. This
process will take at least several years, before the students and Alumni on
both sides, realise its full potential. The most important thing right now is
to make a start. The students and Alumni need to contact one another, and share
information. Besides the usual Facebook and other social media pages, a
newsletter is a very good way to do this. This was suggested by GMTG Committee’s
committee, and although I was sceptical at first, I now see that it has had a
lot of support from the Alumni side, and is definitely the way forward.
This project has a lot of relevance to students at other
universities, and colleges too. Ours can’t be the only well-established
society, with the potential to network its members and Alumni. And I am sure
that if successful, GMTG’s example will inspire other student societies to do the
same with their Alumni. Of course, the main schools of study themselves, should
be the first and most significant place, where the networking happens between
the students and Alumni.
Work Experience for
Students
As university careers officers have told me, work placements
are still mostly optional for their students. Some degrees include them, others
do not. Well I say that work placements and work experience for students in
their chosen industry – even for a few weeks – should no longer be simply an
option: but should form an integral part of their studies.
All students in the UK are now expected to pay a basic
tuition fee of around £9,000 a year. That means they are now paying customers.
And as I was taught in business, paying customers should expect the same level
of service: whether the business is a college or university. All students
should be entitled to work experience in their chosen industry. History
students should be able to work with museum curators and archaeologists;
psychology students with practising psychologists; sports science students with
the sports and medical professionals. The list goes on, but the logic is the
same.
Of course, the argument will be: why should full time professionals
take time out of their important work, to train the students, and what about
the costs involved? Well my counter argument is this: how much time and
resources must medical professionals take out of their jobs, to teach their
students? And yet, it has long been established, at my university and at
others, for students of medicine, to be given work experience in the health professions.
This must surely take a lot of time and money. But we do it all the same. So
why can’t students of all other professions, have the same opportunities?
Qualified Assessment
The UK’s National Citizens Service (NCS) is my latest point
of interest, in finding qualified assessment for non-graduates. NCS organisers
have told me, that part of their programme involves awarding young people a
certificate qualification for ‘Learning a New Skill’. I am wondering if this
could be modified, to award young people with several new skills. After all,
this kind of programme is aimed at 16-17 year olds, who are likely to be
non-graduates.
I have also messaged Apprenticeships UK about this: as their
schemes could perhaps be used to award certificates to some non-apprentices. There
might even be a way to combine both programmes, and award at least some basic
certificates to non-graduates.
I will wait to hear.
Job Creation/Business
Start Ups
The Gorilla database is still the clearest way forward, and
I will let Marcus set this up, on the relevant social media pages, to build
awareness, before any major changes are made. The basic idea, is to put both
the ideas and personal contacts for a new business, in one place; so if you or
anyone you know, has ideas for a new business, then you are welcome to follow
the links on the blog page, and send your ideas to the contact email. These
will then be listed on +Google pages for the project.
Summary
These have been the main points on the Let's Build Bridges Forum for the month of February,
and I will wait for the various people’s responses this month in March.
Sunday, 25 January 2015
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:
I have divided our Forum into 3 main areas:
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:
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:
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:
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.
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:
I have divided our Forum into 3 main areas:
- Student-Alumni networking
- Qualified Assessment of non-graduates
- Business start ups
- Knowledge transfer
- Assessment of ability and skill
- Job creation
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:
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:
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:
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.
Sunday, 11 January 2015
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.
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
James M
Alumnus
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
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.
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.
Friday, 5 December 2014
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.
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.
Friday, 28 November 2014
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:
I invite you to make it happen.
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.
I invite you to make it happen.
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