We had an amazing time last week with teams from Moody’s and Morgan Stanley as we helped coach 30 of the high school students in our Families programme on their future career choices. Using the Gradesmatch platform students explored various careers, and learned how their academic performance affects their ability to access those careers. We discussed their interests, and listened to graduates speak about the need for perseverance, and for choosing good friends!
Thanks to Northwest Christian school
Northwest Christian School generously hosted us, allowing our team access to their computer lab, robotics room, and courtyard. We so appreciate their unfailing support! Having tried to host this event at our own offices a few years ago we can tell you that it definitely makes a difference having a room full of functional computers!
The volunteers from Moody’s and Morgan Stanley not only spent time helping the kids navigate technical issues, but they also shared about their own life experience. We started the day helping all of the learners set up an email address if they didn’t already have one. The kids then went through a questionnaire that gave them direction for which type of career field they would like to enter. It was so neat to see how different all of the students are, ranging from helping careers like social work, to practical engineering or mechanical careers, to one boy who dreams of becoming a research physicist (and has the marks to make it!).
They then entered their current marks into the Gradesmatch programme and began to understand what they actually could do with what they have. Some were disappointed to see that their marks won’t grant them access to university, so we talked about other options, including TVET colleges, learnerships and on-the-job training. Others were really excited to see that their marks will grant them admission for a bachelors degree, so those kids received insight into how to choose between different university programmes, and how to understand the NSFAS application process.
The volunteers also spent time telling the students about their own career journeys. It was fun to have some volunteers who are already doing their dream job, and some who didn’t even know their current job existed when they were in school. There was a lot of knowledge shared, and the kids gained inspiration about taking opportunities when they present themselves.
Each day ended with one of our AFFT graduates sharing their story so that the kids could learn from the experience of someone else who has grown up within our programme. That was particularly meaningful and lots of questions were asked. When asked what they learned from the day many kids shared that they now understood that there are a lot more careers out there than they had imagined, and those whose marks aren’t good had a renewed hope about being able to find work one day.
