9:31am Thursday 2nd July 2009
By Richard Garfield
LOCAL business people received a grilling from students eager to learn about the world of work at an energetic speed networking event.
The event – the first of its kind bringing together students and business professionals -– was organised by Young Chamber at Cranbourne Business and Enterprise College, through the North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NHCCI).
About 20 business people from companies as diverse as international service company Serco, to electronics giant Sony and law firm Lamb Brooks Solicitors, gave up half a day to answer questions from pairs of Year 7 students in three-minute sessions.
The student’s busy morning got off to an enthusiastic start as Liz Jackson, the managing director of business-to- business telemarketing company Great Guns Marketing, headquartered at Basing View, told how despite leaving school with just a GCSE in Drama, she managed to start a thriving company which now has an annual turnover of £3million and employs 130 people.
Liz said: “Although I didn’t like school very much, when I got a job I loved it.
The world of work is really good fun, and I have to tell you the job that I do is even more fun than most.”
Admitting that she loves talking, she asked her young audience: “Who talks too much in their lessons? Who likes showing off?
“Well, you’ll love sales. Sales is all about persuading people to come round to your idea of thinking and it’s about doing that all day, every day, but for money!”
Year 9 student Tom Rampton, who is president of the Young Chamber Council, and his team ensured the event ran smoothly, with about 120 students being split into three groups, taking it in turns to participate in the speed networking, as well as taking part in a team building management game called, Pigs Might Fly, and taking part in a marketing and communications workshop.
During the event, 14-year-old Tom said: “Hopefully, a lot of the students would have realised how fun work can actually be, because I know a lot of them, although they are only in Year 7, think ‘oh gosh, it’s getting closer and closer.’ Some of them might even realise what they want to do for a career.”
Julie Latcham, from Lamb Brooks Solicitors, said: “I was very impressed with how much the pupils already knew about the business world, and some of the questions were very thought- provoking.
“It was encouraging to hear so many of them discussing their plans for the future. I’m not sure I knew where I wanted to work when I was that age!
“I hope they all found it valuable and that it will encourage them to ask more questions about the opportunities available to them when they leave school.”
Gail Johnson, head of social responsibility for Serco Group, headquartered at Bartley Wood Business Park, in Hook, said she found the speed networking event inspiring, especially as the idea originated from the students themselves.
“It’s been a great opportunity and there has been a lot of energy here,” she said.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk