Pre and early teens get Own ideas on career choices

With today’s primary and secondary school students likely to have three, four or even five different careers during their lifetime, it is never too early to start learning about the various professions and occupation choices open to them. So says Own Academy, which aims to kindle students' curiosity about the future and encourage them to start honing the relevant skills needed to succeed in life.

The recent Own Future Fair, organised by Own Academy with media partner South China Morning Post's Education Post, is a good example of how students are given opportunities to discover what it takes to prepare for a future career, says founder Natalie Chan. She explains that a key aim of the Own Future Fair concept is not just to provide pre-teens and young teenagers with career insights, but also to enable them to explore career paths that fit their character and personality.

"We wanted to offer an event where pre-teen and young teenagers could be inspired, but also able to gain a realistic view of what different professions entail,’’ says Chan. She adds that careers in many professions are often glamorised while the less attractive aspects are not often talked about.

Students in the 8-14-year-old age range and their parents attending the Own Future Fair, could listen to first-hand accounts from 30 young entrepreneurs and professionals from the worlds of finance, medicine, hospitality, the arts, sport, design education, and business start-ups; there was even an explorer. The event also featured ‘’parents’’ sessions which focused on the mindfulness of parenting, raising critical  thinkers, dealing with the fear of failure and the importance of play.

Parents and students from more than 40 local and international schools attended the free-of-charge, all-day event, the first staged by Own Academy and Education Post.

Chan is quick to point out that Own Future Fair events are not intended to compete with school career guidance counselling, but instead offer an additional chance for young people to learn about the future opportunities open to them and what it takes to achieve them.

For example, brand marketing expert, producer, TV chef and host Christian Yang, revealed to his young audience how he started his career with a major five-star hotel, attended international culinary schools, and opened and closed restaurants, before finally discovering his niche. He also explained how the tough and demanding hospitality industry is only a career choice for those who are totally committed. ‘’You are always saying yes to everyone, never no,’’ Yang explains.