In Grade 10, it can be hard to imagine what your life might look like five, ten or fifteen years down the road. But career education is not about cementing the future now, it’s about giving students the skills for success whatever twists and turns they face on the journey ahead.
To highlight the varied and unique journeys that everyone goes through when developing their career, the University Counsellors and Career Education Teachers Ms. Lee and Ms. Leyson invited SJS parents Adele Chan and Brian Low to share their perspective and professional journeys with our Grade 10s.
Meet Our Panelists
Brian Low is the Principal-in-Charge of Panther Group, which owns and operates several design and construction businesses specializing in construction management, contracting, project management, design and building.
Adele Chan is a Strategic Brand Advisor and founder of Blank Communications where she works with global clients in the design, hospitality, lifestyle, beauty, health and wellness industries to guide them through brand building, marketing position and long-term growth strategies.
No two career journeys are the same, and that is true for our panelists. Adele explained how at university she realized what she wasn’t good at and that led her to finding her strength in communications, which was the starting point for the career she has today.
Brian was hired while at university and started in theatre production, which transformed into concert management and design, which evolved into construction. These steps weren’t planned, but each provided growth and international opportunities that paved the way for owning his own business in the future.
Looking Back for Future Success
The panel discussed their experience in high school, what skills and courses helped them and what they wished they had paid more attention to.
Brian shared a story about a Grade 11 teacher who made the students regularly practice “on-the-spot” mental math, a talent that has proved to be an impressive tool throughout his career and has helped him more than once in negotiations.
They also shared a typical day in the life of their career. And it quickly became clear that no two days are the same! Adele explained the heavy travel requirement of her job and how it provided both opportunity and strategic time management. Back in Grade 10, she never would have imagined she would be waking up at 4:00 AM daily for work, but she also never expected to be hired by such organizations like the Italian government.
Remember This, if Nothing Else
The presenters also shared what advice they would give a student wanting to be in their shoes one day. Both agreed on the same key pieces of advice, which were recurring throughout the discussion:
- Listening to understand, not to win, is the best thing you can do to learn, grow and get ahead. Even if it’s someone you disagree with,learning to close your mouth and listen will serve you better than any other skill.
- Be prepared to be unprepared, especially as an entrepreneur. No amount of school will truly teach you how to own a business.
- Managing people’s expectations is a huge part of leadership. Being able to read a room and work with different kinds of people are incredibly useful skills in any position.
- Being comfortable and open to pivoting when you’re faced with either challenges or opportunities will open doors you never saw coming.
- Always keep learning, even when you’re at the top of the ladder.
Thank you to Adele and Brian for sharing their experience and wisdom with our students. We love to see our community give back and support our students with their time and talents!
