According to The Economic Times, starting early on career guidance can greatly benefit teenagers. By figuring out what interests them early in their secondary education, learners can make informed choices about their academic subjects, setting them on a stronger path towards their dream jobs. Recognising that career guidance in schools is essential in helping prepare learners for a world outside of these walls, Nexus starts its Careers and University units early, from Year 9 to 13 learners and offers the NexSteps Careers Workshop. This is where our Year 10 and 12 learners get a head start by learning from industry professionals, developing business ideas, and even practising interview skills – all valuable experiences that will give them a competitive edge in the future.
Learning From Seasoned Industry Experts
This year’s workshop was packed with exciting activities. Learners met real-life marketing, law, health, and digital technology professionals. These professionals came from companies like Google, Apple, EY, and Zalora, and even included some of our entrepreneurial Nexus parents! These experts shared their daily routines, the challenges and rewards of their jobs, and even some funny stories from the start of their career journeys explaining setbacks are often fleeting moments that can offer space for growth. Our learners came prepared, asking our panellists questions to get a clearer picture of what it takes to succeed in their chosen fields.
Pitching with Young Founders School (YFS)
NexSteps wasn’t just about listening, our learners also got to unleash their inner entrepreneurs! Hosted by The Young Founders School (YFS), learners were challenged to create a business proposal in just a few hours. It was a crash course in everything from brainstorming ideas to designing wireframes, creating a marketing strategy and pitching to investors. Teams even took on C-suite roles like CEO, CTO, CMO, CFO and COO, learning to work together and make crucial decisions.
“The atmosphere in the room was exhilarating”, commented Billy from the Young Founders School as he watched a bustling room of Nexus learners in a frenzy discussing their ideas, “The time spent with the mentors was truly remarkable; it’s not often that learners of this age get to interact with founders and leaders of some of the largest tech companies in the region.”
Coming from many different backgrounds but with a common experience in pitching, these mentors offered interesting perspectives while working with our learners. They provided their expertise to guide learners towards quantifying statements, strengthening proposals and building their projects up in general.
The variety of approaches our learners came up with was amazing! Learners used design software, brainstormed with AI tools, and devised creative solutions. To conclude the boot camp, learners presented their pitches to a panel of industry leaders. The ‘Save Now’ team took home the top prize with their app to find discounts and deals, impressing the judges with their clear vision and strategy.
From Classroom to Boardroom: YFS & Nexus Prepares Students for Real-World Careers
Billy, the founder of YFS, understands firsthand the importance of mentorship for young learners. Inspired by his experience of lacking support, he created YFS to bridge that gap. YFS goes beyond theory, providing practical training, mentorship, and real-world experience. Their courses are designed by industry experts who infuse their practical knowledge, perfectly aligning with Nexus’s focus on real-world application in learning.
The good news doesn’t stop there. YFS is expanding its partnership with Nexus to offer an internship program! Learners will get the chance to work on real projects with companies like Visa and Syfe, gaining valuable experience that will make them stand out in college applications and future jobs. This cements our commitment to our Learners to ensure that, as a school, we provide many opportunities for them to engage in experiential learning.
Experiencing Mock Job Interviews
Finally, the workshop wrapped up with mock interviews. Learners experienced a simulated first interview in a safe space, receiving feedback from professionals to help them polish their CVs, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills – all essential tools for any career path they choose.
Inclusive and Engaging Learning for Everyone
NexSteps was definitely a whirlwind of learning for our learners. Over the course of the two day workshop, they gained valuable insights into the working world, developed their communication skills, collaborated effectively and even practised interview skills. These are all soft skills that all learners will need as they continue working towards their career paths.
Nexus International School (Singapore)
As a school for learners aged 3 - 18 years old, we love sharing our insights on education, learner wellbeing and learning in general.
