April 2017

Olivia Walker Discovers Her Purpose

Photos by: Slow School Of Business

Discovering your purpose can be one of those light bulb moments in life. Aligning your values with your work is one way of ensuring satisfaction, motivation and happiness. Our Cadet Olivia Walker recently participated in the Slow School of Business’ ‘Talk On Purpose’ This four-day course delves deep into purpose, personal storytelling, leadership and public speaking – all things that we weave into our Cadetship journey. At the end of the course, participants present to an audience to share their purpose journey. Olivia shares her experience.

Preparation and visualisation

I spent three days in the Abbotsford Convent being mentored by the most seasoned public speakers in the industry working towards delivering a short three-minute speech about personal purpose in front of a live studio audience. I’d already done a bit of public speaking with my extra-curricular activities as well as the Doxa Cadetship professional development training, but this was a chance to delve deeper.

Initially the prospect seemed rather daunting, but once we began work on our scripts and I realised just how supported I was within the group, almost all that fear disappeared. Carolyn Tate, the founder of Slow School, goes above and beyond to ensure that the environment we were working in was a comfortable one where you can focus your energy on creating a masterpiece that truly reflects your voice and the message you want to deliver to the world. We did this via daily meditation and breathing exercises. We also got one-on-one script help to assist us with content and structure.

“This course wasn’t just about public speaking it was about how we can use our voice to communicate a message, our story.”

Photos by: Slow School Of Business

Brainstorming, storytelling & script writing

During the course we participated in a variety of activities, including:

Brainstorming what our purpose is how what we do relates to that
A story telling workshop focusing on how to relate on a personal level with the audience
Public speaking techniques and effective delivery
Development of a script for the presentation, presenting our own personal purpose
Presenting our scripts in small groups and receiving instructive feedback
A mock panel where we presented our scripts for feedback in front of our mentor

Public speaking

Naturally, just before I went on stage I was super nervous. There are all sorts of things going through your head at that moment but the most prominent thing on my mind was I hope my message resonates with someone. I wasn’t taking part in this course just to deliver a talk. I had something to share. I was really grateful that some familiar faces from the Doxa Cadetship team were there to support me on the night, which was awesome.

It was so rewarding working alongside people from all different walks of life. It gives you the ability to soak up all the different perspectives and learn what they too are passionate about. It’s a scenario where you feel inspired by your own peers, which I think is really special because we often look to people who we hold in high regard as mentors when actually, we can learn just as much from the people we surround ourselves with.

“Talk on Purpose was an emotional rollercoaster with excitement, fear, happiness, confusion, determination, crying and mostly importantly pride. Upon completion of the course you look back at what you have achieved and the outcome is surreal. I am so thankful I was able to take part in this incredible experience.”

Thanks to Carolyn Tate @ Slow School Of Business for offering our Cadet Olivia a place on the course.

Education Matters – VicGov UPP Session

Publication

Education Matters

Program

University Pathways Program

Summary

In 2017, Doxa partnered with the Victorian Government’s Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) to give disadvantaged high school students the opportunity to learn about current projects such as drought programs, infrastructure projects and transport programs.

Read full article here

Doxa partners with the State Government to support disadvantaged young Victorians

Not-for-profit organisation, Doxa, has partnered with the Victorian Government to introduce disadvantaged high school students to diverse careers in government to ensure future job seekers from underprivileged areas are not left behind.

Through its University Pathways Program, Doxa aims to introduce disadvantaged young people to a wide range of roles and employment pathways available within a government department. The four-year program also aims to create aspiration and build valuable knowledge and skills to support a career in government.

Doxa CEO, Stephen Silk, said this important new partnership will see disadvantaged young secondary students learn and understand current initiatives that will help shape the future of Victoria.

“We have teamed up with the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources to give disadvantaged high school students the opportunity to learn about current projects such as drought programs, infrastructure projects and transport programs,” he said.

“From the tender process and planning to finance and marketing, participants will be immersed in government projects and how they are rolled out from start to finish. The University Pathways Program also includes valuable and important modules on personal development and employability skills,” said Dr Silk.

The Program creates pathways to university and employment for young Victorians between grades nine to 12. It involves students attending a disadvantaged state or independent school from outer and metropolitan Melbourne to ensure they have the best possible chance at gaining a foothold in the job market when they finish their studies.

Science and Mathematics Teacher, and High Achiever and Extension Coordinator at Fountain Gate Secondary College, Nicole Tritter, said the Doxa University Pathways Program gives students valuable insight into the government workforce and life beyond secondary school.

“The program allows participating students to begin to explore the world of work. The workshop also allows students to gain confidence in their personal and communication skills to help them realise their potential and achieve personal greatness,” Ms Tritter said.

The first session took place on Thursday 23 March and involves five Victorian schools including Fountain Gate Secondary College, Narre Warren; Kurunjang Secondary College, Kurunjang; Sale College, Sale; Lyndale College, Dandenong North and Suzanne Cory High School, Hoppers Crossing.

Doxa is a Victorian not-for-profit organisation that provides programs for disadvantaged young people so that everyone can access positive life experiences, educational opportunities and employment pathways.

For more information on Doxa’s University Pathways Program, visit www.doxa.org.au

ENDS

Calling on companies to support high-achieving young Victorians

Victorian not-for-profit organisation, Doxa is calling on companies across the state to support and change the lives of high-achieving young Australians from disadvantaged backgrounds by becoming a Cadetship Program partner.

The Cadetship Program supports young people from challenging life circumstances to complete university and gain the skills they need for an employable future. Doxa has identified 120 first-year undergraduates committed to completing their education and realising their professional career goals.

Doxa, General Manager Partnerships and Corporate Affairs, Alison Polyik, said the organisation is looking for 120 companies to support these talented and highly motivated students, give them a fresh start and allow them to put their life challenges aside as they move towards a brighter future.

“The students are from lower socio-economic backgrounds and are committed to seeking a better future by completing their university education,” she said.

“Almost all are from culturally diverse families, including from refugee and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island backgrounds and about 33 per cent come from rural and regional Victoria.

“Companies can play a vital role in their journey – one which many young people describe as life-changing. Our cadetships are more than a scholarship or internship. It is a holistic approach to the development of a young person and giving them professional opportunities they otherwise would not be able to access on their own,” Ms Polyik said.

Doxa supports Cadetship Program partners by providing a shortlist of talented applicants relevant to their sector, building a learning and development framework, providing mentoring and recruitment support as well as on-boarding advice and offering opportunities for employees to participate in the Cadet’s Professional Development Program.

Since 1993, more than 400 young people have participated in the Doxa Cadetship Program. It is open to Year 12 students transitioning into university and is a three to five year program, depending on the length of the degree the student is undertaking.

Studies show that for all university students from disadvantaged backgrounds, only one in three finish their degree. This compares to 88 per cent of Doxa cadets, who also have the confidence and professional skills to support their transition into professional life.

Doxa is a Victorian not-for-profit organisation that provides programs for young people so that everyone can access positive life experiences, educational opportunities and employment pathways.

To get involved or for more information on the Doxa Cadetship Program, visit www.doxa.org.au.