Cadetship

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. 

Photo (State Library) Michael Tran: 2nd Year Cadet

The power of the Cadetship program is immeasurable. For 2nd Year Cadet Michael Tran it’s been a journey of challenge, personal and professional development and crucial confidence building. Michael is studying a double degree in Law & Arts at the Monash University and completing his work placement at top tier law firm, Allens Linklaters. Here he tells his tale of transformation.

I have always been fascinated by Alice in Wonderland, who fell down the rabbit-hole and found herself in a cycle of adventures that tested her courage, intellect and perseverance. Strangely, I resonate with Alice’s whimsical adventures, through my experiences as a first year Cadet.

Unlike Alice, who fell down the rabbit-hole, my first day as a Cadet involved rocketing up the other direction in an elevator…37 floors up to be exact. I felt anxious and daunted. A first-year law student, with no knowledge about the legal industry, was about to step foot into a global top-tier law-firm. Nonetheless, the doors opened and I was greeted by the sign Allens, a place I would call my Wonderland for the next five years.

Photo (Allens Office/Melbourne Skyline): “Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.”

Prior to my Cadetship journey, my self-confidence had always been clouded by my experiences in high-school, where I had always felt isolated, judged and misunderstood. My past had stripped me of my true personality and my self-belief. I always feared what others thought of me. I was afraid of not ‘fitting in.’

Yet, since stepping out of that elevator, I have been showered with endless support and guidance from my two mentors; Pete and Chris who have enlightened me about the importance of self-confidence in the ruthless legal industry. I was reassured that being a young and curious Cadet at such a large law-firm, was an advantage, as I could afford to make mistakes and to ask questions and to learn from them.

I was inspired when I became a member of the Cadet cohort, all of whom have persevered through their own hardships, but managed to find the strength to fight through.

And it was then I realised, that my past does not define me.

Photo 3 (Fellow Cadets): Cadets (L-R): Shelley Fenech, Michael Tran, Grace Davidson.

I began to gain a level of confidence that was previously, non-existent. I had the courage to network with other lawyers at Allens, casually and professionally. I was confident enough to tackle new tasks without any fear of failing. I had the self-belief to project the best version of myself to the world. I was no longer afraid, of being ‘me.’

This Cadetship and my time at Allens has allowed me to grow so much as a person, professionally and personally, in ways I never thought were possible. As each day passes, I continue to develop the passion, qualities and skills required for the legal industry and to live a more confident life, knowing that everyone involved in the Cadetship program, is cheering me on.

I can’t go back to yesterday because I was a different person then. 

We have identified 120 individuals ready to take up a place on our life-changing Cadetship Program for university undergraduates.  These talented and diverse young people are committed to completing their education and realising their professional career goals. What we need are 120 companies to support these smart, highly-motivated students.

Does your company need:

• talented young minds
• an extra pair of hands to assist with entry level and project tasks for up to eight weeks per year
• an engaged workforce equipped with a growth mindset
• opportunities to build staff morale
• a structured program to engage staff in valuable leadership development

___

Yes? Become a Cadetship Program Partner today.

We have 120 first-year undergraduates from across Victoria who have applied for the Cadetship program in 2017. Top areas of study are: science & pharma/biomed, commerce & business, engineering and law.

• 100% are seeking a future professional career
• 96% come from culturally diverse backgrounds, including refugee and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds
• 33% come from regional/rural Victoria (to study in Melbourne)

___

120 talented young people need your support. Become a Cadetship Program Partner today. Others who have made this smart decision to back young people by becoming a Cadetship Program Partner include: Allens, Dennis Family Homes, KPMG, PwC, V/Line. See the full list here

How we support Cadetship Program Partners:

• provide a shortlist of talented applicants relevant to their sector
• build a learning & development framework in line with Partner development goals
• Mentoring support and on-boarding advice
• recruitment support
• provide opportunities for employees to participate in the Cadet’s Professional Development Program

___

In addition to this, we administer financial assistance directly to the young people, so you don’t have to. We also develop employability and personal skills in young people through our tailored Professional Development Program.

 Doxa puts forward high calibre young people for us to select as part of the Cadetship Program placement. Whilst you might think you’re giving a lot to the Cadet, you’re actually getting a lot out of it yourself. It’s very, very rewarding. – Cadet Mentor

Become a Cadetship Program Partner today. Find out more here or call: 03 9046 8200 email Pip Macdonald, Doxa’s Cadetship Program Manager: pmacdonald@doxa.org.au

See Preethi’s journey in the Cadetship program:-

Alumni Cadet, volunteer addict and all round Doxa legend Priscilla Pham is a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Management and Sustainability) from Deakin University. She completed her work placement at BP Australia and has some great ideas about making the world a better place.

What’s your favourite TV show and why?

Absolutely going to say Friends, a great comedic classic. If I ever need a good laugh I can always rely on Friends. Though I’m also a huge animation addict and have an undying love for Adventure Time. It resonates well with my inner childhood as well as some deep obstacles that we tend to face in life.

Can you tell us about your involvement with Doxa?

Where do I even begin haha, I love Doxa and they’re my forever family. It all started from the Cadetship program where I was selected to commence my placement with BP Australia back in 2013. I’ve finished that now, but felt that Doxa and I could do so much more together. With more capacity for Cadets and Alumni to support and contribute to Doxa, I’d taken on a wide range of voluntary opportunities. I’ve helped out at a series of working bees, racing lunches, Cadetship camps and Holiday Camps in Malmsbury, University Pathways Programs and now the Future Focus program.

“What I can do now with all the skills and experiences is to give back and provide opportunities to the kids who don’t have it, who were like me when I was their age. It’s time for me to give back.”

Priscilla (right) at Doxa Malmsbury Working Bee, March 2016

How has Doxa had an impact on you?

Doxa helped me to believe that no matter what situations happen in my life anything is achievable, all I had to do was seek the resources and support that was already there waiting for me. Doxa made me realise that I’m beyond a social construct and that family comes in all shapes and sizes. Honestly, I don’t know where I’d be now if I didn’t have Doxa there to support me at my lowest. What I can do now with all the skills and experiences is to give back and provide opportunities to the kids who don’t have it, who were like me when I was their age. It’s time for me to give back.

“Doxa helped me to believe that no matter what situations happen in my life anything is achievable.”

Name some of the things in society that matter to you?

Oh gosh, there’s so many! Here are a few key areas though:

Everything from quality living standards, to equality on every level and ensuring that everyone takes into account their responsibility for the environment.

Providing opportunities matters to me because I know that talent is existent in everyone, and if every person has that opportunity to showcase their talents and capabilities only greater things can come from that. It’s amazing what we’re capable of.

I always love to refer to the United Nations 17 Sustainability Goals that countries adopted in September 2015 as their new sustainable agenda. I can relate to all their set goals as my own and their goals are fantastic. We’re in a day and age where societies are capable of so much more.

“Providing opportunities matters to me because I know that talent is existent in everyone…”

What’s your favourite social network and why?

Facebook is my go to and a long time buddy. It’s where I can find interesting news feeds, recipes, updates on friends and family and a great tool for global integration. I can say that half my friends aren’t Australian and I can learn so much about who they are and their culture. Snapchat is great too, it was initial peer pressure but I’ve grown fond of the filters!

What are the top 3 things on your bucket list?

• Travel the world, again and for longer
• Help as many people as I can while I can
• Exude happiness wherever I can