ABC Radio National “Life Matters” show. Listen again HERE.
Cadetship
Doxa CEO, Steve Clifford, and Cadet Alumnus, Brendan Lawley, were interviewed by Amanda Smith on Radio National ‘Life Matters’ show about the Cadetship program and mentoring.
AMT Magazine
Cadetship
Doxa is seeking to partner with businesses across Victoria as part of its flagship employment pathways Cadetship program.
Herald Sun (also syndicated in the Brisbane Courier and Adelaide Advertiser)
Cadetship
Doxa CEO, Steve Clifford, and Cadet Alumni, Shelley Fenech, and external program facilitators speak to NewsCorp about the challenges facing school leavers.
Victorian not-for-profit, Doxa is seeking to partner with businesses across Victoria as part of their flagship employment pathways Cadetship Program.
Doxa has selected 12 business-minded young achievers from a diverse range of backgrounds for Cadetship. These individuals are motivated, talented, tenacious and have overcome enormous barriers in their pursuit to stay engaged in education. 44% are studying a STEM subject at university, 29% are studying Business, 13% Finance, 9% Law and 5% an Arts degree.
This CSR-aligned social investment opportunity offers Program Partners a talented undergraduate as part of their team; skilled volunteering opportunities for existing staff; and a chance to change the life of a high-achieving young Australian from a disadvantaged background.
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.
Doxa CEO, Steve Clifford, said that: “We have a diverse range of Cadets all in great need. 51% live off a family income of below $30,000 per annum, 24% are refugees/newly arrived migrants, 18% come from rural/regional areas. These young people are experiencing significant disadvantage. They don’t have the social capital, financial support or professional networks that you and I had.”
“What they do have is the skills, growth mindset and incredible drive to succeed in business and in life. But they need your help in order to achieve this,” he said.
“We currently have 12 young people left to place this year by mid-April, and that’s why we are calling out for organisations with a focus on STEM, Business, Finance, Law and Arts to partner with us and join us on the journey.”
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.
To get involved or for more information on the Doxa Cadetship Program, visit www.doxa.org.au.
Ends.
Media Contact: Belinda Rowse, Public Relations Officer, Doxa
Email: browse@doxa.org.au | Phone: 03 9046 8207
We have shortlisted these future stars from a diverse range of challenging backgrounds from across Victoria for our 2018 Cadetship program. We are now looking for corporates to partner with to create a life-changing experience for these young people experiencing disadvantage.
That’s where you come in.
This CSR-aligned social investment opportunity means that your company will have:
And we’ve made it easy for you. We provide you with a shortlist of talented applicants, on-boarding support, mentoring support and admin assistance. Your company provides a work placement, Doxa provides the support, and we partner to create a life changing opportunity. We are with you every step of the way to make it a valuable experience for all involved.
You’ll be working with some truly impressive young people who are equipped with the drive, resilience and growth mindset to succeed and navigate the workplace of the future. Many have faced socio-economic disadvantage, others have come from a refugee/asylum seeker background and some have come from rural/regional Victoria. Overcoming hardship has given them the determination and drive to succeed.
The challenge we face is that we have 12 incredible young people from our shortlist to place at sponsor companies by mid-April. We need your assistance to provide the solution. Get involved and become a Cadetship sponsor company today.
Future Insights student, UPP volunteer and Melbourne University student Layal Al Ashkar
Although I was born and raised in Australia– a place where I believe I am fortunate enough to perhaps experience less vulnerability than other girls and women around the globe- that is not to say that I grew up oblivious to the disparity which continues to exist even in the most cosmopolitan of countries and communities. Neither, does it mean that I grew up blind to the human rights violations and inequalities occurring on a global scale. Being a daughter of Lebanese migrants ensured I was confronted by the inequality endured by women – particularly prevalent in the flawed rights to freedom, education and the minimal or lesser opportunities available.
Understanding, and appreciating the opportunities I have is why I am driven to play a crucial role in change- the only constant in our society.
Layal with her female family members for International Womens Day 2018
International Women’s Day (IWD) means much more to me than a single day to celebrate ‘women’ . It is the depiction and ongoing reminder, of how far we have come in gender inclusivity, yet how far we have yet to go. It is about understanding that sealing the gender gap is over a century away and this task requires global, collective progress. It is about advocating the importance of maintaining a gender parity mindset and empowering young girls.
This year, I have decided to focus on celebrating women’s achievements – this is my part in the #PressforProgress theme and here is how I aim to do so!
Being able to connect with others who are invested in commemorating and supporting other women is essential. A key, respected role model of mine is Emma Watson who has used her fame to contribute to Women’s Rights and worked with the UN for the HeForShe campaign. I will continue to support her work and that of others like her, by sharing, contributing and acknowledging the time and effort she is investing as an activist, within my influential sphere.
With digital technology as advanced as we have ever known, it is now more than ever that we must continue to strategically use social media platforms to share and praise one another’s achievements- particularly in the gender parity agenda.
IWD plays a crucial role in reaching and combining the efforts of global governments, women’s organisations, business, and charities across the world. An essential form of giving credit is ensuring that all these divisions are working collectively towards eradicating the gender gap.
Collective efforts become historic legacies which can be carried on through generations as proof of success and further inspiration. I vow to contribute in giving credit where it is deserved, regardless of status and gender. This includes acknowledging the hard work of those around me as well as that of all women around the world through sharing success, acknowledging and building upon the past efforts.
“No country can develop if half its population is left behind” – Justine Greening, UK Development Secretary
Every life is as vivid and complex as the other. Individuals have varying ideas of what ‘achievement’ means. The ever-evolving concepts of female roles in society often shape these ideas and I will strive to respect all forms of achievement.
Achievement takes effort, skill and courage- values which are implemented in various ways to achieve various outcomes. In believing this, I hope to aid in the instillment of these values in all girls and women. I will strive to achieve this by supporting my family, friends, social sphere and further reaching out to assist young girls through volunteering for programs, including Doxa’s Future Focus and Universities Pathways Programs.
Current first and second year Doxa Cadets
These young people are resilient, determined, ambitious and incredibly talented. They’ve all got a place at university; they just lack the financial backing and professional network needed to succeed.
Students may have come from a low socio-economic background, have had tough times at home, come from single parent families or be from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse background. Many are the first in their family to attend university.
Every year we match as many young people as we can with a sponsor company to support them throughout university, and we are always looking for new program partners.
10 places have already been found, with 35 more spaces available.
If you work for a company that has a CSR alignment and is interested in supporting a young person throughout their degree with a work placement, a mentor and financial assistance, then please get in touch: cadet@doxa.org.au
ProBono Australia
Development Programs
Not-for-profit organisation Doxa provides programs to support disadvantaged young Victorians through their education, and they have gathered tips and insights from top career and financial coaches to assist young people looking to enter university, vocational studies or the workforce.
Good financial management, commitment and adaptability are important skills Victorian high school leavers must adopt to thrive in today’s world of work and life beyond secondary school, according to some of the state’s top career and financial coaches.
The end of secondary schooling is a major milestone for many young Victorians as they make the transition to adulthood and prepare to enter university, vocational studies or the workforce. Not-for-profit organisation, Doxa, provides programs for disadvantaged young Victorians to support them through their education.
“This period is often stressful for many young people and can become a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s particularly challenging for disadvantaged young Victorians who often struggle with finding and keeping meaningful work once they leave high school and enter the workforce,” said Doxa CEO, Steve Clifford.
To assist young Victorians navigate this challenging and exciting stage of their lives, Doxa has gathered tips and insights from top coaches including Finance Academy Australia, Heart Sparks and TRIPOD Enterprise Education. Each organisation provides self confidence, career, and financial management workshops across Doxa’s educational opportunity and employment pathways programs.
Keep your personal finances in check!
For many high school leavers, the transition to the workforce will become the first time that they will earn a salary. Chinmay Ananda, of Finance Academy Australia (AAA), assists disadvantaged youth to effectively handle personal finance throughout university as part of Doxa’s Cadetship Program.
“It’s important for young people to know how to handle finances once they start earning a wage. I always tell young people to always make more money than you spend. To know if you are making more money than you are spending, first you need to know how much you are spending. Remember, you shouldn’t make assumptions when it comes to finance; you should know the exact dollar amount,” he said.
Doxa Cadet and RMIT University Student, Kim Quinones, said as part of her professional development training at Doxa, she learnt about financial management and planning. “It’s been great to gain some new skills and guidance on how to deal with bills and manage your spending. Throughout my high school and university experience, financial planning is something we don’t get as part of our education, so it has been a big help for me,” she said.
Aim for commitment, not just motivation
Commitment is often viewed as a quality rather than a skill. Many young people believe they need more motivation, when in fact, first and foremost, they need to tap into a deeper commitment to what they really want.
“Being committed is a skill that can be chosen, increased and learned. It’s about continuing to show up when things feel hard and motivation is waning, especially in challenging instances where you are being turned down for jobs or further study,” said Johanna Parker, Life, Confidence and Speaker Coach, Speaker and MC at Heart Sparks.
Adapt your skills from one opportunity to the next
No matter what industry you land in, jobs and roles are ever changing. Young people need to not only embrace change, but be flexible in their dreams and aspirations.
“Sometimes to get from A to B, you might have to swing all the way past Z first. Those who embrace change and adapt their skill from one opportunity to the next will have a huge advantage in the future world of work. Whatever skills you learn in one opportunity or job will take you forward to the next, and use for the rest of your life. Understanding how these skills transfer is key to success,” said Betsy Tolmer, Director of TRIPOD Enterprise Education.
Former Doxa Cadet and now full-time Sales and Marketing Assistant at Melbourne-based agency Anecdote, Shelley Fenech, added that being able to communicate articulately is important in the workplace and this is something she’s developed during her time as a Doxa Cadet.
“Something they don’t teach you at university is that conveying your message in the most efficient and quickest way possible is highly valuable in a busy world. Having emotional intelligence is also crucial. The way you interact and work with others is super valuable. These relationships are what can foster your potential or hinder it,” said Ms Fenech.
Many of Doxa’s programs help disadvantaged youth gain the support, skills and confidence they need to be strong contenders in the workforce and active contributors to a university community. It is one of but a few Victorian organisations providing programs to support disadvantaged young people across key development and life cycle stages from primary school right through to university or post secondary school studies and employment. For more information on Doxa and its programs, visit www.doxa.org.au.
ENDS
Media contact: Jackie Smiles | jackie@flourishpr.com | 03 9092 8449
Education HQ
Doxa School Bendigo
The Ball In The Mall is an annual community-driven event creates positive impact for disadvantaged youth in Bendigo. Students from Doxa School Bendigo gathered at Hargreaves Mall on Friday, 27 October 2017 for the region’s second annual Ball in the Mall, aimed at making a positive difference to the lives of disadvantaged youth by providing them with an experience they wouldn’t normally have.
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