If you have a dream and you want to implement it, it's a risk free way of getting experience without getting hurt. The sorts of things I got help with were how to staff, what sort of ratios you need to work to, I've revised my business plan after we went through it. I'm hoping to open in a few months!
I've come to the UK from Australia and have a range of things I'm looking at: youth worker, school counsellor, careers advisor. I spent time on the phone with James Hawes (counsellor) Hannah Courtney Bennett (careers advisor) and Jay Blades (youth worker). From talking to them all, I got a better idea of what each job involves and what qualifications I do really need to do to take the next steps. Of all the roles, I think counsellor is the best suited to me. James was great at clarifying where I need to start. I wasn't sure if my Aussie qualifications and degree would count towards anything here, but from what he was saying, I do need to get qualified - so I'm starting my counselling course in January!
Through Viewvo I received a valuable introduction to Ben and his team and was able to shadow what they do for a day and witness that this is not always a straightforward or easy process. In truth, one day is not a lot of time to spend in an organisation but it is enough time to gain a powerful impression of the type and focus of the work and the calibre of the team. This can be valuable in making a decision regarding career direction or learning how to be a professional consultant and my day was hugely beneficial in guiding my future career path.
*Update* - 10 months on from Felicity’s shadowing opportunity, she’s building experience to work out exactly what field within Occupational Psychology she wants to be doing. Her time with Ben was really helpful in refining focus to enable her to do this, and she secured a starter position as a Research Intern working in Learning and Development.
I’m an accountant by profession. I’ve been making things all my life and I’ve got to the stage now where I didn’t want to do accountancy anymore as it wasn’t really fulfilling me. I found the day with Susannah absolutely brilliant. She’s been really generous to me in opening up her contacts book so that I know who to go to now for leather suppliers and materials, and she’s given me really good insight into how the mechanics of the business work. the nuts and the bolts of it, the highs, and the lows. I’d definitely recommend job shadowing!
*Update* 7 months on Mary is looking at buying a leather goods production company, which would be a faster route to market for her. Meeting Susannah helped her decision by providing invaluable insight into the industry. *Update* 1 year on Mary has taken a significant step – she has bought a leather goods production business in the West Midlands (so has moved from Ireland to England), she now employs 10 people and has big plans! The starting point was her time with Susannah – congratulations Mary we’re super excited for you and all you've achieved!
What ViewVo offers is a really cool way to get behind the scenes, to see the bits that you would never get to see as a customer or as an outsider. I had the opportunity to spend the day at the stables and ask all the questions I had but wasn’t sure who to ask. I’ve had a great day and it’s been really helpful – I would highly recommend job shadowing and being able to meet a mentor.
Lorraine Rees
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