thank you good evening ladies and gentlemen I’m really happy to be here
gentlemen I’m really happy to be here
gentlemen I’m really happy to be here today to share my story it’s definitely
today to share my story it’s definitely
today to share my story it’s definitely a big shoe to fill speaking out an actor
a big shoe to fill speaking out an actor
a big shoe to fill speaking out an actor and a veteran TED speaker but I can
and a veteran TED speaker but I can
and a veteran TED speaker but I can simply do it the Trump way which is my
simply do it the Trump way which is my
simply do it the Trump way which is my way and hopefully I can share my story
way and hopefully I can share my story
way and hopefully I can share my story and inspire some of you the theme today
and inspire some of you the theme today
and inspire some of you the theme today is catalysts and the topic I was
is catalysts and the topic I was
is catalysts and the topic I was assigned was education and social
assigned was education and social
assigned was education and social mobility this is something that is
mobility this is something that is
mobility this is something that is really close to my heart and I’ve
really close to my heart and I’ve
really close to my heart and I’ve dedicated the past nearly 15 to 17 years
dedicated the past nearly 15 to 17 years
dedicated the past nearly 15 to 17 years working in various capacities on this
working in various capacities on this
working in various capacities on this theme so what is catalyst I will start
theme so what is catalyst I will start
theme so what is catalyst I will start by defining interpreting these words in
by defining interpreting these words in
by defining interpreting these words in my eyes and then I will share my own
my eyes and then I will share my own
my eyes and then I will share my own story and give a few words of advice to
story and give a few words of advice to
story and give a few words of advice to students here so when I first looked at
students here so when I first looked at
students here so when I first looked at this word catalyst it actually brought
this word catalyst it actually brought
this word catalyst it actually brought back horrific memories of chemistry a
back horrific memories of chemistry a
back horrific memories of chemistry a level and I thought but if I were to
level and I thought but if I were to
level and I thought but if I were to apply the word catalyst to our everyday
apply the word catalyst to our everyday
apply the word catalyst to our everyday life we can basically see it as an agent
life we can basically see it as an agent
life we can basically see it as an agent of change someone or something that
of change someone or something that
of change someone or something that affects change and not just any change
affects change and not just any change
affects change and not just any change but change at a fast rate but to add to
but change at a fast rate but to add to
but change at a fast rate but to add to that I actually see catalysts as
that I actually see catalysts as
that I actually see catalysts as something that actually evokes change in
something that actually evokes change in
something that actually evokes change in a positive way with that then I would
a positive way with that then I would
a positive way with that then I would like to interpret the word social
like to interpret the word social
like to interpret the word social mobility social mobility for most people
mobility social mobility for most people
mobility social mobility for most people you would see it as a way to help and
you would see it as a way to help and
you would see it as a way to help and the resource or grassroot students or
the resource or grassroot students or
the resource or grassroot students or people move up the social hierarchy in
people move up the social hierarchy in
people move up the social hierarchy in society however for you guys as many of
society however for you guys as many of
society however for you guys as many of you Millennials I would like to also add
you Millennials I would like to also add
you Millennials I would like to also add one more definition of social mobility
one more definition of social mobility
one more definition of social mobility research has it that Millennials
research has it that Millennials
research has it that Millennials nowadays will potentially change jobs 11
nowadays will potentially change jobs 11
nowadays will potentially change jobs 11 times in your life and potentially for
times in your life and potentially for
times in your life and potentially for different industries so an abstract way
different industries so an abstract way
different industries so an abstract way of seeing social mobility is this how do
of seeing social mobility is this how do
of seeing social mobility is this how do you change from one social context to
you change from one social context to
you change from one social context to another social context and how do you
another social context and how do you
another social context and how do you transfer your skills
transfer your skills
transfer your skills transfera mentality and still you know
transfera mentality and still you know
transfera mentality and still you know change and excel in this new context so
change and excel in this new context so
change and excel in this new context so at the moment it sounds a little bit
at the moment it sounds a little bit
at the moment it sounds a little bit abstract so where did I get this
abstract so where did I get this
abstract so where did I get this thoughts from and I will have to go back
thoughts from and I will have to go back
thoughts from and I will have to go back to my own story and go back to 2008
to my own story and go back to 2008
to my own story and go back to 2008 where I was at Goldman Sachs and so for
where I was at Goldman Sachs and so for
where I was at Goldman Sachs and so for those of you who knew what happened
those of you who knew what happened
those of you who knew what happened during 2008 Goldman Sachs is not the
during 2008 Goldman Sachs is not the
during 2008 Goldman Sachs is not the place you want to be or should be
place you want to be or should be
place you want to be or should be because that was during a financial
because that was during a financial
because that was during a financial crisis so I was seeing my friends being
crisis so I was seeing my friends being
crisis so I was seeing my friends being you know we used to have an icy queue in
you know we used to have an icy queue in
you know we used to have an icy queue in Goldman Goldman where we face a
Goldman Goldman where we face a
Goldman Goldman where we face a community communicate with each other
community communicate with each other
community communicate with each other with an internal network and my friends
with an internal network and my friends
with an internal network and my friends were usually on the available category
were usually on the available category
were usually on the available category but during that few months of financial
but during that few months of financial
but during that few months of financial crisis I saw a lot of them dropped off
crisis I saw a lot of them dropped off
crisis I saw a lot of them dropped off like flies into the N a category which
like flies into the N a category which
like flies into the N a category which meant were fired and if you’re fired at
meant were fired and if you’re fired at
meant were fired and if you’re fired at goldman sachs you would be escorted out
goldman sachs you would be escorted out
goldman sachs you would be escorted out so like criminal by guards so it was a
so like criminal by guards so it was a
so like criminal by guards so it was a really really I would say interesting
really really I would say interesting
really really I would say interesting but also quite terrifying period at the
but also quite terrifying period at the
but also quite terrifying period at the bank but then a few months after
bank but then a few months after
bank but then a few months after financial crisis government decided
financial crisis government decided
financial crisis government decided especially my team which went down from
especially my team which went down from
especially my team which went down from 13 people to 2 they decided that they
13 people to 2 they decided that they
13 people to 2 they decided that they had actually over fired so I was tasked
had actually over fired so I was tasked
had actually over fired so I was tasked with two things one is to go out and
with two things one is to go out and
with two things one is to go out and rehire ok especially looking at Hong
rehire ok especially looking at Hong
rehire ok especially looking at Hong Kong graduates because we wanted someone
Kong graduates because we wanted someone
Kong graduates because we wanted someone who could speak Cantonese and Mandarin
who could speak Cantonese and Mandarin
who could speak Cantonese and Mandarin and the second task I was given is to
and the second task I was given is to
and the second task I was given is to raise morale within the remaining teams
raise morale within the remaining teams
raise morale within the remaining teams so I was asked to get involved with
so I was asked to get involved with
so I was asked to get involved with community service and there were two
community service and there were two
community service and there were two options and one option was picking up
options and one option was picking up
options and one option was picking up rubbish in the beach and the other
rubbish in the beach and the other
rubbish in the beach and the other option was to teach under-resourced
option was to teach under-resourced
option was to teach under-resourced students interview skills so obviously I
students interview skills so obviously I
students interview skills so obviously I chose the latter with those two things I
chose the latter with those two things I
chose the latter with those two things I actually had a revelation that was
actually had a revelation that was
actually had a revelation that was related to education with the first of
related to education with the first of
related to education with the first of hiring new undergraduates and many of
hiring new undergraduates and many of
hiring new undergraduates and many of them had these amazing Seavey’s amazing
them had these amazing Seavey’s amazing
them had these amazing Seavey’s amazing experiences amazing greats on paper but
experiences amazing greats on paper but
experiences amazing greats on paper but when they came into the interviews or
when they came into the interviews or
when they came into the interviews or even when we gave them an in
even when we gave them an in
even when we gave them an in they didn’t exhibit those critical
they didn’t exhibit those critical
they didn’t exhibit those critical transferable skills necessary in the
transferable skills necessary in the
transferable skills necessary in the work environment so that got me thinking
work environment so that got me thinking
work environment so that got me thinking the world is changing much faster than
the world is changing much faster than
the world is changing much faster than education is so we’re no longer looking
education is so we’re no longer looking
education is so we’re no longer looking at looking for knowledge knowledge you
at looking for knowledge knowledge you
at looking for knowledge knowledge you can be replaced by Google I go into
can be replaced by Google I go into
can be replaced by Google I go into Google and I will know much more than
Google and I will know much more than
Google and I will know much more than you would ever know from research we
you would ever know from research we
you would ever know from research we really needed skills so that’s the first
really needed skills so that’s the first
really needed skills so that’s the first revelation that came to me and I was
revelation that came to me and I was
revelation that came to me and I was like what’s going on with a field of
like what’s going on with a field of
like what’s going on with a field of education the second thing is in
education the second thing is in
education the second thing is in teaching these under-resourced students
teaching these under-resourced students
teaching these under-resourced students our interview skills we were we
our interview skills we were we
our interview skills we were we partnered with an NGO and it was very
partnered with an NGO and it was very
partnered with an NGO and it was very underfunded and it was not very well
underfunded and it was not very well
underfunded and it was not very well coordinated and the materials we were
coordinated and the materials we were
coordinated and the materials we were given to teach the students were not up
given to teach the students were not up
given to teach the students were not up to quality but the most important thing
to quality but the most important thing
to quality but the most important thing is the students were actually teaching
is the students were actually teaching
is the students were actually teaching were the wrong target what that means is
were the wrong target what that means is
were the wrong target what that means is at the end of the interview skills
at the end of the interview skills
at the end of the interview skills workshop we asked the students you know
workshop we asked the students you know
workshop we asked the students you know would you ever want to apply to a
would you ever want to apply to a
would you ever want to apply to a company like Goldman Sachs and they just
company like Goldman Sachs and they just
company like Goldman Sachs and they just looked at us and said no I never thought
looked at us and said no I never thought
looked at us and said no I never thought about that I actually just want to be a
about that I actually just want to be a
about that I actually just want to be a sales in my local grocery next door so
sales in my local grocery next door so
sales in my local grocery next door so we actually gave them and they looked at
we actually gave them and they looked at
we actually gave them and they looked at us and they’re like yo you guys are from
us and they’re like yo you guys are from
us and they’re like yo you guys are from the Eiffel Towers we can never be there
the Eiffel Towers we can never be there
the Eiffel Towers we can never be there we don’t want to be there so I wait so
we don’t want to be there so I wait so
we don’t want to be there so I wait so we felt that we were targeting the wrong
we felt that we were targeting the wrong
we felt that we were targeting the wrong audience how can we actually target the
audience how can we actually target the
audience how can we actually target the right people to make a bigger change
right people to make a bigger change
right people to make a bigger change more effectively so that got me really
more effectively so that got me really
more effectively so that got me really intrigued and into the field of
intrigued and into the field of
intrigued and into the field of education and I decided to catalyze the
education and I decided to catalyze the
education and I decided to catalyze the process go and speak to a lot of people
process go and speak to a lot of people
process go and speak to a lot of people a lot of stakeholders in the field of
a lot of stakeholders in the field of
a lot of stakeholders in the field of education including teachers politicians
education including teachers politicians
education including teachers politicians investors NGOs schools and universities
investors NGOs schools and universities
investors NGOs schools and universities and we asked them how can we help to
and we asked them how can we help to
and we asked them how can we help to make a change in the education industry
make a change in the education industry
make a change in the education industry and obviously the ones who were most
and obviously the ones who were most
and obviously the ones who were most interested to talk to us were investors
interested to talk to us were investors
interested to talk to us were investors of education companies and they said
of education companies and they said
of education companies and they said look you know you can come in as a
look you know you can come in as a
look you know you can come in as a corporate finance EA’s and but then I
corporate finance EA’s and but then I
corporate finance EA’s and but then I actually wanted to get my hands dirty in
actually wanted to get my hands dirty in
actually wanted to get my hands dirty in the field of education I wanted to
the field of education I wanted to
the field of education I wanted to experience
experience
experience myself I wanted to try it out myself in
myself I wanted to try it out myself in
myself I wanted to try it out myself in evoking change in the industry so I
evoking change in the industry so I
evoking change in the industry so I decided to quit goldman sachs and be a
decided to quit goldman sachs and be a
decided to quit goldman sachs and be a local secondary school teacher so you
local secondary school teacher so you
local secondary school teacher so you should have seen the face on my father
should have seen the face on my father
should have seen the face on my father or my father when I told him this
or my father when I told him this
or my father when I told him this decision he he thought I went crazy
decision he he thought I went crazy
decision he he thought I went crazy after the financial crisis and and I
after the financial crisis and and I
after the financial crisis and and I said you know I just really want to do
said you know I just really want to do
said you know I just really want to do something before I turn 30
something before I turn 30
something before I turn 30 and as I went on and I left Goldman and
and as I went on and I left Goldman and
and as I went on and I left Goldman and then I realized I was properly
then I realized I was properly
then I realized I was properly unemployed and properly unemployable
unemployed and properly unemployable
unemployed and properly unemployable because apparently you need
because apparently you need
because apparently you need qualifications to be a teacher so I said
qualifications to be a teacher so I said
qualifications to be a teacher so I said they’re thinking I am NOT unemployed and
they’re thinking I am NOT unemployed and
they’re thinking I am NOT unemployed and I’m not employable so I knocked on a few
I’m not employable so I knocked on a few
I’m not employable so I knocked on a few local school stores and not know not
local school stores and not know not
local school stores and not know not many people took me on board apart from
many people took me on board apart from
many people took me on board apart from one they said I could be a substitute
one they said I could be a substitute
one they said I could be a substitute teacher and I ended up teaching
teacher and I ended up teaching
teacher and I ended up teaching geography and history I relearned
geography and history I relearned
geography and history I relearned everything but with that then what did I
everything but with that then what did I
everything but with that then what did I see in my experience in this local
see in my experience in this local
see in my experience in this local secondary school what are the education
secondary school what are the education
secondary school what are the education gaps that we observed and what are these
gaps that we observed and what are these
gaps that we observed and what are these gaps that we wanted to fill I’ve
gaps that we wanted to fill I’ve
gaps that we wanted to fill I’ve observed three things one is I realized
observed three things one is I realized
observed three things one is I realized a lot of students actually lacked a
a lot of students actually lacked a
a lot of students actually lacked a sense of direction now I’m not saying
sense of direction now I’m not saying
sense of direction now I’m not saying that at the age of 10 and 12 and 15
that at the age of 10 and 12 and 15
that at the age of 10 and 12 and 15 you’re expected to tell me that I want
you’re expected to tell me that I want
you’re expected to tell me that I want to be a lawyer
to be a lawyer
to be a lawyer definitely for life or medic definitely
definitely for life or medic definitely
definitely for life or medic definitely for life Mississippi had said that to me
for life Mississippi had said that to me
for life Mississippi had said that to me then your parents must have done a
then your parents must have done a
then your parents must have done a really good job brainstorming you brain
really good job brainstorming you brain
really good job brainstorming you brain washing you but I just wanted to see a
washing you but I just wanted to see a
washing you but I just wanted to see a little bit of sense of direction in
little bit of sense of direction in
little bit of sense of direction in terms of what I might interested in what
terms of what I might interested in what
terms of what I might interested in what am i interested to pursue could I turn
am i interested to pursue could I turn
am i interested to pursue could I turn that interest into Burton to a passion
that interest into Burton to a passion
that interest into Burton to a passion do I have something that that inspires
do I have something that that inspires
do I have something that that inspires me that I want to take it further that
me that I want to take it further that
me that I want to take it further that kind of direction so upon asking
kind of direction so upon asking
kind of direction so upon asking students why not thinking one or two
students why not thinking one or two
students why not thinking one or two steps further they say well my goal is
steps further they say well my goal is
steps further they say well my goal is to get into university which is right
to get into university which is right
to get into university which is right and universities care about grades I can
and universities care about grades I can
and universities care about grades I can put down in my application medicine law
put down in my application medicine law
put down in my application medicine law you know psychology science social
you know psychology science social
you know psychology science social sciences ultimately I don’t get to
sciences ultimately I don’t get to
sciences ultimately I don’t get to choose my grades will
choose my grades will
choose my grades will choose for me which direction I should
choose for me which direction I should
choose for me which direction I should go so many of them are either frustrated
go so many of them are either frustrated
go so many of them are either frustrated because they’re not getting that grade
because they’re not getting that grade
because they’re not getting that grade in that particular subject or they feel
in that particular subject or they feel
in that particular subject or they feel deflated so unmotivated and that is one
deflated so unmotivated and that is one
deflated so unmotivated and that is one other trend that we see they are unsure
other trend that we see they are unsure
other trend that we see they are unsure of what options are out there certainly
of what options are out there certainly
of what options are out there certainly some of the students are really really
some of the students are really really
some of the students are really really well equipped star students but for them
well equipped star students but for them
well equipped star students but for them when I see them and I talk to them and
when I see them and I talk to them and
when I see them and I talk to them and teach them I realize a lot of them have
teach them I realize a lot of them have
teach them I realize a lot of them have a lot of knowledge but not the
a lot of knowledge but not the
a lot of knowledge but not the transferable skills that I think they
transferable skills that I think they
transferable skills that I think they will need to excel in University and
will need to excel in University and
will need to excel in University and beyond
beyond
beyond so with those three inspirations we
so with those three inspirations we
so with those three inspirations we really wanted to help them find the
really wanted to help them find the
really wanted to help them find the direction potentially it could be greedy
direction potentially it could be greedy
direction potentially it could be greedy seek interest to make it into a passion
seek interest to make it into a passion
seek interest to make it into a passion identify options so they can be more
identify options so they can be more
identify options so they can be more positive in the process of Education and
positive in the process of Education and
positive in the process of Education and also build skills so they’re not
also build skills so they’re not
also build skills so they’re not competitive just short term but
competitive just short term but
competitive just short term but competitive in life so we did a lot of
competitive in life so we did a lot of
competitive in life so we did a lot of things including skills programs you
things including skills programs you
things including skills programs you know consulting etc but what was really
know consulting etc but what was really
know consulting etc but what was really close to my heart is that how can I go
close to my heart is that how can I go
close to my heart is that how can I go back and did what I did at Goldman and
back and did what I did at Goldman and
back and did what I did at Goldman and help the under-resourced students and
help the under-resourced students and
help the under-resourced students and this time I will focus on the right
this time I will focus on the right
this time I will focus on the right target those who are can really really
target those who are can really really
target those who are can really really help and those who really do need our
help and those who really do need our
help and those who really do need our help so we focus on under-resourced but
help so we focus on under-resourced but
help so we focus on under-resourced but high achieving students a lot of people
high achieving students a lot of people
high achieving students a lot of people in Hongkong say when you’re helping on
in Hongkong say when you’re helping on
in Hongkong say when you’re helping on the resource you’re looking at the
the resource you’re looking at the
the resource you’re looking at the marginal students and when you say
marginal students and when you say
marginal students and when you say marginal a lot of them think they must
marginal a lot of them think they must
marginal a lot of them think they must be you know may be on drugs or they
be you know may be on drugs or they
be you know may be on drugs or they might must be from really horrible
might must be from really horrible
might must be from really horrible broken families and you know a horrible
broken families and you know a horrible
broken families and you know a horrible living conditions but for from our
living conditions but for from our
living conditions but for from our perspective we wanted to help the
perspective we wanted to help the
perspective we wanted to help the marginal students who are at the top of
marginal students who are at the top of
marginal students who are at the top of the under resource segment who if we can
the under resource segment who if we can
the under resource segment who if we can give them a little bit of inspiration a
give them a little bit of inspiration a
give them a little bit of inspiration a little bit more exposure a little bit
little bit more exposure a little bit
little bit more exposure a little bit more guidance the world is this so that
more guidance the world is this so that
more guidance the world is this so that is the segment that we wanted to target
is the segment that we wanted to target
is the segment that we wanted to target so what do we do we went out and
so what do we do we went out and
so what do we do we went out and partnered with Singh James settlements
partnered with Singh James settlements
partnered with Singh James settlements and ten schools or we started with three
and ten schools or we started with three
and ten schools or we started with three and now we have fifteen and then we are
and now we have fifteen and then we are
and now we have fifteen and then we are our vision was to bridge the
our vision was to bridge the
our vision was to bridge the opportunities gap
opportunities gap
opportunities gap for the under-resourced and high
for the under-resourced and high
for the under-resourced and high achieving students through three things
achieving students through three things
achieving students through three things one we wanted them to have more exposure
one we wanted them to have more exposure
one we wanted them to have more exposure to find the direction so we partnered
to find the direction so we partnered
to find the direction so we partnered with fifty companies across 24
with fifty companies across 24
with fifty companies across 24 industries all the way from medics
industries all the way from medics
industries all the way from medics Hospital hospitals law firms to media
Hospital hospitals law firms to media
Hospital hospitals law firms to media companies to tech startups like 9gag is
companies to tech startups like 9gag is
companies to tech startups like 9gag is also one of our partner companies to
also one of our partner companies to
also one of our partner companies to provide these students with career
provide these students with career
provide these students with career opportunities and mentorship second
opportunities and mentorship second
opportunities and mentorship second thing then is they need to build skills
thing then is they need to build skills
thing then is they need to build skills because skills will not just get you
because skills will not just get you
because skills will not just get you into university but it will make you a
into university but it will make you a
into university but it will make you a much more or rounded and complete person
much more or rounded and complete person
much more or rounded and complete person post University
post University
post University so we deployed all our teachers to
so we deployed all our teachers to
so we deployed all our teachers to schools and host big literacy days
schools and host big literacy days
schools and host big literacy days public speaking events reading and
public speaking events reading and
public speaking events reading and writing skills get them to read books as
writing skills get them to read books as
writing skills get them to read books as not in the textbook but actually books
not in the textbook but actually books
not in the textbook but actually books that people actually like to read so and
that people actually like to read so and
that people actually like to read so and that was really really interesting
that was really really interesting
that was really really interesting especially for the corporates that
especially for the corporates that
especially for the corporates that actually they’re actually partnered with
actually they’re actually partnered with
actually they’re actually partnered with us to provide these skills training a
us to provide these skills training a
us to provide these skills training a lot of these skills training is starts
lot of these skills training is starts
lot of these skills training is starts off with one thing and that is self
off with one thing and that is self
off with one thing and that is self reflection personality identification
reflection personality identification
reflection personality identification and what is it that you want to achieve
and what is it that you want to achieve
and what is it that you want to achieve in life and that is provided by lots of
in life and that is provided by lots of
in life and that is provided by lots of the corporates lastly then is helping
the corporates lastly then is helping
the corporates lastly then is helping them identify options Hong Kong versus
them identify options Hong Kong versus
them identify options Hong Kong versus overseas Hong Kong universities are
overseas Hong Kong universities are
overseas Hong Kong universities are great they are amazing but they only
great they are amazing but they only
great they are amazing but they only took on 18% of students in Hong Kong
took on 18% of students in Hong Kong
took on 18% of students in Hong Kong they are very much great base so if
they are very much great base so if
they are very much great base so if you’re not a natural-born academics you
you’re not a natural-born academics you
you’re not a natural-born academics you might not be able to pursue your dream
might not be able to pursue your dream
might not be able to pursue your dream overseas universities they’re looking a
overseas universities they’re looking a
overseas universities they’re looking a little bit more diverse aspects look as
little bit more diverse aspects look as
little bit more diverse aspects look as skills they look at your interest they
skills they look at your interest they
skills they look at your interest they looking at extracurricular activities
looking at extracurricular activities
looking at extracurricular activities and hopefully in some ways we can help
and hopefully in some ways we can help
and hopefully in some ways we can help some of our students pursue these
some of our students pursue these
some of our students pursue these options so what do we do this is just a
options so what do we do this is just a
options so what do we do this is just a case study that over one of our students
case study that over one of our students
case study that over one of our students the girl on the right is Rosemarie and
the girl on the right is Rosemarie and
the girl on the right is Rosemarie and she is she was an under resourced
she is she was an under resourced
she is she was an under resourced student high very under resourced so
student high very under resourced so
student high very under resourced so every step of the way of her education
every step of the way of her education
every step of the way of her education she actually funded herself through
she actually funded herself through
she actually funded herself through going for essay competitions and getting
going for essay competitions and getting
going for essay competitions and getting few thousand here a few thousand they’re
few thousand here a few thousand they’re
few thousand here a few thousand they’re funded by the government funded by
funded by the government funded by
funded by the government funded by school and and her her at that point she
school and and her her at that point she
school and and her her at that point she thought I’m good at writing I should
thought I’m good at writing I should
thought I’m good at writing I should really be a lawyer
really be a lawyer
really be a lawyer unfortunately because she is half
unfortunately because she is half
unfortunately because she is half African and half Chinese an ethnic
African and half Chinese an ethnic
African and half Chinese an ethnic minority her Chinese were scoring a 1 to
minority her Chinese were scoring a 1 to
minority her Chinese were scoring a 1 to 2 as you would know that would not
2 as you would know that would not
2 as you would know that would not qualify her for any subjects in Hong
qualify her for any subjects in Hong
qualify her for any subjects in Hong Kong so if she has stayed in Hong Kong
Kong so if she has stayed in Hong Kong
Kong so if she has stayed in Hong Kong and we hadn’t met her she would have not
and we hadn’t met her she would have not
and we hadn’t met her she would have not have got into any university and she
have got into any university and she
have got into any university and she would have just gone off and done
would have just gone off and done
would have just gone off and done something on her own before University
something on her own before University
something on her own before University so with her we helped her find her
so with her we helped her find her
so with her we helped her find her direction we put her through various
direction we put her through various
direction we put her through various work experiences not just law but also
work experiences not just law but also
work experiences not just law but also media advertising so she sees things
media advertising so she sees things
media advertising so she sees things beyond her imminent goal then she
beyond her imminent goal then she
beyond her imminent goal then she decided that actually I really like
decided that actually I really like
decided that actually I really like social sciences because I want to know
social sciences because I want to know
social sciences because I want to know how the world comes about because
how the world comes about because
how the world comes about because through media where she hosted a radio
through media where she hosted a radio
through media where she hosted a radio show she actually got real interest in
show she actually got real interest in
show she actually got real interest in sociology and anthropology and then we
sociology and anthropology and then we
sociology and anthropology and then we identified options for her
identified options for her
identified options for her with someone who could not have the
with someone who could not have the
with someone who could not have the right grades she would not be she would
right grades she would not be she would
right grades she would not be she would be penalized for the Hong Kong and even
be penalized for the Hong Kong and even
be penalized for the Hong Kong and even UK system but what about us
UK system but what about us
UK system but what about us she has interested in soccer
she has interested in soccer
she has interested in soccer collectivities she’s a great leader
collectivities she’s a great leader
collectivities she’s a great leader so we nurtured her in that sense we
so we nurtured her in that sense we
so we nurtured her in that sense we encouraged her to go for these essay
encouraged her to go for these essay
encouraged her to go for these essay competitions but not just writing random
competitions but not just writing random
competitions but not just writing random essays but going for international
essays but going for international
essays but going for international competitions writing about you know
competitions writing about you know
competitions writing about you know policy making about politics about
policy making about politics about
policy making about politics about sociology and anthropology but related
sociology and anthropology but related
sociology and anthropology but related to you know ethnic minorities in another
to you know ethnic minorities in another
to you know ethnic minorities in another in other countries and US loves this
in other countries and US loves this
in other countries and US loves this kind of diversity so she applied but got
kind of diversity so she applied but got
kind of diversity so she applied but got rejected by every single University and
rejected by every single University and
rejected by every single University and we thought something must be wrong in
we thought something must be wrong in
we thought something must be wrong in the process we worked with her on skills
the process we worked with her on skills
the process we worked with her on skills we worked any of you who have done SAT
we worked any of you who have done SAT
we worked any of you who have done SAT and all those ATAC TX Amma Nations would
and all those ATAC TX Amma Nations would
and all those ATAC TX Amma Nations would know it’s skill based is not knowledge
know it’s skill based is not knowledge
know it’s skill based is not knowledge based we worked with her on that so we
based we worked with her on that so we
based we worked with her on that so we were like what could have gone wrong so
were like what could have gone wrong so
were like what could have gone wrong so we went back and partnered with her
we went back and partnered with her
we went back and partnered with her school to look at her recommendation
school to look at her recommendation
school to look at her recommendation letter which was not written in the u.s.
letter which was not written in the u.s.
letter which was not written in the u.s. style so we soory redid that reapplied
style so we soory redid that reapplied
style so we soory redid that reapplied and she ended up getting into University
and she ended up getting into University
and she ended up getting into University of Chicago which as many of you would
of Chicago which as many of you would
of Chicago which as many of you would know is the top 5 US universities and
know is the top 5 US universities and
know is the top 5 US universities and she got a present
she got a present
she got a present your scholarship and she is now actually
your scholarship and she is now actually
your scholarship and she is now actually a case study for the university so for
a case study for the university so for
a case study for the university so for this student we did not just bridge her
this student we did not just bridge her
this student we did not just bridge her social mobility upwards within the
social mobility upwards within the
social mobility upwards within the society but we also bridged her from one
society but we also bridged her from one
society but we also bridged her from one context of what she was in to another
context of what she was in to another
context of what she was in to another context and she seamlessly transitioned
context and she seamlessly transitioned
context and she seamlessly transitioned because she had those skills that
because she had those skills that
because she had those skills that preparation and that aspiration to
preparation and that aspiration to
preparation and that aspiration to bridge the gap so what does this mean to
bridge the gap so what does this mean to
bridge the gap so what does this mean to you because you might not be under
you because you might not be under
you because you might not be under resourced you might not be had the same
resourced you might not be had the same
resourced you might not be had the same profile as her but after out of these
profile as her but after out of these
profile as her but after out of these three things I just want to focus on the
three things I just want to focus on the
three things I just want to focus on the first which is finding direction a lot
first which is finding direction a lot
first which is finding direction a lot of students say I’m only 16 17 how can I
of students say I’m only 16 17 how can I
of students say I’m only 16 17 how can I find direction number one identify what
find direction number one identify what
find direction number one identify what interests you it doesn’t have to be
interests you it doesn’t have to be
interests you it doesn’t have to be academic it could be extracurricular it
academic it could be extracurricular it
academic it could be extracurricular it could be video gaming okay video gaming
could be video gaming okay video gaming
could be video gaming okay video gaming I see a lot of knots there number two
I see a lot of knots there number two
I see a lot of knots there number two reflect what are the elements that you
reflect what are the elements that you
reflect what are the elements that you love in video gaming it’s just that
love in video gaming it’s just that
love in video gaming it’s just that we’re not in this physical motion also
we’re not in this physical motion also
we’re not in this physical motion also the strategy or is it you know the the
the strategy or is it you know the the
the strategy or is it you know the the the business part of it they can buy
the business part of it they can buy
the business part of it they can buy other people’s weapons etc okay and then
other people’s weapons etc okay and then
other people’s weapons etc okay and then thirdly relates the elements to real
thirdly relates the elements to real
thirdly relates the elements to real world okay and you might know you might
world okay and you might know you might
world okay and you might know you might say I don’t know what the real world is
say I don’t know what the real world is
say I don’t know what the real world is like well a lot of people do so go out
like well a lot of people do so go out
like well a lot of people do so go out and make connection be proactive go to
and make connection be proactive go to
and make connection be proactive go to education and career fairs and talk to
education and career fairs and talk to
education and career fairs and talk to people with experience research
people with experience research
people with experience research eliminates what you think is not
eliminates what you think is not
eliminates what you think is not something that’s of interest and then
something that’s of interest and then
something that’s of interest and then try to get some experience with this
try to get some experience with this
try to get some experience with this work or whether through summer programs
work or whether through summer programs
work or whether through summer programs or through talking to alumni so with
or through talking to alumni so with
or through talking to alumni so with that with that with that you know with
that with that with that you know with
that with that with that you know with that kind of mentality we helps a lot of
that kind of mentality we helps a lot of
that kind of mentality we helps a lot of students and the resource going to
students and the resource going to
students and the resource going to Cambridge and then this student is a
Cambridge and then this student is a
Cambridge and then this student is a dropout was kicked out of school and
dropout was kicked out of school and
dropout was kicked out of school and ended up getting to seven medical
ended up getting to seven medical
ended up getting to seven medical schools BSC student who otherwise are
schools BSC student who otherwise are
schools BSC student who otherwise are most people just think DSE you can’t do
most people just think DSE you can’t do
most people just think DSE you can’t do humanities going into history in
humanities going into history in
humanities going into history in politics at Oxford more under-resourced
politics at Oxford more under-resourced
politics at Oxford more under-resourced students and then more and more of these
students and then more and more of these
students and then more and more of these case studies so it’s been a really
case studies so it’s been a really
case studies so it’s been a really rewarding experience for us because we
rewarding experience for us because we
rewarding experience for us because we go back to our first mission and vision
go back to our first mission and vision
go back to our first mission and vision and we are helping students not tutoring
and we are helping students not tutoring
and we are helping students not tutoring not academics but really bridging the
not academics but really bridging the
not academics but really bridging the skills gap into real life and also
skills gap into real life and also
skills gap into real life and also bridging social mobility by offering the
bridging social mobility by offering the
bridging social mobility by offering the high quality service that you have seen
high quality service that you have seen
high quality service that you have seen a private sector and applying it to the
a private sector and applying it to the
a private sector and applying it to the public sector so with that time I shall
public sector so with that time I shall
public sector so with that time I shall conclude my presentation and I just want
conclude my presentation and I just want
conclude my presentation and I just want to leave all the students here with a
to leave all the students here with a
to leave all the students here with a few thoughts it’s really important that
few thoughts it’s really important that
few thoughts it’s really important that you really think one or two steps ahead
you really think one or two steps ahead
you really think one or two steps ahead and think about what really intrigues
and think about what really intrigues
and think about what really intrigues you what really interests you and pursue
you what really interests you and pursue
you what really interests you and pursue that interest make it a passion well if
that interest make it a passion well if
that interest make it a passion well if it becomes a passion you don’t have to
it becomes a passion you don’t have to
it becomes a passion you don’t have to make it a passion it will become a
make it a passion it will become a
make it a passion it will become a passion and hopefully you will then
passion and hopefully you will then
passion and hopefully you will then perform and Excel
perform and Excel
perform and Excel effortlessly because you love what you
effortlessly because you love what you
effortlessly because you love what you do thank you very much
”
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