Telling Your Story
Talking about your career
As an Ambassador, you are an important source of information about career pathways. Here are some of the key points that students, teachers and careers advisors will be interested in:
- Your name, your company, and your job title
- A brief description of what you do
- Why you enjoy your work
- Interesting projects that you have been involved in
- How you use maths, science, and technology in your work
- A bit about your education pathway - subjects you’ve studied, where you went to university, etc.
- Big triumphs you’ve achieved, and big challenges you’ve faced.
Key messages
Futureintech has three key messages for students. Each is aimed for a different age group but can also apply to all levels:
- Maths, science and technology are fun. They involve hands-on activities and let students use their imaginations. (Primary)
- Maths, science and technology are relevant to what professionals do in their jobs. What students are learning now are things that Ambassadors use at work every day. (Intermediate/Junior secondary)
- Maths, science and technology can lead to specific education pathways at the tertiary level, which then lead to rewarding careers in technology, engineering and science. (Senior secondary)
Good storytelling
The most effective way to get your message across is to use storytelling. Here are some pointers to keep in mind when you’re telling students about your career.
- Using a story to illustrate your point is easier than
memorising information. You’re more likely to remember it, and students will be more likely to pay attention. - Personal stories are best. Talk about experiences you’ve had during your career – either great successes or noteworthy mistakes. Examples from your colleagues or stories you’ve read about in the news can also work.
- A good story usually involves some kind of transformation – like an experience you had that taught you a lesson, or your manager changing his or her mind after hearing your input.
- Make sure your story is relevant to the subject you’re discussing and appropriate to the occasion. Adjust your storytelling style to suit the age of your audience.
- Make your characters come alive by mentioning things like what they look like, how they dress and how they talk. It will make the story – and the point you’re making– more memorable for the students.
- Include a call to action at the end that addresses the issues of your presentation – like encouraging students to stick with maths in school, or talking about the importance of recycling.