A typical day for me starts
around 5am where I begin my day by reading or learning German, then
I go for a wee walk with my lovely dog Ninook, grab a healthy
breakfast and commute the 20 minutes from my front door to the
office, the train station or to the airport if meeting with
colleagues further afield.
I started my working life in
Mumbai, then worked in the Czech Republic, Middle East and South
Asia before making Glasgow my home, so I know first-hand that
building relationships and finding new opportunities to learn and
grow is essential to succeeding in the world of work. But what if a
young person doesn't have opportunities to meet individuals who
work in insurance, technology, financial services, digital,
manufacturing or any other sector in which they'd like to work?
That's where the EY Foundation steps in. Working with our partners
and associates we can open doors, encourage and support young
people to reach their full potential and achieve their
ambitions.
In my role as Programme Lead
for Scotland for the EY Foundation, I work with a team of
professionals who support young people, building their confidence
and skills as they transition from school to work. We identify
pathways for meaningful paid work experience, find mentors, run
development programmes which provide core employability skills, and
introduce the right employers to the right young people. An example
is the Foundation's Smart Futures programme which offers paid work
experience to S5 pupils. It runs for three weeks over the Summer
holidays and gives each young person a mentor for ten
months.
My job is very rewarding and
it's a privilege to work with such a diverse group of people, from
the 16 - 19 year olds in Glasgow and Edinburgh to the senior
decision makers in organisations employing thousands of people
world-wide.
The view from my
8th floor office at the EY Foundation's Scottish hub
headquarters in Glasgow is inspiring, especially when the sun comes
out. The stunning architecture; the new City of Glasgow College
building, the historic City Chambers, the bright pink 'People Make
Glasgow' sign and George Square below bustling with students and
commuters, are a constant reminder of the vibrant spirit of this
city. It fills me and the young people who visit to attend our
workshops and seminars with high hopes for the future. If you'd
like to share our high hopes by getting involved with the EY
Foundation then I'd love to hear from you.
Visit the
EY Foundation website to discover more about
their work across Scotland and connect directly with
Promilla via LinkedIn.
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