Shanghai Sunrise Hosts CareerStart Program For Underprivileged Youth in Need
SHANGHAI, Wednesday 18 July 2018 – Over 30 underprivileged youth from Shanghai Sunrise’s student sponsorship program joined the launch of the charity’s CareerStart program on Saturday, 14 July 2018. Coinciding with World Youth Skills Day, CareerStart is Shanghai Sunrise’s annual workforce readiness program that provides practical training and information about getting that first job and developing the skills needed to thrive within it.
The launch event took place at the NGO Lotus Center in Shanghai and included a series of talks by professionals across a range of industries. Speakers from LiLang Consulting, Linklaters LLP, Henkel, Hays Recruitment and Homeslice Pizza volunteered their time to attend on the day and offer their insights and advice. Talks covered such topics as workplace etiquette, how to communicate effectively, the importance of internships and interview tips and advice. Each was designed to help young students gain confidence in themselves as they take their first steps toward entering the workforce, giving them the tools that they need to launch their careers after graduation.
Following the talks, students were given the opportunity to participate in a CV-Writing Workshop, hosted by professional recruitment consultants from Hays Recruitment. The coaching session offered one-on-one advice and guidance to assist students in preparing or polishing their CVs.
Throughout the event, representatives from some of Shanghai’s leading businesses were on-hand to interact with students at an Internship Corner. Companies including Visteon, Bartra Wealth Advisors, Henkel and Hays Recruitment participated in the corner. Representatives engaged with students to introduce them to their internship programs and help them understand how they can get involved.
The day concluded with an ‘Alumni Spotlight’ breakout session, in which students were split into groups guided by former Shanghai Sunrise students. This session provided students with an opportunity to interact with young adults who had experienced similar circumstances to their own and had used their education to overcome adversity and create a brighter future for themselves. Students were able to chat freely with these former students and be inspired and motivated by their stories.
During the event, each student enjoyed a special lunch kindly donated by Homeslice Pizza and received a “First Job Kit” donated and assembled by volunteers from Bartra Wealth Advisors. The kits were filled with work essentials, including stationery kits, USB sticks and a CareerStart directory of online resources. Kits also included a motivational quote and a handwritten letter to each student by the volunteers, to inspire them as they take their first steps into the workforce.
Amber Aldred, Executive Director of Shanghai Sunrise commented, “The success of CareerStart is a result of the hard work, compassion and generosity of our corporate partners. It is a privilege to partner with these organizations in the work we do together. We at Shanghai Sunrise are touched by the continued dedication of our partners to empowering young people through education.” She continued, “My heartfelt thanks also goes to all the volunteers that planned, coordinated and managed this event. As a volunteer-led organization, we rely on the kindness and dedication of those individuals who so generously donate their time to help us create a brighter future for the underprivileged young people in our program.”
Following the launch event, CareerStart will continue over the next month with a series of ‘Discovery Expeditions’. Through these expeditions, Shanghai Sunrise students will have the opportunity to visit the premises of a range of different organizations to enhance their understanding of working life and different career opportunities. Each expedition will offer guided tours alongside short talks and workshops by various staff in different roles and departments. Expeditions will be hosted by Dulwich College, Hermes- OTTO, Visteon and JiaHui Health. The goal of these visits is to provide exposure and broaden horizons, so that Shanghai Sunrise students may better understand the opportunities open to them as they begin their careers.
For more information or to request high resolution photography, please email the Shanghai Sunrise team at marketing@shanghaisunrise.com.
