Former UN Youth Ambassador for Australia, Daniel Ryan, is among hundreds of community-minded professionals and business people who are supporting the revamped Speakers in Schools program in South Australia.
Sponsored by Flinders University’s Student Access Unit, the program will involve up to 600 speakers available to speak to upper primary and secondary students about career and study pathways in a wide range of industries.
“The first-hand experiences, and practical input, is relevant and meaningful to students and teachers, particularly for curriculum-based topics,” says Adelaide businessman Phil Ransome, chairman of not-for-profit group Schools in Business which leads the program.
“Led by industry and corporate leaders, we find our Speakers in Schools program enables direct and tangible partnerships between the education sectors and SA businesses,” he said.
South Australian marketing graduate Dan Ryan, who is now MBA recruitment manager at Oxford University’s Said Business School in England, returns to the program from his base in England where he can talk about his experiences via Skype or when visiting Adelaide from time to time.
He said his previous experience in high school presentations improved his public speaking skills
Like his sister, Flinders Health and International Development student Tabitha Ryan, he wants to share his passion for social impact and careers that “make a difference’ in the world.
“I like to inspire South Australian students to have a vision of making a difference through career choices,” Dan says.
“I tell stories of my own personal experiences, and my travels in developing countries, to show that perseverance and confidence can help make a difference in your life and for others.”
In almost 10 years to 2013, the volunteer Speakers in Schools program involved more than 34,000 students across metropolitan and regional South Australia.
Supported by the Department for Education and Child Development, the program’s relaunch will be marked at a special event at Flinders University at Tonsley this week