A lot has changed over the past month. And with schools closed and regular lessons stalled, it can feel quite challenging to decide your next steps.
But your future shouldn't have to wait for everything to return to normal. At Springpod, we've always wanted to give you as many insights and resources as possible, in order to help you make more informed decisions about your future. And Learn Lounge, our new and free online careers education initiative, is part of that commitment to you.
During the first week of Learn Lounge, we heard from an incredibly diverse group of professionals and inspiring individuals, who took us through their career journeys, shared the important lessons learned and even gave us some tips on some of the pitfalls to watch out for when getting started in a career. We've wrapped up some of the key messages from each of our speakers, ready for you to explore further:
Ann Daniels
Record-breaking Polar Explorer
Ann took us on a wild journey across arctic tundras, as she shared what it was like to be part of the first all-female expedition to traverse the antarctic, and the life-changing experiences that happen when you just say yes. With no previous experience (at all!) Ann discovered more than how cold it gets at the North Pole. She discovered her passion in life. Ann left us with some amazing messages including If you start with ‘I can’t do this and I can’t do that’ then you’re right - you can’t. You have to believe in yourself.
Have the courage to go for your dreams, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it; BUT be prepared - it will take hard Ann Daniels
Watch Ann’s Learn Lounge talk here: Pure Grit: Achieve Whatever You Set Your Mind On
Rob Eastaway
Bestselling Author & Maths Expert
Bestselling author Rob Eastaway's infectious enthusiasm for maths left us all scratching our heads in delight with his excellent challenges (we’re still trying to find the most squares in the Diffy Challenge!). Rob also helped us better understand the playful side of maths and that it doesn’t end with what we’re taught in the classroom. We highly recommend checking out some of his popular books.
Watch Rob’s Learn Lounge talk here: Game of Maths: Do The Diffy Challenge
Simon Esner
Director at WSH Ltd, and Founder of Uncommon Sense
Simon taught us the importance of ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’. He says becoming his own boss was terrifying but was the first step into an incredibly successful and rewarding career. The people you chose to surround yourself with are crucial for success. Simon’s advice is to make sure you do your due diligence and that those you work with have the right personal values that align with your own.
Simon used his experiences - good and bad - to help shape how he wanted to show up at work, and sees these lessons as truly valuable for leading him to further success.
“I look back and say ‘I’m so pleased that happened’ as it led me to the next part of my incredible journey.” Simon Esner
Rewatch Simon’s Learn Lounge talk here: How To Build A Billion-Pound Business
Thomas McCumiskey
Information Architect and Director at Woodmynd Consulting
Thomas took us through his perseverance in doing all the things he thought were the ‘right’ things to do, only to find that it was the things he couldn’t have planned for that ultimately led him to the fulfilling career he has today. Crafting your own path means taking the time to listen to what it is that really drives you, thinking about the things you find yourself doing that don’t feel like ‘learning’, and putting them together with the question ‘what problem can I solve with these skills?’
Have a plan and then forget the plan! Thomas McCumiskey
Watch Thomas’ Learn Lounge talk here: Drop Out: How To Find Your Own Path In Life
Mark Warburton
Football Manager, Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Mark talked us through the hard work, persistence, and resilience it took to transform a long and highly successful career as a financial city trader, to become an equally successful football manager for some of the biggest clubs in the UK. Mark taught us the power of persistence and perseverance and knowing if there’s a passion burning brightly inside you, you have to put the work in to pursue it.
‘You only live once in life’ and it’s never too late to go after your dreams are our favourite messages from Mark's talk
“To pursue your passion you’ve got to give yourself the best chance of success. Whatever your passion is, give yourself the best chance by learning your subject.” Mark Warburton
Watch Mark’s Learn Lounge talk here: From City Trader To Football Manager: A Story Of Two Halves
Paul Robinson
Former Professional Football Player
‘The harder I practice, the luckier I seem to get’ is a quote Paul proved to us he lives by in his incredible career journey, talking us through the determination and commitment it took to realise his dream of becoming a professional footballer. In a world where instant success seems to be the goal, Paul believes that true success comes from putting in the hard work.
He says it's about committing to and mastering something 100%, and being able to give back and bring value through your hard work.It’s important to have goals, dream big, and aim for the top, but it’s also important to use the resources available to you to help set and achieve your goals.
Watch Paul’s Learn Lounge talk here: Football Fantasy: How I Went Direct From School Into Professional Football
Emmanuel Asuquo
TV Host & Financial Advisor, Channel 4
Emmanuel speaks to us about the real value of financial education. He advises it’s all good to make money, but you also need to understand how it works and how to use it wisely. When it comes to your finances, it’s important to distinguish between what you want and what you need. For Emmanuel, wealth is not just the money you make but it’s how much you invest back into yourself.
It’s important to see yourself as an asset that you give back to, by learning and developing skills, finding your passion, and educating yourself. By becoming a master at your goals, by putting in the effort and energy, Emmanuel says you can make them come true.
“Whatever it is you want to do: Give more energy to your dreams than you do to your fears, and make your dreams come true.” Emmanuel Asuquo
Watch Emmanuel’s Learn Lounge talk here: Money Talks: How To Save To Spend On What You Want
Monique Choudhuri
Board Member, Brentford FC & Women In Football
From finance and analysis to marketing and communications, social media, and community engagement - after Monique’s talk you’ll be more than aware it’s about so much more than kicking a ball around a pitch! Understanding your personal brand - how you see yourself and how others see yourself - is important for your career. Looking at the gap in the middle between these two questions can help you develop your career. According to Monique, passion for your sector and knowing your personal brand are two key elements for professional success.
Watch Monique’s Learn Lounge talk here: Rise Up: How To Be The Best You Can Be
Suffice to say, it's been an exciting week one for Learn Lounge with all these fantastic gold nuggets of advice and insights from some brilliant names across different industries! If you've already caught these talks live, here's a big thank you from us.
And for the others, these talks are ready to watch On Demand and include the full talks plus in-depth Q&A where our speakers answer all your burning questions. Be sure to check them out via the links above or head to our On-Demand Library.
Don’t Miss Out!
For week two, we’ll be hearing from even more incredible individuals, and the list keeps growing! Learn Lounge has free virtual career talks and lessons scheduled every day. So we recommend that you check our Learn Lounge schedule here, and reserve your place for the sessions that you're interested in.
