Before our eyes, the streets are filled with students seeking paid internships or work experiences, yet willing to accept unpaid opportunities. Arriving with freshly printed CVs in their right hand, they are proudly displaying their end of year results in their left hand. These students openly express their desire to seek an opportunity that will empower them with the valuable experience that can only be obtained with the marriage of academic and hands-on learning.
Best described as, “diamonds in the rough” the lives of these students will be transformed as they take their first steps into the professional world. When we look closely, each of us will see a bit of “me” in each of “them”. We will remember our own fight and determination to succeed and the bridges we crossed to get to where we wanted to be if it took 5 years or 15. Some people say, “Praise the bridge that carries you over” and because of this we can remember that person(s) who provided to us one of many early opportunities, shared our CV with the right person or wrote that winning letter of reference.
Beyond memory, if we are in the position to do so, then each of must aspire to be that bridge for committed students in the summer of 2014 and all the summers to come.