One thing I love about my job is how it provides unfettered opportunity to give back, with dedicated time (and a measurable objective) to undertake pro-bono activities that help others in need of: expertise, coaching or plain graft, on a wide variety of projects, charitable causes, or development initiatives.
For example, I regularly get to participate in pro-bono advisory clinics as part of our architects’ community monthly knowledge share day. This enables us to assist organisations and people with whom we might otherwise never come in contact.
Also, I’ve had opportunity to participate, as Chair, Speaker and Mentor at a BCS Entrepreneurs event about the role and value of Intellectual Property for Start-ups and entrepreneurs, and some colleagues have spent days in places like Kenya, Israel or Vietnam doing volunteer work. Finally, last week, we hosted some year 12 students for a day's work experience at Salesforce. Did I mention the wide variety of activities involved?
This latter activity was particularly interesting because it involved the Monmouth Enterprise Initiative, which gives seventy selected students from across the country an opportunity to spend time with leading technology firms and IT departments. This year, 10 host companies including: Deloitte, Unilever Fujitsu, Salesforce and Thompson Reuters, each hosted 7 or 8 students for a days work experience. This 2 day event was organised by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, in association with the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, to expose students to potential careers in technology in the City. The Monmouth Enterprise Initiative came about thanks to a very generous gift from Lord Ezra, an Old Boy of Haberdashers’ Monmouth School, and is also kindly supported by the Haberdashers’ Livery Company.
Our work experience day consisted of: various sessions (e.g. employability skills, CV clinics and interactive career trade shows), as well as some hands-on training (on Salesforce Trailhead), and a tour of the Salesforce Tower.
This day-in-the-life style immersion in the Salesforce Ohana culture provided the students with a clear taste of what life is like to work in the City with one of the fastest growing software companies in the world. Judging by the level of engagement and their grasp of key concepts, this particular group of digital natives, posing as students, inspire me to believe that the future of our industry is in very capable hands. Heck, one of the students has setup and runs a 3D printing business!
Huge thanks to the amazing students, our team of dedicated Salesforce volunteers, and the Worshipful Companies of Haberdashers and Information Technologists, for making the day possible. Mahalo!
Find out more about careers at Salesforce, and perhaps you could one day be joining the #SalesforceOhana.
