Uploaded November 20th, 2017
Our why’ is a letter series written by members of our team, it illustrates our journey at Generation Entrepreneur, and our hopes for the future.
We hope it provides insights into why we do what we do, and why we care.
My story with Generation Entrepreneur:
Dear friends,
My HSC year was a very dark time for me. Anyone that knew me personally would have heard or known that all I did was study day in and day out, neglecting my family, friends and loved ones just so I could acquire the highest 4 digit number. There were many instances where I couldn’t sleep the night before an exam due to how high my anxiety levels were. I was only one of the many thousands of students that experiences this and after finishing HSC, I realised that in hindsight these marks served very little value. Till this day I question,
“Why do we go through this journey if it’s not an accurate representation of one’s capacity?”
Putting all my eggs in one basket left me very lost in terms of my overall direction in life and having cut off many of my friend circles didn’t help either.
One day, I was scrolling mindlessly on FB and was sent an invitation to attend an event called “Initiate 48.” Having nothing better to do, I went. The frightening part was that at first, I didn’t know anyone. However, over the course of this weekend, I had met so many awesome people. They showed me that there are truly so many different ways to be successful and live your life rather than the path that society sets out for you. Despite your young age, you’re as capable as someone twice or even three times older than you.
Fast forward 2 years from then and here we are now. Generation Entrepreneur has been a pivot in my life in terms of both providing guidance and empowerment through an Entrepreneurial Spirit, which reignited my love for learning and growing. The reason why I’ve been here for such a long time is that I aim to empower all young people and really show everyone that they have great potential. Traditional education shouldn’t define your self-worth, only you do.
—
Mathew Wong, 20,
Human Resources Director.
Dear Reader,
Leading the Marketing team has been the perfect way to keep up my hobbies while contributing to the future of Education in an innovative and exciting way.
“Coming together is the beginning”
To me, Gen E means a lot of different things. There is so much power in the words ‘Generation Entrepreneur’. It is inclusive, empowering and carries a great deal of purpose in the way young people view themselves and their capabilities. I am proud to be working alongside individuals as young as 15 years old, who have each made the mature decision to dedicate some time of their week to a cause they are passionate about and where they can really make a difference. I have so much to take away from these kids who work with purpose and enthusiasm; qualities I find truly admirable of my team.
“Keeping together is progress”
Gen E has also taught me many new things. Leading new initiatives and being a part of Generation Entrepreneur has helped shape my World View — from how I view issues to doing my part in driving a solution. I have been exposed to social issues, industries and occupations I never knew existed and this has greatly influenced the way I see my future and what I’d like to do in my life. My role allows me to guide, experiment, teach and most importantly learn and keep learning.
“Working together is success”
Finally, Gen E has proved to me the power of young people. Listening to kids at our Kids Business Workshop tell me about how they plan to use Big Data and AI to solve global warming (while questionable, this is definitely plausible!) uncovered the true potential of what we do. Programs like Initiate 48 provide a platform for kids to play around with these ideas — while they are big ideas, this is exactly the kind of exposure and continued support the next generation needs. This is why I do what I do — it’s to see kids develop independence and confidence in sharing their ideas and contributing to the betterment of their world.
I have so much love for my team and the organisation. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my 2 cents — I hope that you’re as excited for the next generation as I am!
—
Ilasha, 20,
Marketing Director.
Mr Andrew Snowpot + Eyelash Ilasha!
Hello,
When someone asks me “why Gen E?” or “why Entrepreneurship?”, I like to take them on a journey. It goes back to a time when I hated the word ‘careers’. It stirred a rotten smell in my high schooler mind from all of its disembodied talk and fluff. At this point, I didn’t realise that ‘careers’ were simply the work you do to achieve your goals. My career teacher once proclaimed that the only way to become a billionaire was to be an entrepreneur. However, I soon realised that this word, which was difficult to spell, meant so much more than any money measured career path.
The power of entrepreneurship became evident as I encountered Generation Entrepreneur. By chance, I was forced to experience the true realities of what it meant to be an entrepreneur. You weren’t just making a business or money. Instead, you were undertaking one of the greatest intellectually, mentally and emotionally challenging endeavours you can do. It meant challenging yourself by tackling your weaknesses, expanding and focusing your efforts, and ultimately uncovering what it is that drives you.
The truth, in the end, is that entrepreneurship can bring someone to be something greater than themselves.
My experience with Generation Entrepreneur helped opened up this new perspective of work which has allowed me to grow in ways I never thought were possible in high school.
—
Andrew Gorga, 18,
Operations Intern.
Initiate 48 July 2017!
