STUDENT RESOURCE
ESSENTIAL SKILLS Gatsby Benchmarks 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
VIRTUAL WORK EXPERIENCE
WHY AIMING HIGH IS AN ESSENTIAL SKILL FOR SUCCESS
Josh Wakefield ’ s summer internship at bp eventually led to his current role as a trading operator in sustainability . Here , he explains how aiming high , and having a distinct focus at every stage of his career journey , helped him to achieve his goals .
The first thing I ’ d like readers to understand ( especially younger readers ) is that aiming high is something that anybody can do . You don ’ t need specific qualifications , you ’ re not required to be a certain age , and you don ’ t need a particular background . So , what ’ s stopping you from aiming high ?
According to the Skills Builder Universal Framework , aiming high is “ the ability to set clear , tangible goals and devise a robust route to achieving them ”.
I ’ d say that it isn ’ t necessarily planning to be in the job at the top of the tree . Aiming high could refer to anything in life ; it may just mean pushing for the best possible outcome in the situation you are in . I believe aiming high means looking ahead , setting reasonable expectations , and planning in small steps how you are going to reach your goal . Aiming for the top seems like a big distance to cover , but if you identify the individual steps that will get you to that level , the journey suddenly doesn ’ t seem so challenging .
Playing to my strengths
So how did I arrive at bp ? Throughout school , there was a real push to look towards university , but even when I was 15 or 16 , I knew this wasn ’ t the route I was interested in . Not because I didn ’ t think it would be enjoyable , but because I knew it wouldn ’ t have played to my strengths . I was heavily invested in getting into the world of work as quickly as possible . This was the first of many aims .
While completing my Business and Economics course at college , I was introduced to Career Ready — a charity that prepares pupils for the world of work by providing a mentor from business to run masterclasses related to employability . This process culminates in students completing a four-to six-week summer internship at a multinational corporation .
You have to apply for the programme ; placements are not just given to pupils . My application involved an interview to discuss why I wanted to be on the scheme and my key areas of interest ; this helps Career Ready to identify a suitable placement for each individual . I saw this as an important opportunity for work experience , so my aim shifted to completing schoolwork and achieving a placement on the scheme .
After getting onto the programme , you are paired with a mentor for 12 months ; they are there to share their experiences of work and provide helpful advice . My mentor was from investment bank Morgan Stanley and I was fortunate to be selected to join bp for a paid six-week summer internship .
I consider aiming high to be partly a state of mind . Anyone can aim high ; you just need to trust in your ability and focus on the plan to reach your goals
Making a positive impression
Coming into the internship , I knew it was extremely important to make a good impression . This ranged from arriving 15-20 minutes early every day and dressing appropriately to paying attention in meetings and making sure I was always listening . These things may sound obvious , but you would be surprised how big an impact they make in the workplace , especially as a 16- or 17-year-old . My aim was to be remembered by bp .
I left the internship having learned about the different jobs that existed and about the school leaver programme into bp . I enjoyed the atmosphere , culture and the work I ’ d shadowed . I ’ d made it clear throughout my internship that I was interested in returning to work for bp full time .
Unfortunately , I didn ’ t make it onto the school leaver programme – but that leads me to share another key skill : not giving up . I could have let this setback deter me from pursuing a career at bp and looked elsewhere . But I ’ d received positive feedback from my internship and was determined to continue . My aim shifted to becoming employed by bp .
Half a year passed , and I received a call from a manager at bp . They told me there was a potential opportunity , and that due to my positive performance throughout my internship , they were interested in bringing me in for an interview . This demonstrates how important first impressions and networking can be ; without having put effort into both of these , this opportunity would not have come up for me . My aim at this point was to prepare for an interview at bp and to impress the interviewers .
Always learning
I was successful in the job interview , joining bp as an operations co-ordinator . The learning curve was extremely steep . I had a lot to learn coming into the trading and operations environment , but I was always thinking ahead and setting goals . What was it that I wanted to work towards ? What was I aiming for ?
Currently , I work as a sustainability trading operator on bp ’ s trading floor and am responsible for the valuable sustainability documentation that accompanies physical deliveries before it is blended into petrol . I learn daily about the different feedstocks and materials that can be used within the petrol blend to increase its greenhouse gas emission saving ; and how production plants are using carbon capture technology to become net zero with regard to their product production . With people across the world striving for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly life , I am proud to work within bp ’ s sustainability department , which is at the forefront of this change .
One of the first things I learned in the world of work is that things don ’ t always go the way you want them to ; you ’ ll need to adapt to new situations
So what do we mean by aiming high ?
We asked Josh to explain what he means by aiming high — and how we can all adopt this core transferable skill .
What is your definition of aiming high ?
I consider aiming high to be partly a state of mind . Anyone can aim high ; you just need to trust in your ability , and focus on the plan to reach your goals . It ’ s important always to be looking ahead and asking “ how can I better myself ? How can I help others around me ?” Never become complacent ; keep thinking about what the future could hold for your talent .
So what is the difference between aiming high and being unrealistic in your expectations and ambitions ?
Personally , I believe anything is achievable in life , as long as you are willing to put in the hard work . If your ambitions seem a lifetime away , plan in small steps for how you can get there . The internet is a wealth of knowledge , enabling you to map out your route and research others who have followed a similar path . Doing this makes the journey seem a lot less daunting and much more attainable . Don ’ t worry if the plan doesn ’ t progress as expected . One of the first things I learned in the world of work is that things don ’ t always go the way you want them to ; you ’ ll need to adapt to new situations .
How can young people develop and hone this skill in everyday life ?
I ’ d suggest beginning by setting a small goal and executing a plan for achieving it in any area of your life — whether that ’ s breaking down an essay into smaller pieces in order to complete it , or developing a gym workout to improve your fitness . I feel I was subconsciously practising this skill throughout my education and private life , but it ’ s only when I look back now that I can see what I was doing .
What are the key benefits of aiming high ?
For me , it allows some sort of structure for getting to the places I want to reach . Identifying a five-year goal , for example , and breaking it down into yearly targets — or even six-month segments – gives short , sharp and ( most importantly ) attainable objectives to push towards . Second , I find it motivating . When you accomplish one of these short-term goals , it gives you a sense of achievement . It encourages you to continue to pursue your goal as you are one step closer to that higher aim .
Did aiming high come naturally to you or did you need to develop this attitude consciously ?
I feel this skill came naturally to me and it ’ s only now , looking back , I can identify that I was aiming high throughout school and from the start of my working life . At the time , though , I thought I was just providing a level of structure to my future rather than specifically aiming high . But if it doesn ’ t come naturally , you can develop it with practice .
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ABOUT BP
Operating in 78 countries , bp delivers heat , light and mobility products and services to people around the world in ways that help to drive the transition to a lower-carbon future . bp . com / careers