Drogheda & District Chamber Spotlight - Anne Mangan Educational Consultant & Coach
1. Where did the idea come from?
Working in higher education, I became aware of the challenges that young people face as they transition from secondary school into higher education. Uninformed course choices; lack of prepared for college life; lack of understanding of suitable alternatives to higher education, are but some of the reasons contributing to the consistently high college dropout rates. Parents are expected to fulfil the role of supporting their teenagers through this transition but with no training or support. A large gap has appeared between where young people are at when leaving school and where they need to be to survive and thrive in the new world of work.
2. What do you think has been your biggest achievement with the business?
Differentiating myself and my approach to supporting teenagers. Drawing on my background in educating healthcare professionals, I see the importance of supporting teenagers become independent learners, capable of making their own decisions. I never tell them what they should do. Instead,I help them view their first career decision as a project. I provide the structure and hold their hand as they develop the knowledge and skills they need to figure out what they want to do after finishing school and how to go about it.
3. What’s next for the business in Drogheda
I want my business to have real and sustainable impact on young people in the Drogheda area. I’m taking a dual approach - building my practicevia word-of-mouth referral, while exploring how best to support teenagers and parents within the community.
4. What is the best piece of business advice that you have ever been given?
The best piece of business advice that comes to mind is being clear about my goal, ensuring that it is a big goal, something that I haven’t done before and is therefore scary. What I particularly like about it is that the HOW can manifest in many ways. My job is to explore the options, see what fits and what comes easy. This links with one of my favourite quotes from Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People ‘begin with the end in mind’.
5. What are your aspirations for the business in the long term?
To become a social enterprise embedding community-based career development for young people throughout the country.