On Thursday, June 20, 2024, Gavin Kamara, a senior manager at the financial group CMC, visited Prendergast Ladywell School to share his career journey and inspire 180 students aged 12-13 years.
Raised in a single-parent family in Deptford, Lewisham, Gavin struggled academically in primary school and was labeled as an underachiever. However, with the help of his teacher, Ms. Bygrave, and mentoring support from Urban Synergy, Gavin was able to break through these assumptions and achieve academic success.
During his visit, Gavin spoke about the importance of essential skills such as communication, problem-solving, adaptability, teamwork, time management, being personable, leadership, and critical thinking. He also emphasized the value of having a positive mindset and the ability to overcome challenges.
Gavin’s journey resonated with the students at Prendergast Ladywell School, with 99% of them reporting that they learned about a new career pathway and 100% agreeing that they learned about skills valued in the workplace. One student said, “It was good – it helped me to think about skills needed when it’s time for me to get a job.”
Gavin’s success story serves as a testament to the power of determination and hard work. He left the students with these words of wisdom, “It’s not how you start that counts, but how you finish that matters.”
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.