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School: Graduate View
Number of Pupils in year: 55
Age Group: Year 5 and 6
Time: One Hour
Talk Skills: Listening, Speaking clearly, Expressing views and checking understanding
BT Volunteers: Elton D'Souza, Aine Corrigan, Jamie Olver, Kath Raffell, Glen Tooke and Sue Meader
Activities: Intro to communication skills, Human Photocopier, Muddles & Crystals
Club Leader Elton D'Souza writes ...
BT graduates are an excellent source of Volunteer recruits.
They benefit personally by:
- improving their presentation skills - practicing in front of a very enthusiastic and forgiving audience;
- expanding their personal networks across all the Lines of Business - particularly important given BT's commitment to remote working, which makes building a personal network from scratch a major challenge;
- experiencing BT's CSR policy in action - which helps understand and live the BT values;
- using and developing skills that make a real difference in their local community.
Graduates are now managed centrally by each directorate, so they could be targeted by the local Volunteer club that covers the area. Graduates also form their own communities of interest who meet and run audio conferences regularly. We should actively target these groups.
Two graduates who work with Elton are Aine Corrigan and Jamie Olver.
They introduce themselves as follows.
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Aine Corrigan
"I joined BT's graduate programme in September 2004 after graduating with a degree in Information Technology and Telecommunications from the University of Limerick, Ireland. My current job involves the design and development of IVR systems. I joined BT Volunteers because I wanted to get a more rounded view of BT, and a morning away form the office to visit a local school every so often is a welcome breath of fresh air, that helps me to focus on the bigger picture. I also felt that it would be fun and exciting to be involved with local schools and, in doing so, also develop skills that I never knew I had. During my free time I enjoy camogie, horse riding, cycling, walking my dog and playing the flute."
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Jamie Olver
"I graduated from Nottingham University in July 2002 with a degree in Electronic Engineering. I went on to work for a small company for 2 years before applying to BT, where I joined the graduate scheme in June 2004. Since then I have been working in the Client Pack Team, developing the BT Broadband Desktop Help client, which is delivered to every new BT broadband customer. I joined BT Volunteers, as I saw it as a new and exciting challenge. It was nothing like I had ever done before, therefore was an ideal opportunity to expand upon my skills, whilst putting something back into the community. My hobbies include keeping fit, swimming, and roller blading. I also have an interest in exotic animals, and have a pet tarantula."
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Aine Corrigan recounts her first outing with BT Volunteers
My first outing with BT volunteers brought back lots of memories; things that I never even thought about, like hearing the bell for morning assembly and breaks, being told where the cloak room was, and watching the teachers cast their magical spell over the children. It all had a strange but familiar feeling.
The teachers and other staff at the school were warm, helpful and very friendly throughout the morning. I watched as the pros/more experienced volunteers (Kath Raffell, Glen Tooke and Sue Meader) took the first class of years 5 and 6, and I was motivated by their confidence and support to take part in the second class of years 3 and 4. No matter now much I prepared myself for the trip into the school, I was still surprised at how excited the children were to have us, and how enthusiastic they were to take part in all activities and try to answer whatever question we asked them. I really enjoyed the games and taking part.
The teachers' feedback was very positive and, from the Principal's comments afterwards, the children really enjoyed it also. I got a tremendous sense of well being and pride from the visit., I was proud of myself for being able to help out and take part in the games, and I was also proud of BT for supporting a tremendously worthwhile activity like BT Volunteers.
The only question that I have after my first day out is, why are more people not doing this.
Summary and Feedback
The BT Volunteers opportunity is beneficial to everyone involved. It is obvious that it provides both a stimulating and rewarding experience for BT people. Most importantly, it is not a difficult activity to be involved with as it is supported by the company.
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