Michael Woan’s Post

8 months in: University Degree + Chartered Management Apprenticeship – and the lessons keep coming! 🚀 Here’s what I’ve learned so far: 1. My GCSEs are officially ancient history 📜 – Turns out, they aren’t helping much now. Luckily, I have an English teacher as a husband, so grammar checks are sorted! 2. Time management is an Olympic sport 🏅 – Juggling full-time work, studying, and maintaining a social life? It’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube with one hand! Organisation and self-discipline have become my best friends (but I’m still figuring it out, one day at a time). 3. Face-to-face learning is my jam 🎓 – Online classes? Not so much. I thrive in person, where engagement feels real, and my attention doesn’t wander off. 4. Networking is gold 💼 – Whether it’s through classes, apprenticeships, or work, I’ve realised the power of expanding my network. You never know when a new connection will unlock a future opportunity. 5. Feedback is fuel 🔥 – Constructive feedback, whether from peers or mentors, has been crucial. It’s helping me refine my skills and think more strategically about my career path. 6. Adaptability is everything 🌍 – Balancing work, study, and life has taught me to stay flexible. Plans change, things go wrong, but learning to adapt has been a major win. Through all of this, the most rewarding part has been seeing how these experiences are shaping my future in tangible ways. I’m not just learning theory—I’m applying real, hands-on skills that are directly relevant to my career. Each challenge, whether it’s balancing time, receiving feedback, or adapting to new situations, is pushing me out of my comfort zone. And that’s where the real growth is happening. I’ve discovered that discomfort isn’t something to avoid; it’s actually the spark for development and innovation. I’m honing my ability to adapt, manage multiple priorities, and lead with resilience, all of which are essential. What excites me most is that this is just the beginning. The skills I’m building now—critical thinking, communication, time management, and leadership—are setting the foundation for continuous growth. It’s thrilling to think about how these lessons will fuel my future and the opportunities that lie ahead! Onward and upward! 🚀 #LifelongLearning #GrowthMindset #CareerDevelopment

🌟 National Skills Week: Looking Forward to Next Year 🌟 This week is National Skills Week, and it's a great time to think about where you want to be this time next year. What goals do you have in mind? What achievements do you envision? And most importantly, what skills will you need to make that happen? At Asset College (RTO 31718), we've spent 18 years helping people identify the skills they need to reach their next milestone. Whether you're looking to upskill, change careers, or simply stay ahead in your current role, we’re here to support your journey. This week, take a moment to assess your skills and consider what you’ll need to succeed in the year ahead. Investing in yourself today is the first step toward the future you want to create. Your future is built on the skills you develop now. Where will you be this time next year? #NationalSkillsWeek #FutureFocused #SkillsForSuccess #AssetCollege #CareerDevelopment

🚀 Excited to share my insights on the 7 mistakes students make every year and the invaluable lessons I've learned along the way! 📚 1️⃣ Not learning how to learn: It's not just about memorizing facts; it's about understanding concepts, developing critical thinking skills, and adapting to different learning styles. Embracing diverse learning methods has transformed my approach to education. 2️⃣ Thinking of studying as a single-player game: Collaboration and communication are key. Engaging with peers, joining study groups, and seeking mentorship have enhanced my learning experience exponentially. Together, we can achieve far more than alone. 3️⃣ Cramming for deadlines: Procrastination often leads to stress and subpar results. Implementing effective time management strategies and breaking tasks into manageable chunks have helped me stay organized and focused, ultimately improving my academic performance. 4️⃣ Narrowing career choices based on degree: Your degree doesn't limit your options; it expands them. Exploring diverse career paths, gaining practical experience through internships and volunteering, and networking with professionals have broadened my horizons and enriched my career prospects. 5️⃣ Squandering enormous amounts of free time: Time is our most precious resource. Investing in personal growth, pursuing hobbies and passions, and seizing opportunities for self-improvement have not only enriched my life but also complemented my academic journey. 6️⃣ Not realizing the value of health: Physical and mental well-being are fundamental to success. Prioritizing self-care, maintaining a balanced lifestyle, and seeking support when needed have empowered me to thrive academically and personally. 7️⃣ Having a rigid mindset about life and career: Flexibility and adaptability are essential in today's dynamic world. Embracing change, embracing new challenges, and continuously learning and evolving have enabled me to navigate uncertainty with confidence and resilience. Follow Swapnil Das for such more valuable insights 🙌🏻 #student #lifelessons #growthmindset #studentsuccess #mistakes #college #degree #skills #linkedin

Top 🔟 learnings of my job hunt as an International Student! (Long post ahead folks) 1. Be open to learning and unlearning. 🙌 ⭐️Bonus - Be humble, learn to ask for help and shed the ego when needed. 2. Build your network as against the lone wolf behaviour. Connect with your peers, alum network, mentors, professionals in your target role. 🗣️👥 ⭐️Bonus - Practice gratitude to those who help you and be approachable to your juniors. 3. Experiment your strategy for 2-3 weeks if you don’t receive calls, re-evaluate it. 🔁 ⭐️Bonus - Chase and be receptive to feedback. It’s golden. 4. In a tough market, bank upon your already proven skill set. 👩🏻💻👨🏼💻 ⭐️Bonus - Don’t leave your dream role behind. Work in the shadows, you’ll get there 5. Document. Document your strategies, action plan, prep and feedback. 📝 ⭐️Bonus - Make a cheat sheet of your wins (past and recent) and use it as fuel on your bad days 6. Ruthless prioritisation. Set your tasks for the day and get it done. ⏰ ⭐️Bonus - Treat this as your employment, be cognizant of time, results and take accountability. 7. Be authentic to land roles that fit you. 😎 ⭐️Bonus - If you are struggling to stand out, the answer lies in your experiences. Find your motivations and join the dots. Then tell your story again and again but to the right people. 8. Be targeted in your roles. Don’t run hither thither - it shows up exactly like that. 🎯 ⭐️Bonus - Identify transferable skills in your previous roles that will speak to your strengths no matter the roles. Really use them. 9. Quit cribbing. Focus on the problem solving - you need a job and you need a strategy to tackle it. Remember this everyday💪🏼 . ⭐️Bonus - Go through the roller coaster. Build upon your core characteristics and the biggest achievement will be your personal growth. 10. Be patient 🤗 ⭐️Oh, one last bonus - take it easy somedays, you will definitely get there! :) Please share your learnings too, I’m listening ! #jobhunt #internationalstudent #learnings

Many candidates have lost job opportunities due to a skills gap. As a result, they are encouraged to acquire skills that make them job-ready and position them as the right fit. However, it's not just about learning these skills; the true differentiation lies in implementing and putting into practice what you have learned. Here are three steps to help you get started on implementing new skills: ✅Practice Regularly: Consistent practice reinforces your learning and boosts your confidence in using your new skills. ✅Seek Feedback: Share your progress with mentors or peers who can provide constructive feedback to help you improve. ✅Reflect and Adjust: Take time to reflect on your experiences. Identify what worked well and what didn’t, then adjust your approach accordingly. It’s essential to remember that learning is only the first step; true growth comes from implementing what you’ve learned. Only by putting knowledge into practice can you see real improvement and progress in your skills. If you know someone who needs to read this, repost!

We build proof to ourselves for who we are and who we can be. Everything we do is an extension of us, so anything we do to learn and develop becomes part of us. We don’t have to do this all the time, but when we do, we always know we can. Who have you always wanted to be and how can you take steps to be them today? I’ve looked at how opportunities where I could move slightly out of my ‘comfort zone’ than I had done previously so I could teach myself I was more capable than I realised. Throughout my career, seizing these opportunities has looked like signing up to: -Co-lead a DEI programme for the GCS -Organise an educational event for my department -Support a network (there are many) -Share my experiences by doing talks You can have personal development and facilitate in so many ways: -Speaking to someone you look up to and introducing yourself -Applying or asking for a mentor -Applying to be a mentor -Taking a career break to pursue what you love You’ll know what you need at any given time. It’s how I know when to step back and rest and when to challenge myself in a way that inspires me. How do you build proof with yourself that you can do and be anything you want to? #Personaldevelopment

So many opportunities and possibilities lie before you but you miss them. You miss them because you're too blind to see it. It's not your fault because you have not undergone a mindset shift. When you undergo a mindset shift and be equipped with more knowledge, you'll start seeing the possibilities of taking your career to the next level. For Emmanuel, The ESP is doing that magic. He is seeing the mistakes he has been making in his job search. The Employability skills program is not just training… It's a practical session where you discover yourself, your potential, and learn the right skills to build your career. We started this program with you in mind. To help you become who you desire to be in your professional world. This is why you should not miss being in the next cohort. Learn how to be bold, stand out, and communicate your values the right way. Cohort 4 will open for enrollment soon! Are you ready? #employabilityskills #workreadyschool #employabilityskillsprogram

Sticking to outdated strategies won’t get you where you want to be! The opportunities are there, but they're buried within the skills you haven’t mastered yet. Want to know how to gain the edge and bridge the gap in your skills? Head to the link below to learn! https://lnkd.in/eSC7V2cm

Many young professionals face self-doubt, uncertainty, and a lack of self-awareness when starting their first corporate job, making it challenging to integrate and grow within the company. As a dedicated coach, I guide apprentices through their entire apprenticeship, helping them uncover their strengths and inner beauty. I foster self-awareness, confidence, and the courage to make mistakes and learn from their own experiences by providing personalized coaching sessions designed to help them overcome self-doubts, embrace authenticity, and understand their values. My coaching empowers young professionals to navigate their unique journeys with clarity and courage. By focusing on self-awareness, effective communication, and networking, I enable them to take charge of their lives and careers. Through my support, they learn to be open-minded, solution-oriented, and view feedback as an opportunity for growth, ultimately leading to successful integration and professional development. What are you passionate about? #passion #apprentice #corporatejourney #personaldevelopment #coaching #growth

The Future is Uncertain, But Our Young People Hold the Key Let's face it, young people today face a challenging landscape: uncertainty, debt, and self-doubt are real hurdles to their success. As a business and education community, we have a responsibility to unite in support, inspiration, and opportunity creation. Take a look around the world. It's a complex situation, and frankly, our generation has played a part in shaping it. But here's the good news: the potential for a better future rests with the courageous young people who are stepping up. This is why I launched the "Young Leaders Nexus": a community for young individuals who dare to be different, driven by vision and purpose. Calling all professionals and business owners! I invite you to join me in supporting this next generation. Young Leaders Nexus can be a force for positive change, and I believe it's something we can all be proud of. Does this resonate with you? Send me a direct message (DM) and let's connect! #YoungLeadersNexus #FutureOfWork #SupportYoungTalent Matthew Hall Diane Vernon MBE FIEP Ed Pearson Mumta Ito Hemaxi Natali DAVID HYNER Fiona (Fee) Stevenson Caterina Netti Fabien Clark Ryan Walker Svetlana Kardan, MBA TONY K SILVER