Case studies - Bethany Brandon-Blatch
Bethany Brandon-Blatch is a 17 year old student from Leigh On Sea. She was recently chosen from a huge selection of candidates to attend The Global Young Leaders Conference. This Conference gives high-achieving students aged 16-18 a greater understanding of their roles as global ambassadors while analyzing concepts surrounding communications, diplomacy, law, human rights, peace, security, economics and the role of the United Nations. Students return home from GYLC with a greater understanding of their roles and responsibilities as citizens and future leaders in an international community.
Can you tell us a little bit about your forthcoming trip to The Whitehouse?
“The Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) is a unique leadership development program that brings together outstanding young people from around the world to build critical leadership skills in a global context.
I was put forward by my school to get involved with the GYLC because I had expressed a real interest in world economics and politics and recognised that the key to successful international relationships is communication. I’m looking forward to working with students from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds. We’ll be working together to solve global issues such as terrorism and environmental issues and global warming. I’m also really excited aboutthe opportunity to learn from and exchange ideas with some of the world's top business leaders, policy officials, lobbyists, journalists, diplomats and academics in the challenging and dynamic environments of Washington, D.C. and New York City.”
When did you first become interested in politics?
”I first showed an interest in politics after seeing the film Hotel Rwanda where economic and ethnic pressures instigated a civil war which culminated in the mass murder of around 800,000 Tutsi’s, the minority ethnic group in 1994 whilst the rest of the world looked on through 24 hour news coverage.”
Would you like to be a politician?
“I believe that to be a politician would be an immensely difficult job and that to be a successful politician you need to be very single minded and thick skinned. I wouldn’t want to be a politician as I think I would struggle balancing the practicalities with the differing desires and values of the electorate.”
Have you any idea what you'd like to do for a career?
“I would like to follow a career in economics studying what is happening on a global scale, forecasting future trends in areas such as unemployment, inflation, economic growth, productivity and investment. I think a career such as an international economist would be really interesting studying international financial markets, exchange rates, and the effects of various trade policies such as tariffs.”
What are some of the difficult issues young people in the UK face these days?
”I think young people today are facing pressures of expectations to achieve goals in education and/or work in extremely difficult circumstances. These pressures I believe are what lead to the increasing trends of drink, violence and drugs and generally anti-social behaviour.”
How best can a young person turn a talent into a career?
“People always excel at things they love, so young people should pursue their passions and look for opportunities to work or volunteer in areas they are interested in. Quite often, through following their passions they will meet people and opportunities will open up to them that will lead to work or further their career.”
Why do you think it’s important to support young people's talents?
”I think supporting young people’s talents is important to encourage them to reach their full potential in areas they enjoy and to build them up and increase their confidence.”
Who in your life has helped you to Shine? Who inspires you?
”My parents have always encouraged everything I do and my grandparents have enabled me to pursue opportunities that have come my way by offering practical and financial help.”
What other talents do you have?
”I’m a hilarious person - I have the ability to make people laugh, people tend to love and look up to me and I’m also stunning with an amazing fashion instinct as well as this I’ve been told I’m also immensely modest!!”
How do you think schools can help young people to develop their ideas and have the confidence to take them forward?
”I think peer mentoring has proved successful in my school with older students supporting and encouraging younger students taking their ideas forward. Inspirational teachers are those who take the time to get to know students individually and encourage them.”
What was the most valuable lesson you learnt from your school days?
”The most valuable thing I’d say I‘ve learned from my school days would most probably be to value myself, not compare myself to others and not take on board negativity.”
What’s the best advice anyone's ever given you?
”Never spend more than you have! ”
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
“Finishing university and embarking on my career with a major corporation bank such as Merrill Lynch or JP Morgan working in international finance.”
Find out more at http://www.cylc.org/GYLC/
