It’s National Careers Week and we want to shine a spotlight on former Scouts who have gone on to have amazing careers.
Scouts have walked on the moon, rowed across oceans, scaled the highest mountains. They have been prime ministers and Oscar winners, authors and inventors, World Cup heroes and scientists.
The opportunities are endless, and futures are bright for our Scouts!
Meet Mike Bobbett, a former Scout who is now a Director at Phase Finance & Business Consulting Limited. We caught up to learn a little bit about his time as a Scout and how it helped him in his career.
How long were you a Scout?
“I joined 22nd Newport Beaver Scouts at about 6 years of age. I progressed from there to Cub Scouts, Scouts and Venture Scouts at 1st Rogerstone which was only a mile or so from home. I remained involved until the age of 16 or 17, which would have been around 1995.”
How did being a Scout help you to where you are now in your career?
“Whilst in my teens, being a member of a Scout group was hugely important when it came to developing life-skills and demonstrating something beyond academic progress. It was a key element of my ‘Statement of Achievement’ which helped with my first part-time job applications and to gain acceptance into my University of choice.
“The Scout movement encourages you to work with others, to demonstrate a degree of independence, develop leadership skills and cultivate a sense of community spirit. It is also a safe, well-supported environment in which you can aim to learn from your mistakes and hope to build resilience.
How did being a Scout give you skills for life?
“Many of the things that became important to me as a Scout remain important to me now, not least the opportunity to be part of a range of inspiring teams. As Scouts, my friends and I participated in fundraising events, volunteering, Remembrance Day parades and a wide range of other activities.
“I feel very privileged to now work in the charitable sector. Here, I am able to support others who aim to make a practical difference to other people’s lives, be they cancer patients, carers or, simply, those who love to participate in their favourite sports.”
What would be the one piece of advice you’d give to someone going into your field?
“If I were to give someone looking to work in the fields of accountancy, general finance or operations a piece of advice it would be this: Look to apply your skills in a way that makes you feel happy and rewarded. It might not always be lucrative, but it is great to be a part of something ‘bigger’.”
What was your favourite thing about being a Scout?
“My family love the outdoors, and this was one thing that the Scouts nurture so well, from hiking, camping, canoeing and abseiling. Being outdoors remains one of my greatest pleasures and for that I’ll always be extremely grateful.”
