It’s 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 Luke Holland, a former Scout who is now a Director at Cathod Du Consultancy. We caught up to learn a little bit about his time as a Scout and how it helped him in his career.
When were you a Scout?
“I was a Beaver, Cub and then Scout. I joined Beavers in 1985 and moved, becoming a Scout in 1990. I was a member of the 78th St Saviour’s Own, Splott.”
How did being a Scout help you to where you are now in your career?
“It certainly gave me a self-confidence and enabled me to feel comfortable with any task I’m faced with. Being half a camel in the skit we performed after sorting the Christmas Post in Splott every year was more fun than the presentations I give today, but the fundamentals are the same – if you can make people laugh, you can usually help them learn as well.”
How did being a Scout give you skills for life?
“It’s easy to forget the things that you first do as a Cub or a Scout – the first night spent away from home with other kids, the first time camping, proper time spent exploring and creating stuff in an exciting environment. It taught me that asking questions is not a bad thing, and that there is usually a solution to a problem – made easier still when you work at it with others.”
What would be the one piece of advice you’d give to someone going into your field?
“Only ever work with people and organisations you like and respect. You can’t effectively promote, protect or present for someone or something you don’t believe in, however much the contract is worth.”
What was your favourite thing about being a Scout?
“Our trips to London, staying at Baden Powell House, meeting kids from around the world and seeing things I never would have had the chance to without Hawkeye and Akela.”
