According to the World Economic Forum’s 2016 Global Challenge Insight Report, 65% of current school students will find themselves on a career path that does not currently exist. The question that should be asked, then, is the same question many educators face today: “How do we prepare the next generation for jobs that do not even exist yet?” Although this may seem a bit farfetched to you, the truth is that globalization has already shifted the transformation of the workplace into high gear and with the extremely rapid rate that science and technology is evolving, our traditional education system is struggling to keep up. Children of today are faced with the fact that much of the information currently being taught to them will be outdated by the time they graduate. How can teachers possibly prepare them for challenges they cannot necessarily foresee.
The Challenge
In as little as 10 years from now, careers will utilize skills from a variety of disciplines, requiring knowledge that spans many of the career fields we know today. According to experts, we need to enable our children to think outside of the classroom to conceptualize multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary answers to the complex problems of the future. Being able to adapt and change one’s thinking to approach a novel problem by gathering information from multiple avenues is a much-valued skill of the future. In traditional educational facilities, this is not the case, and problems are compartmentalized and isolated in the form of subjects, theoretically blinding students to the connections between different disciplines.
Sir Ken Robinson, a British author, public speaker and educational advisor to many governments and nonprofit organizations, believes that schools “kill” creativity, an attribute that is vital for survival in any unfamiliar circumstance. So if we are killing, or at least not nurturing creativity in children, how can we expect them to form a career out of the very raw materials we are currently teaching them? The answer is quite simple. We inspire them to learn, we give them the opportunity to think outside of the box and we show them what it is like to be creative with career options. It is in that very niche that our purpose lies.
Who We Are
The concept of this organization originated with the passion and forethought of Tobin Ansong and Vladimir Bogdashkin. With their passion for the youth of Canada and a love of education, these two friends created this not-for-profit in 2018 to fulfill a desperate need they saw in society for the advancement of the youth. This organization will not only achieve the two’s lifelong goal of making a valuable and concrete difference in the lives of Canadians, but, in addition, it will give the youth of Canada an opportunity to excel above and beyond their wildest dreams.
The Canadian Institute of Human Capital (CIHC) is a new not-for-profit organization aimed at exposing high school students to a novel, innovative way of thinking about career options, through the unique perspective of young professionals in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics (STEAM), Law. Politics, Financial services, Public sector, Accounting, and Consulting.
Our mission is to inspire the leaders of tomorrow with the help of the young innovative leaders of today.
Our purpose is, therefore, to expose high school students to alternative career opportunities through interaction with recent university graduates, or mentors, with a maximum of four years of work experience. Graduates are at the forefront of career transformation. They have been exposed to the cross-disciplinary application of their knowledge. They are familiar with the ever-changing work environment and what is needed to not only qualify for a specific job but to get and keep that job. Our primary focus is on the diversity of industry and discipline. The CIHC advises not only students but also school administrators on matters concerning the STEAM industries (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math), Law, Politics, Financial services, Public sector, Accounting, and Consulting.
What We Do
Interaction between students and specially selected mentors is facilitated through the hosting of career events and workshops at some of the most innovative technology start-ups in the country. This strategy aims to inspire students through witnessing world-class entrepreneurs in action. In addition to providing intimate knowledge of industry recruitment practices for new graduates, the CIHC will also give insight into relevant skill sets and competencies that are highly sought after by each of the abovementioned industries.
These interactions offer additional advantages in allowing students to think critically about their interests and passions, as well as their biases. The more they become exposed to alternative methods of thinking about their future, the higher the stimulation for their cognitive development and critical thinking skills. Finally, multidisciplinary thinking also allows children to embrace ambiguity and ethical concerns (Source: ISTE.org).
We also recommend organizations, such as Rotary club, Toastmasters, Second City improv, and Storytelling, that students can join to further their exposure and stimulate their innovative thinking. Additionally, the advancement of specific skills, attributes, and capabilities are recommended and include emotional intelligence, curiosity, creativity, adaptability, resilience, and critical thinking alongside knowledge of Artificial Intelligence (AI), coding, emerging technology, and financial modeling. Above all, experience in the form of apprenticeships and mentoring will be invaluable in the future marketplace and is actively promoted by our team (Source: Pew Research Center).
Let us have a brief look at some of the jobs you may expect to find in the future and the skills they will require
What Makes Us Special
Naturally, it is our diverse team of passionate and dedicated staff and mentors that form the cornerstone of CIHC. These mentors come from a diverse industry group and are passionate and driven to inspire the children of today to new heights. It is with this passion that we approach school children that are often faced with the reality that their future is uncertain.
The voluntary contributions of the CIHC can significantly assist students in preparing mentally and emotionally for the challenge that is their future career preparations. As a bonus, this service incurs no cost for either students or teachers and is 100% free. Our organization is large enough to divide the time commitment between many different members, ensuring that the high school faculty will not have to be involved in the everyday management of the organization. All our mentors, volunteers, and staff are required to go through a detailed and complicated screening process that includes police reference checks, screening reports, as well as any special requirements needed by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB).
