Ask a Girl Guide: The Future World of Work

Some Guides attended The Future World of Work  as part of Youth Central’s Youth Summit last month. 400 young people met up to explore the challenges and opportunities of the future world of work.
14-year-old Rachel was one of the Guides who attended the summit. One of her favourite parts of the summit was an interactive workshop on health, well-being, and avoiding burn out.
Rachel shared her insights with us on the future of work and striking a good work/life balance.

Rachel (second from the right) with some other Guides

Did the youth event change the way you think about work?

Since attending this event I’ve become more aware of our rights as an employee in a work space. I’ve started looking at possible workplaces for when I am the right age which I probably wouldn’t have done for a few more years if I didn’t attend this event.

What advice would you give to someone who was looking for a healthier work/life balance?

I think the main way you can achieve a good work/life balance is to learn what is important and what isn’t. There’s no point spending time on something that doesn’t even matter in the long run. Take time for the people and things you love and not for the things that don’t. And finally, let go of perfectionism. Life isn’t perfect so why should the things you do be? Yes, you should always do your best but if something just isn’t working out, let it go.

What do you think are the main things stopping people from striking a good work/life balance? 

Probably the fact that they will have to stop some things in order to achieve other things. I won’t be able to work full time now that I’m at school, but later in life I will be able to.

What kind of work would you be curious about doing in the future? 

Obviously, things can change but at the moment I think I would be interested in becoming a paramedic. I’m up for the challenge and all of the different things you will have to face. I want to help people out, and my community, and I would really like meeting new people.

Rachel doing some community service with some Guiding friends

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