Dragonfly staff attend Shirebrook Academy's Personal Development Day

Recently, Shirebrook Academy’s Personal Development Day provided an exciting opportunity for Year 7 students to explore the world of careers and business. The Academy invited Dragonfly Management's Development and Contracts Officer Lorri Darby to speak to the students about her career journey and the importance of continuous learning. To further enrich the experience, she invited her colleague Ellis Green, as well as one of the tenants from the Tangent Business Hub, Lunar Talent, to join the session and share their expertise.

The students were enthusiastic and eager to learn, asking insightful questions about various careers, and which qualifications may be required.

Lorri spoke about the Regeneration Projects she is currently involved in, explaining how these initiatives are revitalising the local community and creating new opportunities for businesses and young people. Business Estates Officer Ellis shared her knowledge of commercial letting, providing an overview of how the rental of business spaces works and its impact on the economy. Lunar Talent, a dynamic talent agency working with celebrities from soaps and sports, spoke about their role in the entertainment industry and the career opportunities available within that sector. The students were fascinated by the different career paths and how these industries contribute to the community.

Lorri Darby shared her personal career journey with the students and reflected, “Sharing my career journey with the Year 7 students was an incredibly rewarding experience. It allowed me to demonstrate that learning doesn’t end when you leave school. At 39, I am still growing both personally and professionally, and continuous learning and volunteering have been pivotal to my career development. I hope the students left the session inspired to see education and personal growth as lifelong journeys.”

Lorri’s message about ongoing growth and learning resonated deeply with the students, showing them that their education doesn’t stop after school – it's a lifelong process.

Students left with a broader understanding of the various career options available to them; they were inspired by the personal stories shared and motivated to think about how the skills they are developing now will help them shape their futures.

The session also highlighted the importance of perseverance, hard work, and continual development, encouraging the students to see that there is no limit to what they can achieve.

The day was a fantastic success, thanks to the insightful contributions from Lorri, Ellis, and Lunar Talent, as well as the enthusiastic participation of the students.

The Academy hopes to continue offering such opportunities for students to engage with local professionals, helping them gain a clearer understanding of the world of work and the endless possibilities for their future careers.