Muhammad Abdul-Mukit Shah, 32
Conference manager, Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership

"You’ve got to believe in what you are doing – in my case, it’s helping the least fortunate young people"

So, what do you actually do?

I organise conferences in work-related learning at Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership for 14 London secondary schools. I organise and chair over 30 two-day conferences a year, using volunteers from the business community to provide young people with information on how to identify and market their job related skills.

What training helped you get the job?

I went to a local secondary school, then to Tower Hamlets College, before going to Royal Holloway University to study Economics and Public Administration. I was looking for my first job when I was invited by the Education Business Partnership to take part in a Graduate Personal Development and Management course aimed at helping local university graduates find employment. Towards the end of the course, they suggested I apply for the vacancy of Project Support Officer.

What does your typical day involve?

In the office, I spend the day recruiting volunteers, publicising the project, researching new materials, visiting prospective volunteers and companies, and making presentations. When I am at conference, my role is very different. I have to be on hand to deal with every issue, from ensuring the venue is set up correctly, to briefing volunteers, welcoming students, chairing the conference, and then clearing up afterwards.

What personality is best suited to this job?

You really do have to have patience, and to enjoy interacting with people. It helps to think creatively as you will undoubtedly face many challenges and you need to be good at problem solving. But most of all, you’ve got to believe in what you are doing - in my case; it’s helping the least fortunate young people.

What has been your most memorable experience in the job?

While I was a project support officer, my manager fell sick during a conference. I was asked whether I could run it, and I decided that I needed to show my managers that I have the confidence and dedication to rise up in time of crisis. I stood up in front of 100 people for the first time in my life and started to deliver the event.

What’s the most challenging thing about you job?

I have to deal with disaffected young people who lack motivation and do not see the value of a good education. It’s also difficult to persuade the business community to give up their time to help those less fortunate.

Tower Hamlets Education Business Partnership
Tel 020 7655 0300
Email info@thebp.co.uk
info@thebp.co.uk