A special Student Enterprise Conference for over 400 4th and 5th year pupils from schools throughout West Cork (Beara to Crosshaven) was hosted on Monday 13th October by the Local Enterprise Office, Cork West, in Inchydoney Lodge and Spa.
The “Leaders on Our Level” conference was aimed at encouraging senior students undertaking the West Cork Schools Enterprise Programme to realise the possibilities available to them outside of the school gates. Participants are exposed to the realities and challenges faced by entrepreneurs in every stage of business development throughout the programme which culminates with the national final in Croke Park next April.
Students were addressed by a diverse line-up of speakers including Ciaran Sheahan, MuttMitts.ie, Declan Murphy, Just-one.org charity, Alex Musgrave, Dog Day Media, Louise O'Neill author of best seller "Only Ever Yours" and last year's winners, My Little Big Adventure from Castletownbere.
Speaking to the students Louise O'Neill said "Society doesn't encourage us enough to dream. Instead, it teaches us that we need to be practical, that we need to find a job that pays the bills and that listening to our intuition is nonsensical. However, it was when I let go of the idea of what success should look and feel like, what was when success actually came!
She continued, "If you can learn to just do whatever feels right for you - not for your parents or teachers or community - but for yourself, then you won't go wrong." She encouraged the students to trust their own instincts and pursue what they love before finishing with a quote from American mythologist and writer Joseph Campbell; "Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls".
Ciaran Sheehan, founder of MuttMmitts.ie also encouraged the students to not be afraid lead saying "there are opportunities everywhere and you can find them in the most unexpected of places. Don't be left wondering what might have been, be fearless and go for it!"
Speaking of the event, Michael Hanley, CEO, LEO Cork North and West said “This programme is the first time in their school lives that students are given control of setting up something which they will own and run and this is important for the development of vital practical business skills which will stand to them long in to the future. I commend their teachers who partake in the programme to help their students realise their full potential and motivate them to think big for the future."