The most profound journeys begin with the smallest step. When Ben walked into Loomis Sayles’ offices last summer as a Year 11 Student, he carried with him a casual demeanor, not yet realising how this day might change his trajectory.
Ben was a student at one of our partner schools in Kent, where our Practitioner service operates, providing vital support to young people navigating the complexities of education that goes beyond the classroom. He was one of the many young people attending the School-Home Support Aspiration Day. But what sets Ben’s story apart wasn’t just his curiosity about the day unfolding before him – but his willingness to act on that curiosity.
The Aspiration Day is designed as a window into worlds unheard of and unseen for many. Throughout the day, Ben and his peers heard from Loomis Sayles employees across all levels and departments, from recent graduates starting their careers to seasoned professionals who had climbed the corporate ladder, each sharing their unique journey.
During the day, the Managing Director, Chris Yiannakou (now Vice Chair of SHS Trustees), made an offer Ben couldn’t refuse: work experience opportunity for any student who was genuinely serious about exploring a career in finance. For many students, this might have been a daunting but interesting possibility that they could later ponder. For Ben, it was a challenge he was ready to meet.
Pivotal Moments Sparked by Curiosity
As we fast forward to Year 12, Ben took the initiative to reach out directly to Chris. His proactive approach proved successful – he was offered a week of work experience in June this year.
Ben’s journey illustrates the powerful ripple effect of Aspiration Days. What began as exposure to different career paths evolved into a meaningful professional opportunity. His story demonstrates how the right combination of exposure, inspiration, and initiative can create pathways that extend far beyond just a day’s experience.
Yet Ben’s honesty about his initial feelings reveals something important about how transformation actually occurs. “I had no expectations, and didn’t think much of the Aspiration Day,” he reflects. Which might be what you would feel as a young student who wants to spend the day out of the classroom.
But something shifted during the day. Looking back, Ben remembers a specific moment: “I remember some people, like Will and Chris, explaining what they did and how put together and competent they were. Although I initially lacked an interest in Finance, I couldn’t help but feel intrigued by the way they sold it to me. It was at that moment that I thought I should say something. I would rather have an experience to learn from, than nothing.“
A Day in the Life
What Ben discovered during this week went beyond just the different roles, he was learning about something fundamental in the workforce – culture, belonging and finding his place in the professional world. His first professional setting challenged every preconceived notion he had.
“It felt weird, yesterday we went for lunch to celebrate one of their interns leaving and celebrating the job she had done,” Ben explains, the concept seemingly unfamiliar to him. He goes on to describe how the experience mirrored the dynamics of a family gathering. “It was weird because I was sitting there talking about the stuff I talk about with my family, it was everything. We were just sitting there eating and not once did I feel like I was out of place. It was so nice, I didn’t expect it.”
His preconceptions are likely not too dissimilar to what we all might have expected in the realm of financial services: “I thought it would be really conservative and reserved. Instead, you’ve got people from every background, ethnicity and age, we are all sitting down talking. I thought that was cool.”
This revelation was profound for Ben, and he characterised the atmosphere of Loomis as “lived in” and mentioned how “everyone talks and it feels like they’re all friends.” Ben was discovering the very things that make working life part of the human experience. It was a glimpse into how professional environments can cultivate their people and develop authentic relationships.
Learnings and Next Steps
Ben’s insights reached beyond culture into the realm of professional growth. “I learnt how people interact,” he reflects. “It’s not always about the content but observing how they interact with each other – taking what’s happening around me to inform my decision making.”
One piece of advice that resonated with him most came from Head of Relationship Management, Joseph, who spoke to Ben about experience being crucial. He shared with Ben that “Even if something goes wrong, it’s more the fact that you’ve done it, you could say what went wrong, how you did it and how over time, you adapted.” For Ben, this was his favourite piece of wisdom – the understanding that growth comes not from achieving perfection but from engaging with the experience itself, even with all of its inherent chaos and challenges.
When asked if the experience has changed anything about his future decisions, he admits “you can’t change something you don’t have mapped out.” He acknowledges the experience to be important and valuable, and envisions the landscape of work changing in the next 10-20 years. At best, he is “still trying to figure stuff out,” he admits with honest uncertainty.
Right now, he is considering Manchester University to study History – a subject he is very passionate about. “I like the idea of studying Ancient Rome and next year we’re doing the Civil Rights Movement and I can’t wait for it,” he shared with genuine enthusiasm.
Ben’s story is still being written, but his advice for other students carried the weight of someone who has learned to embrace possibility: “I’d say don’t stress and go for what you’re curious about. Do what you want, to an extent – right now I could be playing FIFA. Do what makes you happy, but if what makes you happy isn’t good for you, don’t do it. Do what’s best for you.”
His observations about the Loomis Sayles team reveal his understanding of professional excellence: “They’re all very hardworking and dedicated, which sets a good precedent. When you think of the ideal employee you want someone passionate and dedicated – that’s what you’ve got here.”
Ben’s journey at Loomis Sayles speaks to something profound about the nature of the opportunity itself. What started as a simple ‘Aspiration Day’ – seemingly modest in its ambition – later became a portal into understanding the mechanics of professional working life. This experience reveals how meaningful encounters can emerge, not by grand gestures but with simple invitations.
Corporate Partnerships Delivering for Young People
We would like to give a big thank you to our incredible partner, Loomis Sayles, and to St Johns Catholic School for allowing us to be part of Ben’s journey. We wish him all the best for the future.
Ben’s story is just one that exemplifies the strength of our long-standing partnerships. A commitment that goes beyond hosting engagement activities, but rather, a belief in investing in the young people they meet. His experience mirrors the heart of our mission, where through small, intentional acts in daily life, we support children and their families, quietly planting seeds for transformative educational opportunities yet to come.
Chris Yiannakou, Managing Director and Vice Chair of SHS Trustees said:
“It was great to have Ben join us for work experience recently as he had previously attended one of the aspiration days organised by SHS in our London office, along with a number of his classmates. During his work experience week with us he was able to dig much deeper into the different types of roles available in investment management, how they all interact together and how people started their careers in this industry. I remembered Ben from the inquisitive questions he asked during the aspiration day and it was impressive to witness the thoughtful follow up questions he asked throughout his week with us this time around. We foresee a bright future for Ben in whatever career he decides to pursue!”
Find out more about partnership opportunities with School-Home Support.