Victoria Aldred, 7 February, 2023
Education and design thinking CEO, speaker and author Rashan is most fulfilled when he is equipping others to level up and move toward their desired future.
The QUT Alumni Team sat down with Rashan to discuss the future of work, what defining success for oneself means, and hear his advice on how to make positive changes in your life.
As Founder and CEO of Inspired Education Australia what do you think the typical career journey will look like for recent university graduates?
In today's dynamic world, recent graduates have a multitude of career options to explore. Thanks to advancements in technology and the interconnectedness of the global landscape, individuals can tailor their career path to fit their unique strengths and interests. It's estimated that in 2023, the average person will have 16-18 career changes, a significant increase from past generations who typically only had 2-4. Embracing transferable skills and a continuous learning mindset will allow individuals to navigate various industries and find fulfilling work. In today's rapidly changing job market, the ability to adapt to new situations and navigate uncertainty is increasingly valuable, making non-linear careers a desirable option for recent graduates.
In your opinion, do you think work cultures and work practices will continue to evolve, or revert to back to how they were prior to the beginning of 2020?
I firmly believe that the future of work is rapidly changing and may never be the same. The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a catalyst for this change, shaping the transition from the 4th to the 5th Industrial Revolution. With an emphasis on humanizing technology, we will see a shift towards new work cultures and practices, both locally and globally. Remote work, flexible work arrangements, and a focus on work-life balance are becoming increasingly common. As generations with different perspectives and priorities enter the workforce, new possibilities and opportunities are likely to emerge. Overall, the future of work is poised for significant transformation as technology and cultural attitudes continue to evolve.
What steps could someone follow to understand what their personal definition of success looks like?
Dale Carnegie once said, anyone can be defined as ‘successful’ if they ‘embrace life as a progressive realisation for a worthy ideal. In my eyes, anyone who is able to find meaningful work as a clear choice, foster meaningful relationships along the way and practice life as a continuous learning journey is successful. Actionable steps you can take:
- Reflect on values and goals,
- Set SMART goals,
- Learn from past experiences of yours and others,
- Identify and capitalise on your unique circumstances, and;
- Seek feedback and advice.
In your book ‘Inspired Success: Designing Your Own Definition of Success' you talk a lot about physical and mental health and building resilience - how critical are these to coping with a fast-paced world?'
The book emphasises the importance of physical and mental health as the foundation for building resilience in all areas of life - the statement “Health is wealth” comes to mind! Of course, there are many variables and factors that can be different to each individual. However, as a foundational principle maintaining your optimal physical health will naturally yield in more energy, motivation, and ability to do more. By making small conscious choices to develop positive habits, individuals can simplify their lives and create a positive impact. The book shares personal habits, tips, tricks, and expert advice to help readers learn from my experiences and mistakes.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
The most enjoyable aspect of my role is in the action of imparting and sharing knowledge. Whether it is a student or a teacher or another business owner, workshop setting, lecture, or seminar - when someone receives knowledge that helps them level up, skill up, get inspired and motivated to do more, that is a very happy place for me! It genuinely feels as if you are bringing light to someone in darkness.
You give back to the community by providing professional development opportunities and financial assistance to charity projects. What motivates you to do this?
Simply put, what goes around, comes around! My team I are governed by the power of sharing knowledge and skills. Our focus on imparting the latest technology, practices, and information to our clients in an inspiring and engaging way has already made a significant impact within the Australian education sector. With our philanthropic initiative, "K(Share)," - which stands for “Knowledge (Share)” - in partnership with Frontier Projects Inc., we are able to extend this impact to even further reaches offering new opportunities to those who may not have had access to them otherwise - in this instance, to the Bouvier School in Haiti. This not only amplifies the impact of our work but also provides a sense of fulfillment in knowing that Australian educators are part of a system that constantly gives back to the global community.
What advice would you give alumni looking to make positive changes in their personal or professional lives?
The idea of "becoming the architect of your own future" is a concept that I hold close to my heart. As someone who studied Architecture at QUT, I have learned the importance of designing spaces to meet a specific purpose or requirement. I believe that this same principle can be applied to our own lives. By embracing our unique selves and taking deliberate steps (designing) towards our desired future, we can bring meaning and purpose to our lives. My advice is to see life as your most important design project and find value in who you are as you work towards designing the life you want.
What is one skill you couldn’t live without and why?
The one skill that I value the most is: Creative Problem Solving (also known as ‘Design Thinking’). This single skill embodies empathy, collaboration and experimentation and can be applied into any context – personal or professional – and can open doors unlike any other. As a result, it is projected that 85% of career pathways in 2030 will require this skill as a cornerstone. But, it's important to remember that your own ethics and values must always guide the application of this skill, creating a positive impact and benefiting not just oneself, but others as well.
Do you have a question for Rashan? Connect with him on LinkedIn, or via his personal website.