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OWN X SCHOOL PROGRAMS

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Real-World Experience​

For students aged 12-18

RWX is a project-based career exploration program that allows students to get a taste of potential careers by learning directly from industry professionals, develop the core competencies needed to make an impact in their chosen industry, and map out pathways to future career success.


Customizable according to your needs

Formats

  • Single-industry track
  • Multi-industry track

Schedule

  • Curricular/ Co-curricular
  • Extra-curricular / Holiday

Class size

  • One classroom*
  • Single or multi-grade levels*
  • One-on-one

*Maximum of 25 students

Duration

  • 1 day or less
  • 5 days
  • 3 months or more

Case Studies

American International School of Hong Kong

Challenge
As a future-thinking school, the American International School of Hong Kong (AIS) sought a practical career exploration program to complement classroom learning. 

Solution: 
OWN Academy partnered with AIS to deliver our multi-track career exploration program offering hands-on learning and guidance from industry experts. Launched in 2018 (with a brief hiatus in 2020), the program has become an annual staple at AIS.

Outcome:
•  Students explored diverse career paths and experienced what it’s like to pitch a business idea as an entrepreneur, work on a set as a filmmaker, and so on.
•  Exceptional participants even landed internships with esteemed brands such as The New York Times, South China Morning Post, and Ocean Park.
•  The program is now mandatory for Grade 9 to 12 students, which means that by the time they graduate from high school, they would have had four rounds of career simulation. 

Key Takeaways:
•  Having four rounds of career exploration gives students four different career experiences to leverage for university applications, internships, and networking.
•  The program aligns with the AIS Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs), developing these four aspects: Empowered Thinker, Effective Communicator, Well-Rounded Individual, and Global Citizen. 

Stamford American School Hong Kong

Challenge:
Stamford American School Hong Kong (SASHK) wanted to introduce more diverse pathways in their existing Cornerstones Program, a project-based program for Grades 9 and 10. 

Solution:
Since 2021, OWN Academy has delivered our career exploration program featuring exciting fields such as game design, biotechnology, DJ and music production, entrepreneurship, fitness and wellness, architecture, filmmaking, finance, event production, and e-commerce. 

Outcome:
•  Students are able to learn from industry professionals and gain hands-on experiences, with teachers facilitating the learning process.
•  Customizing the program to suit the school’s needs, we run the program weekly for a total of 12 sessions incorporated into curricula time—almost as if it were a new subject. 

Key Takeaways:
•  The program is now embedded in the school’s culture, with students looking forward to the next career industries they want to explore through the program.
•  Students are able to discover new interests that they had not previously considered because they had the opportunity to explore in a safe, dynamic environment.
•  Students who perform exceptionally well may have the chance to be offered summer internships by our vetted Industry Coaches who run the programs. 

International Community School Singapore

Challenge:
Eric Laug, a college counselor at International Community School Singapore (ICS), recognized the need for career exploration but lacked the time to manage a comprehensive program. 

Solution:
OWN Academy partnered with Eric to deliver a one-day version of our multi-track career experience program, a dynamic and interactive alternative to traditional career fairs. 

Outcome:
•  Students actively participated in workshops across three diverse career paths, gaining hands-on experiences and valuable industry insights.
•  OWN Academy was able to provide much needed support to Eric’s existing work as a single college counselor. 

Key Takeaways:
•  The program went beyond traditional career fairs with interactive workshops on entrepreneurship, media, and finance with vetted industry experts.
•  Learners were energized and motivated, with a newfound awareness of career possibilities.
•  As Eric says, it takes a village to provide students with “the best experiences they can have to grow and develop into world-class citizens.”

Sha Tin College

Challenge
Sha Tin College in Hong Kong was no stranger to experiential learning weeks, but were looking to expand local career exploration options for students.

Solution
OWN Academy became their solution, offering multi-track and single-track career exploration programs for students aged 12-18. These programs provided a valuable alternative to traditional overseas trips, allowing students to stay local and gain real-world opportunities.

Outcome

  • Several students secured internships directly through the program—one student who has always been interested in filmmaking landed a role as an intern at EuCan Productions, working closely with our Industry Coach Eugene Chan. 
  • Similarly, a group in the Biotechnology track scored summer jobs at Nanopath Technologies Limited (Spidfier), even publishing their own research papers in a science journal. 

Key Takeaways

  • Although every educator, parent, and student wants an internship, traditional models that aim for immediate placement often fall short. 
  • OWN reinvents internships and bridges this gap by creating a platform for students to prove their abilities and potential to industry professionals.
  • We empower students to showcase their skills and work ethic, increasing their chances of securing roles in industries they’re passionate about and giving them a headstart on building their professional network.
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Real-World Challenge

For students aged 14-18

As a teacher, what if you could contextualize your academic lessons with real-world problem solving scenarios by bringing an industry expert into the classroom? RWC is a challenge-based program designed for students to solve an industry case study and implement a solution through the lens of an industry professional. Co-facilitated by the teacher and industry professional, this program takes place during class hours and is seamlessly integrated into the subject curriculum.



Sample Challenges

Working with a team, develop a plan for a specialty coffee retailer to source their raw materials, such as coffee beans and fruit, from a sustainable and ethical supply chain. Identify strategies to achieve business objectives.

Design an innovative mobile app that promotes mental health awareness and self-care strategies specifically for university freshmen. Create a marketing campaign and content calendar to announce the launch of this app. 

Present a strategy for a multinational tech company to implement energy efficient measures, paperless practices, and reduction of single-use plastic, outlining the stakeholders, time, and cost involved.

Case Studies

Cranbrook School, Sydney

Challenge:
Nick Hanrahan, IB Diploma Programme Coordinator and Teacher of History and Global Politics at Cranbrook School, wanted to show students how their curriculum applied to the real world. 

Solution:
OWN Academy brought in an industry professional to complement Nick’s efforts as an individual teacher, helping students contextualize academic lessons with real-world scenarios.

Outcome:
•  We designed a curriculum-aligned case study on Corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and International Law with speaker and lawyer Jessica Shing.
•  Students understood the ESG principles in global business expansion and developed solutions through the provided case study. 

Key Takeaways:
•  Students found the program “insightful and engaging” and “enjoyed solving the case study with the guidance of an industry professional.”
•  As IBDP coordinator, Nick saw the value in the program and wants the other teachers he oversees to experience it.
•  Even IB teachers, who are already immersed in the philosophy of real-world learning, may have limited bandwidth and need additional support to execute their vision. 

American Embassy School, New Delhi

Challenge:
The Institute for Design and Innovation at the American Embassy School (AES) in New Delhi, India, wanted to provide exciting experiences to students but lacked industry connections. 

Solution:
OWN Academy filled the gap for the forward-thinking institute and developed a bespoke four-day intensive workshop featuring vetted industry experts. 

Outcome:
•  In our simulated business environment, students took on the roles of decision makers at a fictional company facing real-world sustainability challenges.
•  Students developed their critical thinking and negotiation skills as they navigated the delicate balance between financial considerations and environmental responsibility.

Key Takeaways:
•  The program proved to be a valuable learning experience for AES students, empowering them to see themselves as changemakers.
•  Students emerged with a deeper understanding of sustainability challenges, diverse perspectives, and effective communication.
•  Even forward-thinking educators, who believe in the power of real-world learning, may have limited resources and need additional support to help their students.

Australian International School Hong Kong

Challenge:
Australian International School Hong Kong found it challenging to maintain their industry network to provide a consistently high-quality work experience program for students. 

Solution:
OWN Academy partnered with the school to pilot a fully online version of our case study program, addressing the school’s unique needs amid the pandemic restrictions in 2021. 

Outcome:
•  We brought in renowned industry professionals, like Dr. Hwei Huih Lee, a leader in COVID-19 vaccine development, to share her real-world expertise with students.
•  The program empowered the teachers to facilitate the program within the existing curriculum, providing real-world context for specific topics outlined in the syllabus. 

Key Takeaways:
•  A significant milestone for OWN Academy, the pilot program proved the effectiveness of the collaboration between teachers and industry experts to elevate student learning.
•  Teachers gained new opportunities to explore topics like scientific ethics to enrich their lessons, and students gained a deeper understanding of opportunities and careers.
•  International schools may have their alumni network and industry connections, but maintaining relationships and providing relevant training require more resources. 

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