Politician in the making
Jacob Silove, a Sydney Emanuel School Year 10 student, has completed work experience with Sophie Cotsis MLC, a member of the NSW Upper House and the Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Local Governments and the Status of Women.
Sophie Cotsis and Jacob Silove
During his week with the Minister, Jacob conducted research for speeches in the Parliamentary Library, joined the Shadow Minister for a number of meetings and watched Legislative Debates and Question Time.
Jacob’s experience was informative and inspirational. “To be able to work with Sophie Cotsis is truly a once-in-a- lifetime event, something that will definitely affect the decisions I make in the coming years regarding my HSC and my post high school career,” he said. “I have always wanted to make a positive difference in the world, and have wished to make Australia a better place for all who live within it.
“I learnt how life in the NSW Parliament works and how a Member of the Legislative Council does their job. I was fascinated by watching the political system in action and how our Government does work that can affect a large population. I am really thankful to Ms Cotsis for giving me this opportunity, one that I will never forget.”
Sophie Cotsis was impressed with Jacob’s work, “It’s fantastic that Jake has chosen to get involved in democracy and learn more about how Parliament works. Jake’s enthusiasm and diligence as a work experience student have been very impressive. He has contributed to speeches I’ve given in Parliament, and wrote a thoughtful and informative brief regarding penalty rates and youth wages.”
Like many Year 10 students, Jacob’s career path is not yet set in stone. Work experience is an invaluable tool for students and schools rely on many generous businesses to give students ‘a go’. Six of Emanuel School’s Year 10 students spent their time at local veterinary surgeries; others are considering a career with the emergency services, local government and magazine publishers, as occupational therapists and physiotherapists, amongst others.
Emanuel School Principal Anne Hastings said, “We commend those businesses, many of them local, which give of their valuable time to show our students what life is like beyond school. By experiencing a career first-hand, students are able to develop an informed decision about their future paths.”
