Design Your Life Presentation

Conversations That Change the Way You Think

One of the most anticipated and talked-about sessions of Camps and Pathways Week 2026 was the Design Your Life Presentation, an inspiring and deeply personal panel event that brought together four remarkable individuals to share the stories behind their careers. Honest, candid, and at times surprising, these conversations offered students something that no textbook or careers guide can replicate: the lived experience of people who have navigated the real world, made bold decisions, faced unexpected turns, and come out the other side with wisdom worth sharing.

The central message woven through every story was both simple and profound, a career is rarely a straight line. And that is not something to fear. It is something to embrace.

Grace Archer

Grace Archer brought warmth and authenticity to the panel, sharing a career journey marked by curiosity and a willingness to follow where opportunity leads. 

Her story resonated with students who may feel uncertain about committing to a single path, demonstrating that some of the most fulfilling careers are built not through rigid planning, but through openness to new experiences and a readiness to say yes to the unexpected.

Calvin Tan

Calvin Tan spoke with energy and candour about the pivots and recalibrations that have defined his professional life. His account of stepping away from one direction to pursue another, and the courage that required, was a compelling reminder that changing course is not a sign of failure. It is often a sign of growth. 

Students were encouraged by his message that self-awareness and the willingness to reassess are among the most powerful tools a person can carry into their working life.

Professor Robert Scholten

Professor Robert Scholten offered a perspective shaped by decades of experience at the highest levels of his field. His journey illustrated how a commitment to lifelong learning, intellectual curiosity, and adaptability can open doors that could never have been anticipated at the outset of a career. 

Professor Scholten's story was a timely reminder that expertise is built over time, and that the path to achievement is often longer, richer, and more varied than it first appears.

Vanessa Meston

Vanessa Meston rounded out the panel with a story that spoke directly to the importance of aligning career choices with personal values. 

Her experience of navigating change, stepping into unfamiliar territory, rebuilding, and ultimately finding greater purpose and fulfilment was both honest and deeply inspiring. 

Her message encouraged students to ask not just "what do I want to do?" but "what kind of life do I want to live?" and to let that question guide their choices.