CAREERS NEWSLETTER
2017-‐18
ISSUE 5 – Friday 24 November 2017
We are currently talking to all F ifth Year pupils about their exciting options beyond GCSE -‐ it is always a privilege to hear about their plans and prompt or nurture ideas. The future world of work is undoubtedly very exciting, although the precise influence of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and robots is yet to be fully revealed. However, it is very clear Bablake’s leavers will always have the skills to fulfil their plans and make their mark on the workplace.
Be Brave And Have Courage!
This week, The Guardian asked a few high-‐profile female leaders in the tech industry to examine their career paths, and offer advice and inspiration to younger women. Their excellent reflections relate to everyone. Joanna Shields, founder of We Protect, suggested stepping away from our 24/7 connectivity with technology for some quiet time. This ‘reboot’ would give u s clarity. She also urged everyone not to be afraid of getting lost from time to time, as an untravelled path often brings new discoveries and ideas. One of Facebook’s vice-‐presidents, Nicola Mendelsohn, gave excellent advice about confronting prejudice and unconscious b ias, areas everyone can speak out about. She also urged young employees to be brave and have the self-‐ belief to put themselves forward and make their voice heard. Bablake girls, refreshingly, do not hold back! In fact, it is more often the boys who hide their light: when it is time to select a team of Wheatleyan reporters or Senior Prefects, this has been historically the case over the last decade. Sarah Wood, co-‐founder of Unruly, offered a pertinent mantra for all young people: “There’s no ability gap, but there’s often a yawning confidence gap, and that’s what we need to close.” So we should encourage everyone to step up and take responsibility, run a team and lead. You have the ability to do so! To read m ore advice from these dynamic leaders, please see: www.theguardian.com/careers/2017/nov/29/be-‐brave-‐inspiring-‐the-‐next-‐ generation-‐of-‐women-‐in-‐tech?CMP=share_btn_tw.
The Skills Show 2017
Visiting Careers Fairs like The Skills Show is very important for decision-‐ making, as a classroom or leaflet does not always bring a profession to life. The Skills Show -‐ with the clue in the title -‐ most definitely suited students whose future options were more than likely to included a practical element. Housed over a huge area of the NEC, the event hosted ‘skills’ finals in welding, carpentry, silver service and more. We returned armed with literature, mostly covering apprenticeship options, which students may browse through in the Careers Centre.
LATEST NEWS
CAREERS FORUM (5) – Studying Geoscience – Dr Catherine Russell Dr Russell, a member of Bablake’s Class of 2009, completed her PhD in sedimentology this summer at the University of Leeds, which included 10 weeks’ independent fieldwork in Utah and Pembrokeshire. She kindly offered our students an excellent opportunity to learn about the subjects in school that would suit a degree in geoscience (or earth science/ geology as it is also known). Catherine presented excellent, realistic insight into the prospects for graduate employment in this field, although whereas at our 2016 Careers Convention, she was able to answer a good n umber of enquiries, many students who would have gained a lot from the presentation missed the opportunity to seek her advice on this visit.
Catherine’s knowledge and enthusiasm for geoscience are unrivalled and her account of its history and modern application was fascinating. Whether talking about the discoveries and geological maps of William Smith (‘father of geoscience’) or using an app to analyse the Bablake campus and its surrounds, her expertise and excitement were both very contagious. Her love of problem-‐solving was very evident and her success in gaining funding for her research displayed her varied skillset, which will impress future employers.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Dr R ussell p ictured with some practical materials. The fulgurite (bottom left), sand hit by lightning, was p articularly impressive.
Students looking to study geology, geoscience or earth science would usually choose chemistry, p hysics, mathematics, biology or geography at A level. A language would help with international field work/ research papers, while the third A level would usually be a free choice for the student. It is divisive to recommend certain universities over others, but certainly Hull, Leeds and Leicester have suited our students in the past. For those interested in geological news, please follow Dr Russell’s news blog: www.scoop.it/t/geology.
@BablakeCareers
LATEST NEWS
IN THE POST/ ONLINE
LANGUAGE GRADUATES ARE V ERY EMPLOYABLE
The newspapers have been reporting which graduates are most employable or earn the highest wage, and this year languages seem to have invoked the ire of the reporters. This is quite ironic with Brexit around the corner and the chances of working with non-‐English speaking countries never more likely. Tables, statistics and clickbait news articles tell you everything and nothing, so be sceptical of these reports. Many of the highest earners will work in an international context and display an array of language skills, while for complete fulfilment, money has never been the safest currency or best initial driver for employment choices.
Maybe, as a linguist, who studied French, Greek and Latin at A level, th Spanish as an extra O Level in the 6 Form and a Classics degree, you might expect me to vouch for the employability of languages graduates. I then chose to work with languages in a profession that pays a decent wage, certainly not the worst. I work with words a lot ( via digital and print journalism), but my language skills have not prevented me being scientific (in photography, web design and development), analytical or instructive.
Taster Days/ Courses •
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Apprenticeships Nestlé Academy – for its finance apprenticeship & chartered manager degree apprenticeship, see: www.nestlecareers.co.uk/academy/apprentices/. • Dyson: www.dysoninstitute.com/ NB All companies have their own way of advertising these opportunities. Deadlines for apprenticeships/ work experience vary, so ask direct if you cannot find the deadlines or information you need. •
Languages suit some more than others and global employers are happy to see a GCSE language or more on a CV. Don’t react to scare-‐mongering headlines; always choose what y ou enjoy and excel at for GCSE, A level and beyond. Employers want a team with many different skills.
Gap Year Options
www.gapyear.com http://www.yearoutgroup.org/ th
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Websites Used Most In Our 5 Year Career Reviews
Essential for L6th Medics -‐ University Hospitals th Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust – 24 Annual Careers Seminar. Collect consent forms from MGAW (Careers Centre). Further info via: www.mededcoventry.com/medicalinsight/. TH NB Deadline is 15 December 2017 th Be aware that the Headstart (L6th) and Inspire (5 Girls) deadlines are approaching. Further info via: www.etrust.org.uk/headstart/whatisheadstart and www.etrust.org.uk/inspirecourse.
www.studentladder.com www.prospects.ac.uk www.18before18.co.uk www.icould.com
On Our Social Media
Advert in Edinburgh shop. It's significant, that in a tourist hot spot/ multicultural city, the employer wants applicants to have language skills.
5TH YEAR UPDATE th
1 R EVIEW On Friday 24 November, all pupils completed a short form about their interests and strengths; each pupil will then be offered a 15-‐ 20 minute initial 1-‐1 discussion, before the end of this term, to talk about future plans. (2 groups have completed this already.) Students may always email with enquiries or to arrange a follow up meeting. Dropping in is perfectly fine, although it is harder to guarantee someone else may not already be doing this. I can book appointments around duties, meetings, school events or society commitments. 2 CV CHALLENGE The 2017 CV Challenge has been set and all applications th should be returned by 4pm Friday 15 D ecember. CVs will then be ‘marked’ and returned just after the Mock Exams in January.
Disclaimer Information posted here or on our Twitter feed usually reflects what we have received notice of. These will never be the o nly options available, nor are they our sole recommendations!
@BablakeCareers
IN YOUR DIARY
CAREERS FORUM…
…NEXT TERM
Thursday 7 December 1pm (Careers Centre)
Professor David Higgins – Birmingham City University: ‘A Career in Property – More Than Bricks and M ortar.’
Enyi Ogbuneke’s session on Social Enterprise has been rearranged for the New Year to offer our students greater insight into his outstanding ‘Love For The Streets’ social enterprise.
We are talking to contacts with expertise in finance and accountancy, law, nuclear medicine and a number of other areas.
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This will be the 7 Careers Forum of the term. How many have you attended? How many will you attend? Should you be curious? Should you come and listen to talks about options or professions you have not heard about before?
Please let us know Career areas you would like to discover more about, as we look to plan our Spring/ Summer programme. Please take advantage of these sessions to: • Confirm careers interests. • Expand your ideas. • Extend your curiosity. Email mgw@bablake.coventry.sch.uk to book a place, once the new programme is launched.
Bring your own lunch. Squash and biscuits will be provided!
Don’t forget to collect a free #18Before18 planner from the Careers Centre -‐ designed by The Jade Studio & Mollie O’Sullivan.
ESSENTIAL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
BABLAKE CAREERS CONVENTION – Thursday 1 February (6pm -‐ 8.30pm) ‘What Next? What Career Live?’ (NEC) – Friday 2/ Saturday 3 March (Free, but book tickets in advance) www.whatcareerlive.co.uk/birmingham/who-‐will-‐be-‐there ‘Study Abroad’ Fair – Wednesday 14 March (Bablake): registration (5th year) & Life Choices (L6th). (Part of ‘International Education’ week.)
QUOTATION OF THE FORTNIGHT
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‘Every step, no matter how tiny, is a step forward’ – Holly Brockwell, Gadgette founder.
SCHOOL INFO
Mr Mark Woodward
Twitter @bablakecareers FB www.facebook.com/bablakecareers Website www.2morrow-‐2day.com LinkedIn www.linkedin/markwoodward Blog http://bablakecareers.tumblr.com/ Spotify http://www.spotify.com/18before18