CAREERS NEWSLETTER 2017-18
ISSUE 9 – Friday 16 February 2018
In our latest newsletter, as well as advertising some excellent careers events taking place after half term, Joe Harty reports on this month’s Careers Convention and our former pupils reflect on their GCSE choices.
DID YOU MAKE THE RIGHT GCSE CHOICES? WORDS FROM OUR FORMER PUPILS The Spring Term is a notoriously anxious time for pupils choosing GCSE or A level options, especially with advice from teachers, parents and peers to weigh up. We asked our former pupils to offer objective advice for our Third Year pupils to reflect on and see whether they had got it right for them!
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Daniel wisely reminded pupils to check all course descriptions closely and consider the balance of exams and coursework. Many former pupils urged everyone to stay calm, very much in line with the cry of ‘choose life’ from Jenny who grew up with ‘Trainspotting’ (cert 18)! Of course, it was no surprise a certain former school captain, now teaching at Bablake, suggested Geography was the most interesting and most useful subject. This was soon countered by the History addicts and similar pleas for Religious Studies. There was a chorus of approval for languages too. Ian said: ‘Learn as many languages as you can - so important in life as well as work!’ He should know as his A in German saw him work for 5 Live as a producer at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Rob added: ‘More people are speaking English - and it’s the language of business - but it’s the social side that matters more. Being able to talk to people in their own language is very important.’ The vast majority of advice was to pick subjects ‘you like and make you happy’ (Alex) and that ‘genuinely interest you, as if you enjoy what you are learning about, then you are more likely to excel’ (Aaran). Approach and attitude would also usually outweigh aptitude, according to Rob. Executive Dean, Allison advised: ‘Choose subjects you enjoy, as you are more likely to reach your full potential. That said make sure you don’t make any choices that limit future choices. Science subjects are always well recognised and full of transferable skills. However, it is never too late to explore new directions.’ In fact, the consensus was definitely to choose the subjects you enjoy and are interested in, but keep options as open as you can. For those unsure of a future path, Faye said: ‘If you don't have specific requirements for a career and don't know what to choose, then pick subjects you are interested in. You'll gain transferable skills regardless of the subjects you choose.’ Thomas added: ‘Make sure you choose subjects that will help you choose relevant A levels in a field you feel like you want to go into later.’ His philosophy also allied with Lara who suggested: ‘See this as a stepping stone and an opportunity to specialise a little, but still be able to enjoy a wide range of subjects. Take the chance to choose subjects even if you don’t think they’ll relate to your current end goal. The time to specialise fully will come soon enough and you’ll end up missing being able to do a little bit of everything!’ Very importantly, Zain reminded pupils not to let anybody else tell them what to study and Andrew stressed that, even at 14, many pupils can clearly see some areas are simply not for them, so ‘be strong and avoid those’. Emily was another who stressed choosing subjects you enjoyed, but added: ‘Keep in mind it's good to have a nice balance to ensure you give everything your best shot.’ And remember that whatever your grades are, you are in control of your future. Charlotte’s immense wisdom confirmed this as she stressed how your choices will not shape and define the rest of your life anywhere near as much as your actions will! Suffice to say, very little has changed! Choosing subjects you may need, excel at and enjoy will offer many positive outcomes. More than ever, for the majority of Bablake teenagers, it is a certainty that their skills, curiosity, resilience and charisma will impress employers most.
JOE HARTY REPORTS ON THE 2018 BABLAKE CAREERS CONVENTION
At Bablake’s recent biennial Careers Convention, many of the attendees had their eyes fully opened to the dilemma of whether to choose an apprenticeship or a traditional university education. With the theatre packed with university representatives and rooms in the EDM showcasing many other opportunities, pupils and parents were urged to visit as many areas as they could to gain as broad a perspective as possible. Universities are currently most obviously suited towards getting a degree, a qualification that employers in many professions see as a necessity for landing a job or even an apprenticeship. One university I spoke to felt, along with the usual academic advantages, the ‘university experience’ of meeting new friends and finding some independence is a great upside. I was told the theory taught at university often cannot be replicated in apprenticeships and this theoretical study can be transferred seamlessly into the workplace. Another benefit proposed was the broad nature of many degrees, thereby allowing students a wider range of careers to choose from upon graduating. As a counterbalance, with direct honesty, several companies offering apprenticeships argued that, as we are in particularly uncertain times leading up to and after Brexit and considering 12% of the UK’s 4.5m young people are unemployed, an apprenticeship will be a game-changer for finding a job for the future. Whilst acknowledging the lure of universities, these delegates spoke of graduates with high-level degrees struggling to find work they had trained for and now relying on either state benefits or unrelated non-graduate level work. The biggest upside being touted by those promoting apprenticeships was not only the lack of tuition fees - since both the government and employers would fund apprenticeship training – but also the opportunity to receive a permanent job, a decent wage and specific, employment-friendly skills. Apprenticeships result in qualifications and at the highest level match the attainment of graduates and postgraduates. Both routes have their clear advantages, but the decision should come down to the career path wanted, financial viability, and possibly even a desire or tactical move to work at a specific company. The third and possibly more preferable option currently is the degree apprenticeship of course, where young people will experience both routes and enjoy all the advantages of each: training, qualifications, a wage, a job, student life and independence. For those who could not attend the 2018 Bablake Careers Convention, http://www.2morrow-2day.com/careers-convention.html will show links to the employers of those delegates who attended the event. All words and photographs by former pupil Joe Harty
@BablakeCareers
Bablake will be hosting the IE WEEK show on Wednesday 14 March 8.45am (5ths) 9.15am (Lower Sixth)
We were alerted to Student Ladder in 2014 by one of our Lower Sixth students and have found it an outstanding resources for pupils looking to gain work experience and attend insight days. 4 years later, we received our first formal advertising for the website in the post! See www.studentladder.co.uk for more information.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CAREERS EVENT Reasons why you should not miss this show on Saturday 3rd March, if in the 4th year and above.
Gives a unique opportunity to explore the options after school or college. Fully understand what type of apprenticeships are available from companies who are recruiting now. Speak to universities about what courses are on offer, the application process, and student life. Get a team together and take part in the STEM Challenge. Sign up for the Mock Assessment Centre and get expert advice and feedback. Aspiring musician, or just like watching live music? Check out the Buskers’ Corner. Bring along your CV and get feedback at The CV Clinic. Drop in to the Careers Advice Lounge for professional, independent advice. Sit in on a presentation: hear about working at the UK’s top companies in the Careers Theatre. Receive course advice in the University Theatre. Listen to a range of presentations on post-school life in the Student Advice Theatre.
THE REVIEW THE THURSDAY CAREERS FORUM This term, we have arranged the following 3 sessions: SESSION 10: The Perfect Covering Letter and CV We will report further on this session and our 5th Year CV Challenge once the formal 6th Form Scholarship application process has been completed in school. SESSION 11: BABLAKE CAREERS CONVENTION (2ND YEARS AND ABOVE) See p2-3 for Joe Harty’s excellent report on this event. SESSION 12: Alexandra Stevenson - Legal Ambassador for Northumbria University – Thursday 8 February Alexandra Stevenson from Northumbria University led an excellent session on Law for an audience of 4th, 5th and 6th Form students. She explained clearly how a law degree would be taught, delivered a mini lecture on ‘theft’, set out the difference between becoming a solicitor and barrister (as well as explaining the different training paths), gave notice of changes afoot in the profession and gave an exciting insight into Northumbria’s award-winning Law School, which houses a real courtroom, onsite law library, legal skills hub and law clinic.
We are currently booking sessions for after half term on financial mathematics, nuclear medicine and social enterprise. More info to follow.
A REMINDER! ‘BEYOND BABLAKE’ WEEK (L6th) – Monday 2 July to Friday 6 July All Lower Sixth students should be planning their schedule for this week. CREST/ EPQ research, work placements and university open day/ taster day visits are all suitable plans for the week.
THOUGHT OF THE FORTNIGHT ‘If you don't have specific requirements for a career and don't know what to choose, then pick subjects you are interested in. You'll gain transferable skills regardless of the subjects you choose.’ Faye Abbott
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