Careers Dept

Careers Department Careers Department News

the sector is set to grow rapidly, especially as many companies vow to build back better after the Covid-19 pandemic and tackle the challenges of climate change. The twin incentives of labour market resilience and work with a meaningful impact should make this sector attractive to many of our students.

Alex Smith

On Monday 21st

September the Careers and Higher Education

department hosted its first virtual event – ‘Considering a Career in…the Army’ for a

number of students in years 10-13. The format of the event was similar to the one which focused on careers in the media industry before lockdown – guest speakers sharing their professional experiences and then taking questions. Molly Coombes (OB 2012) studied Spanish and Linguistics at the University of Sheffield before joining the Army and finding her place in the Intelligence Corps. Her honesty in revealing to students that she hadn’t known which career path to follow during Sixth Form and that the epiphany hadn’t happened until she was kneedeep in mud with the Sheffield University Officer Training Corps was reassuring for many. Jason Button, who leads Army Officer recruitment in the South West was able to give the students accurate and up-to-date information about application, selection and obligations in the Army. Many students expressed interest in the new format Army Internship which works somewhat like a GAP year opportunity. Its second virtual event –

‘Considering a Career in… the Environment and

Sustainability’ was held for a number of pupils in Years 10–Upper Sixth. The format of the event again involved guest speakers from the Old Bristolians’ community sharing their professional experiences ollowed by a Q&A session.

Lucy Eggleston (OB 2012) studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nottingham before working on sustainable composites as a Research Engineer and then moving into Environmental Policy Consultancy. Sarah Goodenough (OB 2014) read History at Oxford before completing a Masters in Environmental Technology then working for Global Optimism on projects run by the United Nations.

Their journeys into the Environmental and Sustainability sector were not direct, both of them being influenced by meeting the right interesting people at the right times.

A view they both shared is that The students were able to ask questions via the chat function or through their microphone after lifting their ‘electronic hand’ and the format facilitated conversation with ease. Our students are now completely at ease with using MS Teams to participate in events such as these and this in itself will improve their preparedness for the changing work landscape. Overall the events were a success due to generous guest speakers and the ability to adapt to new ways of working. The Careers and HE department look forward to arranging similar events for other career sectors in the future.

Alex Smith

Higher Education and Careers