Pipers Corner School Career Newsletter | February 2023

FUTURE FORWARD

ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD...

Welcome to the second edition of the Pipers Careers Newsletter. This time round we are focusing on getting to grips with Apprenticeships and the alternative pathway they offer We focus on Law as a career - always a very popular aspiration for students here - and talk to a Pipers alumnae currently training to become a solicitor to hear what's involved and what skills are key In terms of workplace skills, we examine the importance of communication skills and their role in professional environments, and a new infographic outlines the job market in Buckinghamshire

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY TRIP TO SONY'S UK TECHNOLOGY CENTRE (PENCOED)

During our visit to Sony we spent some time in the robotics labs and rapid prototyping department wherewesaw3Dprintingdevelopmentandmanufacturinginaction TheSonydevelopmentteamspent lots of time with us detailing what it took to move into the STEM field of design and manufacturing whilstunderstandingthedemandsofthebusiness WealsoenjoyedseminarsonJapaneseculturewitha practicalmakingexercise,andkeyemployeesdemonstratedhowtheSonyUKoperationworksandthe benefitsoftheirworkingmodel

OneofmyfavouriteaspectsofthetripwasgettingtotalktoSony’syoungapprentices,someofwhom haveonlyjustcompletedGCSEs,givinguslotstothinkaboutforownnextsteps

The Managing Director made an appearance and shared some words of wisdom about his own career journey and what he wants to give back, with the provision of opportunities for young designers and engineers Thisclearlydemonstratedthatanengineercancomefromawidevarietyofbackgrounds All inallitwasagoodday-wehadalotoffunandlearntalot,andweregivenlotsofinspirationtothink aboutforthefuture

GeorgiaGlover,Year11

INSPIRATION

BUCKS SKILLS SHOW: 8 MARCH

The Bucks Skills Show has been wowing crowds and inspiring people to step towards their dream careers for years now, with the 2023 event scheduled for 8/9 March. It is the biggest event of its kind in Buckinghamshire, with over 120 businesses across a range of sectors – Disney Studios, Amazon and MK Dons to name but a few –gathering in Stoke Mandeville Stadium for two days of careers inspiration, featuring interactive stands, shows and talks. Parents & students (Y9 and up) can book in for free tickets on the evening of 8 March and its a great opportunity to talk directly to employers, ask about local work experience and gain inspiration on the wide range of careers available in our area. What more information? Find out more.

NATIONAL CAREERS WEEK: MARCH 6 - 12

This week in March is a national celebration of Careers inspirationacrossthecountry,withonlinespeakerevents andavirtualcareersfairforyoungpeopletoexplore.What youcandohereatPipers:

Challengeyoursubjectteacherstotalkaboutwherestudying theirsubjectmighttakeyouinthefuture

AskyourFormTutorabouttheirowncareerjourneyandthe choicestheymade:theyhaven'talwaysbeenteachers!

Talktoyourfamilyandtrytoidentifyyourownskills,anduse careerstools(suggestionstouseonthebackpage)tohelpyou matchyourskillstopossiblejobsandindustries

#Pipers #Pipers #Pipers

9to5 9to5 9to5

We made a podcast! As another way to inspire and inform you all about the world of work, we are launching Pipers9to5, with current students interviewing former students about the jobs and industries they have gone into The first episode is available now on the Pipers Radio app, and features Sixth Former Ciara interviewing alumnae Alex Stewart-Long about her job as a senior architect currently working in Hong Kong Alex passes on some great advice about what it

like studying Architecture at university, the importance of work experience and the value of being able to sketch in her industry It was great to hear her journey from Pipers classroom to construction site on the other side of the world! (if you don't have our Pipers Radio app, listen on Mixcloud here)

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.

If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle." Steve Jobs

is

APPRENTICESHIPS DEMYSTIFIED

What is an Apprenticeship?

Anapprenticeshipisapaidjobwheretheemployeelearns and gains valuable experiences. Alongside on-the-job training, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hourscompletingclassroom-basedlearningwithacollege, university or training provider which leads to a nationally recognisedqualification.

Anapprenticeshipincludes:

paidemploymentwithholidayleave hands-on-experienceinasector/roleofinterest atleast20%off-the-jobtraining formalassessmentwhichleadstoanationally recognisedqualification

Apprenticeshipsareavailableateverystageofyour educationandcareerjourneyafterYear11 Hereisa simplifiedbreakdowntohelpyourboggledbrain:

IntermediateApprenticeshipsarelevel2 qualificationsandareequivalenttoGCSEgrades4-9. Youwouldusuallydoanintermediateapprenticeship inatechnicalvocationsuchasMechanics,whereyou arelearningaspecifictechnicalskillthatyouhaven’t studiedbefore.

AdvancedApprenticeshipsarelevel3qualifications whichareequivalenttoA-levelorlevel3BTEC passes.YouusuallyneedadecentamountofGCSEs ingrades4-9toapplyforoneofthese.

HigherApprenticeshipsleadtolevel4qualifications andabove.Youwouldusuallyneedtohavealevel3 qualificationfirstbeforegoingintooneofthese apprenticeships.

DegreeApprenticeshipsinvolvegainingauniversity degreewhilstyouworkinanapprenticeshiproleand wouldbeequivalenttolevel6orabove

Leading degree apprenticeship providers in the UK include Amazon, the UK Government, NHS, Pharmaceuticals companies, and leading Engineering and Financial organisations such Pfizer, BAM Construct UK, Deloitte and PwC Explore industries where apprenticeships are available

Information on BBC Bitesize/Careers/Apprenticeships

Central government Apprenticeships information website with information for applicants, parents and employers

Latest Government list of Higher & Degree listings

Parent-focused resources on the Amazing Apprenticeships website

APPRENTICESHIPS DEMYSTIFIED

Hear from young people who chose the degree apprenticeship route in this short video from Warwick University

Is a degree apprenticeship a viable alternative to going to university?

University isn’t the right pathway for everyone but this shouldn’t limit your opportunities when it comes to securing your dream career. Some young people are keen to get out into the world of work straight after school, and a degree or higher apprenticeship could be a great way to make this first step

Degree level apprenticeships combine part-time academic study (usually at an agreed university or training provider chosen by the employer to match the needs of the job role) with the majority of your time spent with your employer in the workplace gaining hands on training and experience Your employer will also foot the bill for all your academic tuition fees at uni, meaning no student debt Degree apprenticeships typically take between three and six years to complete, depending on the course level and the industry

Its definitely not an easy option: competition is fierce for the limited number of places offered, and the application process can be lengthy and complex

However for a lot of industries (notably Business, Finance, IT, Engineering, Digital Marketing, Logistics, Allied Healthcare, even Law) a degree apprenticeship can offer a smart and highly cost-effective way to get ahead of the field!

Pros and cons of degree apprenticeships discussed in this UCAS film

Elbert Hubbard

American writer, publisher, artist and philosopher

"work to become, not to acquire"

WORK IT LIKE A

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION COMMUNICATION

What are communication skills?

Communication is the ability to give and receive information - both verbally and in writing - that is clear, well structured and targeted to the intended audience and tone of voice

Communication skills also include listening and questioning skills as well as non-verbal communication, such as eye-contact, body language and pace and tone of voice

Effective communication and interpersonal skills underpin everything, whether in the workplace or elsewhere Poor communication in a work environment can lead to misunderstandings, time being wasted or mistakes being made, all of which have the potential to be very costly to an organisation

In any working environment, you will work or liaise with others to at least some degree, whether these people are internal or external to your organisation. The ability to get along with others, put them at ease and win their trust and confidence is vital for the success of the organisation you are representing

If you feel like communication is one of your key strengths, you might want to find out more about industries including Teaching, Advertising, Copywriting, Law, Film & TV, the Diplomatic Service, Broadcasting, PR and Communications itself

All subjects at school will help develop your communications skills in different ways, as will as involvement in team sports and activities outside school But English, Drama and Languages will be particularly helpful for developing strong communication skills.

Lower Sixth,

Chatting to my cousin last summer about her new job as a Wedding Co-Ordinator, I found myself wondering if an Events Career would be something I would want to pursue She told me what her job entailed and it sounded very interesting. I then asked Mrs Rogers if there was any chance she had any contacts in Events to do some work experience. She put me in contact with a local company in Beaconsfield, called Mabrouka Events, and they invited me to spend a few days working alongside the Events team last December.

During my time at Mabrouka, I learnt how an Events Agency operates and I was surprised to learn how varied the work was. Whilst shadowing the Events Apprentice, I enjoyed learning how to find and book venues, book transport for the clients' guests (to get to them to the events), create invoices and provide quotes for possible future clients. I also took part in a Teams meeting with a supplier, to finalise the details for an upcoming event in Maidenhead.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Mabrouka and this experience has given me a really useful insight into the Events industry.

Rosie is keen to gain further events experience Do get in touch with mrs Rogers if you think you can help

Rosie H, in

is interested in a career in Events. Here's how she found out more:

LAW SECTOR INSIGHT

THINKING ABOUT A CAREER IN THE LEGAL SECTOR?

Law impacts every aspect of life so its a great career move with lots of opportunity. But its not all like Suits and other TV dramas, so do your homework and make sure you know what's involved There are a wide range of roles within the legal sector (eg solicitor, barrister, paralegal, company secretary, legal aid, high court judge) and wider justice system (eg law enforcement, Courts services, prison officer, Ministry of Justice) But studying Law doesn't just lead to becoming a lawyer: the transferable skills it brings can open so many doors, and in fact, a career in Law offers more diversity than almost any other profession Ultimately, a lawyer helps get results, so whether you are a barrister advising a multinational corporate client, a paralegal helping abuse victims obtain restraining orders, or a solicitor research a tax issue for a private client, the challenge of problem-solving can be highly rewarding (both intellectually and financially)

Are there lots of jobs out there? Lawyers have expertise and skills that make them highly employable in many different sectors, offering more diversity than many other sectors

Does it pay well? The legal profession is one of the highest earning professions in today's job market, with some top barristers and solicitors earning more than £1 million per year.

Have you got what it takes? Skills valued in Law include communication skills, analytical skills, problem-solving, diplomacy, persuasiveness and attention to detail. Confident speakers may favour roles with regular public speaking, but there are other roles that rely on strong research skills

MAIN AREAS OF LAW

CRIMINAL: Offences (sometimes violent) involving people or property People are accused of a crime are tried in magistrates' courts and crown courts

CIVIL: Conflicts between individuals within the community, decided by a judge in the county courts and the High Court Most laws we know are civil laws

NON-CONTENTIOUS: Commercial contracts, finance agreements, wills, conveyancing and many other areas where there is no dispute, which are also ruled over by a judge in teh county courts and the High Court.

LAW SECTOR INSIGHT

HOW TO BECOME A LAWYER:

Therearedifferentwaystobecomealawyer,althoughallinvolve achieving a number of specific degree-level qualifications and professionaltraining.

TheUniversitypathway:

Becoming a lawyer via the university route requires you to complete a qualifying undergraduate Law degree (LLB) before taking a Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) - currently more usually referred to as the GraduateDiplomainLaw(GDL)andLegalPracticeCourse(LPC)

If you applying to study Law at undergraduate level, most UK universities willaskyoutocompleteanadditionalexaminYear13beforemakingany courseapplications,calledtheLNAT(LawNationalAptitudeTest)

It is also accepted practice to study a non-law undergraduate degree in recognisedsubjectsatundergraduatelevel(egHistory,Philosophy,Politics, English, International Relations) and then embark on a one year law conversion course (PGDL - postgraduate diploma in Law) or an MA Law Conversion)beforesittingtheprofessionalexams

ThenextstepontheSQErouteistocompletetwoyearsofqualifyinglegal workexperience,whichcanincludeatrainingcontract,beforepassingthe SolicitorsRegulationAuthority(SRA)characterandsuitabilityrequirements Youcanthenapplyforadmissiontotherollofsolicitors

TheApprenticeshippathway:

It is also possible to complete a Solicitor Apprenticeship, which is a six-year, Level 7 programme aimed at A-level school leavers, paralegals and chartered legal executives On this pathway, you still get a degree qualification in Law, but you study this alongside real paid work in a law practice, and your employer will pay for all the university tuition fees. Find out more about law apprenticeships

FIND OUT MORE:

The Lawyer Portal LawCareers net

Guide to Careers in Law

Want to find out more? Watch a short film about how to become a lawyer, and the difference between a solicitor and a barrister

Becoming a barrister:

To become a barrister in England and Wales you need to complete at least three stages or components of training These include the academic component (law degree), vocational component (a Bar course, previously the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)) and pupillage also known as the work-based learning component After completing all training components you'll be ready to apply for tenancy as a self-employed barrister in chambers or go into practice as an employed barrister.

ALUMNAE SPOTLIGHT:

INDIA WHELPTON TRAINEE SOLICITOR

What years were you at Pipers?

I joined in LIV (Year 7) and left after Sixth Form in 2014

What subjects did you study at A Level?

I studied Religious Studies, Psychology, and Art & Design for A Level

What did you do after you left?

I studied Theology at Durham University, Hatfield College After my undergraduate degree I went on to complete the Teach First Leadership Development Programme. Whilst at Teach First I gained my Postgraduate Diploma in Education from University College London (UCL) I then took a gap year before starting Law School.

What are you doing now?

I am currently a trainee solicitor at Vinson & Elkins, an American Law Firm If you have seen Suits, (the TV show that Meghan Markle is in) my job is a bit like Mike Ross’s! Although without the drama! In short, I help senior lawyers prepare for going to court

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Each case I work on is extremely complex but that makes the job interesting and intellectually stimulating!

Was there any particular inspiration that led you to this career?

At Pipers and Durham University I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do It was not until I was participating in the Teach First Leadership Development Programme (a two year teaching programme) that I realised that I wanted to be a lawyer!

What kind of skills does your job involve?

To be a good lawyer you need good communication skills, analytical skills, people skills, perseverance and creativity.

You didn't choose to study Law as your first degree after leaving school; do you wish you had or do you feel it is just as valid studying other subject areas before going into a career in Law?

There are 11 trainee solicitors at Vinson & Elkins and not one of us studied Law at undergraduate! I think that says enough Study what you enjoy I loved Religious Studies at Pipers so that’s why I went on to study Theology at university.

What advice would you give to any current students thinking about a career in Law?

Start building up your CV now! Work in a cafe, volunteer at a charity shop, do the Duke of Edinburgh awards. All of these things are excellent ways of showing prospective emp you have the skills needed to be a lawyer!

SUBJECT SPOTLIGHT: CHEMISTRY

WHY STUDY CHEMISTRY?

Chemistry is everywhere in the world around you! It's in the food you eat, clothes you wear, water you drink, medicines, air, cleaners you name it So understanding Chemistry helps understand the entire world around us. Chemistry underpins knowledge and progress in almost every sphere of science, technology and industry. It also makes a vital contribution to the economy, commerce and industry, so studying chemistry provides global work opportunities. You could develop much needed medicines for patients, create energy generating buildings or make the air we breathe cleaner. Studying Chemistry at school develops strong transferable skills in problem-solving, research and analysis, enquiry and attention to detail, and is an essential A Level choice for any student wishing to progress to careers in Medicine, Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences or related bio-medical industries. And lets face it, experiments in Chemistry can also be good fun!

FAMOUS CHEMISTRY STUDENTS

Helen Sharman OBE, Britain's first astronaut

Rosalind Franklin, whose research led to our modern understanding of DNA

William Pitt the Younger, British C18 Statesman

Sir Trevor Phillips OBE, British writer & broadcaster

Marie Curie, first woman to win the Nobel Prize for her work on radioactivity

Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft & Wizardry

to inspire the next generation, The Royal society of chemistry has produced a series of short films demonstrating exciting jobs and research opportunities in their industry

START PLANING YOUR OWN FUTURE

The best way to get ahead is to do your research! There are lots of really useful information sites out there for you to find out more about different jobs and industries and work out what you need to do to get to there.

Try some of these:

BBC Bitesize/Careers Prospects

Morrisby Creative Careers

Bucks Skills Hub

You can also arrange a one to one advice meeting with the school Careers Advisor, Mrs Rogers by sending an email or ask your form tutor to arrange a meeting

"the dictionary is the only place that success comes before work"

Vince Lombardi

American football coach