ISSUE 13 – Fri day 27 April 2018
With apologies to 70s vocal trio Love Unlimited , ‘It may be winter outside, but inside our Careers Department, it’s spring’ as we began a busy term with an excellent forum last week on medical school admissions.
EVERY CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE IS HELPING YOU
Pupils invariably ask us about the advantages of studying particular subjects. It is inevitable subjects and disciplines may steer students towards certain career areas and some professions request the study of specific subjects. However, have you ever considered how every subject offered within the Bablake curriculum teaches 18 skills every employer would value in their ideal employee?
1. Public Speaking and Presentation/ Performance
2. Research Methods
3. Data Analysis and Tailored Reflective Report Writing
4. Project Management
5. Time Management
6. Attention to Detail and Professional Practice
7. Negotiat ion and Language Skills
8. Conflict Resolution
9. Creative Thinking
10. Critical Thinking
11. Problem Solving
12. Calculated Risk-Taking
13. Failing… and Learning How to Improve
14. People Management
15. Effective Team Work and Supporting Others
16. Leadership Opportunities
17. Competition, Target Setting and Ambition
18. Impact/ Financial Planning and Reward
Seeing evidence of these 18 highly desirable skills in every subject on offer means pupils are able to choose those they love and have an aptitude for, with the confidence of future-proofing their employability. Of course, co-curricular activities add even more punch to everyone’s skillset! #18Before18 #SkillsForYourFuture #RealisingYourPotential
ROBOT RECRUITERS
Students have another reason to be cautious about employers, as more companies are reportedly using ‘robots’ in the early stages of their recruitment.
It is not unusual for students to be asked to record, by webcam, answers to questions posed on screen by an actor or graphic! Answers are then analysed versus certain criteria: e.g. key words, concise argument, confidence and micro -expressions.
We are investigating the help ‘Barclays Life Skills’ may offer in practising this interview method.
CAREERS FORUM 14 – MEDICAL SCHOOL ADMISSIONS
Former pupil, Kian Patel, a current Cardiff University medical student - who has completed 3 years of his course and spent 2017-18 pursuing his intercalated degree in Medical Education and a project looking at the gender balance in applications to medical schools – led a very informative session which 14 of our Lower Sixth attended.
As well as offering specific advice about Cardiff’s course, Kian succinctly explained the differences between traditional, problem-based learning (PBL), case- based learning (CBL) and integrated degrees. His advice on how to write a personal statement, the purpose of the UKCAT and BMAT exams, reflective work experience and acing any interview clearly was invaluable preparation for our aspiring medics.
FIFTH YEAR CV CHALLENGE 2017-18
Last year an impressive 60% of the year group took part in our annual CV Challenge, which, while in some regards a very traditional / old school activity, invariably proves itself excellent, immediate assistance for Sixth Form scholarship applications and any attempts at gaining part-time work.
This year, the impressive professional enthusiasm shown by a quarter of the year group who met the CV Challenge deadline, at the end of a tiring Autumn term, was supplemented by 100% attendance at workshops held to highlight excellent practice and peer-assess all entries. All applicants were then keen recipients of specific individual advice on how to add further quality to future competitive exercises.
There may well not be a perfect CV, however emphasis was put on the need to produce a professional, targeted, high quality application. Attention to detail, effective layout, concise text, and cogent marketing of skills and talents with effective stress on the most relevant qualities suiting the job applied for were once again key factors when we discriminated between the most and least effective applications.
After assessing the method of delivery, and the layout/ content in the covering letter and CV, we are delighted to announce the winner of this year’s CV Challenge - and recipient of a £10 gift card of her choice - is: Ellie Aitchison. While Ellie’s submission, like all entries, had areas to be strengthened, her overall application was professional, targeted and stood out for exactly the right reasons. Well done!
We were delighted to be able to highlight aspects of pleasing professional practice in all the applications and trust the exercise proved beneficial. Those who did not take part should be aware they need to make up ground with their peers. They have the talent to d o so, but…!
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY’S ‘ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE’ (MARCH 2018)
A report by Lower Sixth student Georgia Ementon, who has also been accepted for a Headstart course later this summer.
“Last month, I was lucky enough to be accepted for Loughborough University’s highly regarded Engineering Experience course. It was a two-day residential, where I experienced different branches of engineering with the hope that this would help me decide which was the right one for me.
On the first day, we were separated into groups where we attended different workshops. Architecture was my first workshop; the leaders of the course explained what was involved in this degree and we were set a task to design and construct a building joining the Physics department to the main university. This was challenging, fun and a lot more creative than I had imagined.
During the course, we had a great opportunity to exp erience the university: for example, lunch was served in the West Park teaching hub, one of many excellent food facilities across the campus.
The next workshops were automotive and aeronautical, both of which I had looked forward to. When my knowledge was tested d uring the automotive workshop, I was pleased to discover I actually knew quite a lot about the workings of vehicles. Aeronautical was really interesting too - we were able to build and then fly our own planes, after learning what was needed to ensure a safe flight! In every workshop, the degree course content was carefully explained and I can safely say that civil engineering is not for me.
Day 2 consisted of talks given by representatives from Rolls Royce and HS2 Ltd. These presentations were extremely informative and interesting, especially as we learnt about specific roles within the companies. Rolls Royce explained about testing, describing how objects were thrown into jet engines to monitor outcomes and then use the findings to improve performance, durability and safety – all most reassuring.
During the evening, current undergraduate students looked after us and entertained us with quizzes and challenges. My accommodation was a small room with a basin, desk, wardrobe , single bed and a goodsized window. I had not known what to expect regarding accommodation, but I left with firm ideas on how to choose suitably for a four-year course.
Overall my experience at Loughborough was extremely positive and I would definitely recommend this residential to anyone interested in engineering, even those who feel they have already decided which branch to study. The Engineering Experience has definitely helped me decide which branches not to study and, while I am still open to many options, I am now leaning towards courses in general engineering with specialist study after two years, as well as exploring degree apprenticeship options.”
CAREERS DEPARTMENT FOOTNOTES
• Loughborough University - celebrating its 110 th year teaching engineering in 2019 - is currently ranked 6th in the Times Higher Education ‘Table of Tables’ and has been voted ‘Best Student Experience’ over the last 10 years (2007 – 2017).
• Any Fifth year pupils interested in engineering should check http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/school -collegeliaison/events/engexp/ or email engexp@lboro.ac.uk for further information.
• Applying for the ‘Engineering Experience’ is a competitive process and pupils need to a) meet all deadlines presented, and b) submit an excellent application form justifying how they will benefit from the course . Georgia’s excellent attention to her future plans has also included an application for a week’s work experience with Jaguar Land Rover.
