GFM Careers Talk initiative

Career KICK-START

The new GFM Careers Talk allows students to learn from professionals who have made a career from the subjects they are studying...

WHO better to learn from than someone who has made a career at the subject you are studying? Wise words and also the rationale behind the new GFM Careers Talk initiative. Started by Brune Park science teacher Alex Ricketts, the idea is to have successful industry professionals address pupils about their careers. It gives students the chance to ask about education and careers paths but also helps to remind them that not everyone just lands in their dream job. After a series of talks in the science department last year, the mantle has been grasped by the English department at Bay House. With the help of the GFM’s careers team, teacher Becky Anderson has organised three varied talks this term. The speakers include a former national newspaper journalist, a social worker turned author and a historian. There are now plans to roll out across all subjects. Becky said: “I am really proud to be building on Alex’s excellent work. “It really helps for students to hear about a career from someone who is not their teacher, it makes it real and is really powerful. “All of our speakers got to their dream careers in a really unconventional way which helps students stay motivated and gives them belief they can achieve.”

Work experience continues — remotely

If you thought that work experience for students would have to take a seat during the lockdown then think again. The GFM careers team have managed to place 23 students during the February half term at international renowned companies including Spotify, Santander and Wates. The online placements give students a real view of what life is like in the working world as well as how organisations are adapting to the pandemic. GFM career guru Sara Heaysman explains: “The real advantage of the online work experience placements is that they enable students to experience companies they would never normally engage with for geographical reasons. “It would have been totally impossible for us to have four students engaged in a week’s physical work experience at Spotify, for example.” The GFM is also partnering with the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership to pilot a scaled up virtual work experience. Sara continues: “We are currently working to recruit a range of employers who will be able to offer three-day experiences, including some from our own business network. “We have also contracted to provide a broader online programme for students who don’t wish to apply for a place with a single company, giving them the chance to engage with employees from many different companies as well as participating in a work-based project. “We recognise the real value of employer encounters for our students and are working hard to ensure that even in these strange times students are able to experience a workplace in some form.” Meanwhile, our student mentoring programme in partnership with Brightside will return following last year’s success. Up to 150 students will be offered industry insight mentoring linking them with their career preferences. Lower Sixth students will also get bespoke mentoring support form university undergraduates interested in higher education ahead of UCAS choices. Sara added: “This will give individuals the opportunity to explore their options

We are working hard to ensure that even in these strange times students are able ” to experience a work place in some form.

more fully and build confidence about their future direction. “We are really looking forward to getting the programme running in the spring and early summer, with more news coming later on potential mentoring for our younger students at the end of the academic year.”