Careers Catch Up
what is your next step?
- Staff focus - Miss Curtin
- options after sixth form
- What is teamwork?
- Discover Computing
- hear from a PF Old girl
- careers competition
The summer is here, the flowers are blooming, and the school is buzzing with adrenaline as the exams are in progress.The Lower Sixth are starting their applications to university or other options. Many of them will be undertaking TEFL training to Teach English as a Foreign Language, along with some boys from Eton. Our lectures have continued, with external speakers attending to give talks to the students about TV Production, Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Gene Research and Gap Years.
The Fourth Form all participated in an Enterprise Challenge to design a new entrance to the Sixth Form House and the judges were impressed with their excellent ideas. Final preparations are underway for Futures Day, when ten external speakers will be talking to the students about different industries. Enterprise Club has been opened up to the First Form who ran a stall at the Colour Run. It is great to involve all students in the school in Careers and Enterprise from a young age in order that they develop invaluable employability skills for the future.
If you would like to have a chat about careers or your subject options then please just let Mrs Wilson know - by popping into the Careers Office, or Sixth Form Boarding House, or send her an email at kwilson@priorsfieldschool.com
Competencies and Skills TEAMWORK
One of the nine Employability Skills that employers like their employees to have is Teamwork. This is important in any job where you are working with other people.
There are many situations at work when you will need to interact with other people, such as with your colleagues and clients. Having good teamwork skills will help you to complete tasks efficiently and create an enjoyable working environment. You can focus on developing your Teamwork skills by asking for feedback, setting personal goals, practising and observing others.
You might like to read more about Teamwork here: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/teamwork-skills
Options after Sixth Form: Chartered Institutes
Chartered Institutes are professional bodies for an industry, dedicated to the development of their profession.
It can benefit you to join a Chartered Institute for your industry to demonstrate your experience, to inspire confidence, to stay current and to champion ethical issues. You may also decide to take professional qualifications to further your knowledge and enhance your CV.
Chartered Institutes in the UK include the: Chartered Institute of Marketing, Chartered Institute of Archaeologists, Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy and Chartered Institute of Building Engineers. Some of our Lower Sixth will be taking the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 3 qualification here at Prior’s Field in September.
Interested in Chartered Institutes? Follow this link for further information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_professional_ associations_in_the_United_Kingdom
In each edition we will hear from a member of staff about their career journey and hear what they have to say about how and why they are in the job they are today.
In this issue we hear from Miss Gemma Curtin,Teacher of Textiles
Have you always been a teacher?
During the second year of my degree (Fashion Promotion and Illustration) I was offered an opportunity to work at ITV’s London Studios part time as a Wardrobe Assistant. My job was primarily to go through the wardrobe archives and pick out and prepare costumes for the different productions being filmed for ITV as well as assisting the make-up artists and production teams. I worked there for a couple of years alongside freelancing for the BBC whilst completing my degree. After graduating, I decided to move into Fashion Buying and worked for the clothing retailer Whistles before moving into Teaching.
What skills do you think help you to succeed in your career?
A combination of patience, resilience and self-belief! The technical stuff you can pick up along the way, but if you don’t believe in yourself and your abilities, you won’t get very far.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
This advice is for all young people: you don’t have to have it all figured out straight away! Life has a way of presenting opportunities your way when you least expect it. Take risks and go for things, even when they seem ‘beyond you’. Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith and realise you can just take things one day at a time until you reach your goal.
What do you love about your job?
The Fashion Industry is incredibly competitive and quite impersonal at times, my move into teaching completely changed the way I work and my sense of job satisfaction. Working in teaching you get to meet the most fascinating people. Nurturing young talent and having the ability to pass on your passion for your subject is so satisfying. I love to see the students I teach go on to careers in creative industries or even just discover the joy of being creative!
Careers Competition!
Did you know that Harry Styles used to work in a bakery?!
Find out about 3 other celebrities who used to do a different job to the one they are famous for and email your answers to Mrs Wilson for a prize!
Work Experience –Part Time Jobs
One of the most valuable ways to gain experience and contacts is to get a part time job – and you earn money at the same time! Young people are allowed to undertake part-time paid work from the age of 13. Exceptions to this rule include roles in child modelling, TV, or theatrical performance. However, children working in these fields will need to obtain a performance licence.
The hours you would be able to work are restricted to certain times and vary between term-time and during the school holidays. The types of jobs that are popular for young people to undertake include: dog walking and cat sitting, baby sitting, washing cars, retail work and delivering newspapers. Make sure that you check that you are being paid at least the minimum wage for under 18 year olds.You can search for jobs for young people in local papers or through reputable job websites such as uk.indeed.com and reed.co.uk
For further information, visit: https://www.acas.org.uk/young-workersapprentices-and-work-experience
Opportunities
Unifrog is the Careers platform used by students in the Fourth to Sixth Form. Scan the QR code to explore your career options. www.unifrog.org
Belinda Kingston
Junior Doctor specialising in Medical Oncology
PF Old Girl: 1997 - 2002
A Levels: Biology, Chemistry and Geography
Bristol University to study Physiology followed by an undergraduate medical degree
Find out what it takes to work in Cancer Research from Belinda Kingston
https://community.priorsfieldschool. com/news/old-girl-of-the-yearaward/101/101-Old-Girl-of-the-YearWinner-2022-Belinda-Kingston
FEATURED SUBJECT: Computing and where it can take you
With all the news regarding the developments in AI recently, it is evident that computing and technology are going to be fast-growing industries in the future. The number of female students being accepted onto computing degree courses has grown by 23% since 2019 – a higher percentage increase than any other degree subject. However, only about 22% of tech specialists are women – so we still need more of you in the industry! During the pandemic, we all experienced first-hand the importance of technology. It is now being used more in our daily lives for people to work, socialise, track their running and dance to TikTok! Be the change you want to see - what apps could you design to make a difference in the future...?
For more information, visit this link: https://www.computerscience.org/resources/women-incomputer-science/
