Last week, we celebrated National Careers Week. Our Professional Guidance Centre hosted a range of fantastic activities to support students and their futures.
Pupils attended university talks, a workshop with Spirax Sarco, a CV writing lesson and so much more. Keep reading to see what they took part in.
Tuesday 11th February
At Law Day, we got to hear about different career paths in law and learn about areas like family, corporate, and employment law. The speakers from legal firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys shared their experiences, which gave us a better idea of what working in law is really like.
After that, we took part in a mock trial, which was a fun way to put what we learned into practice. There were students from All Saints Academy there too, so it was a great chance to meet new people and work together.
Bethany, SFC1
Monday 3rd March
We had the privilege of welcoming a representative from the Undergraduate Admissions Office at UCL to give a talk regarding admissions to UCL.
It was very insightful, and his honest and comprehensive discussion gave us an accurate picture of life and admissions at UCL, from the academics and formalities to the campus and social life. As a result, this talk empowered us to make the right choices for one's own self, and we hope to welcome them back again.
Nadia, SFC1
Monday 3rd March
Combining CLC’s US university provisions with the celebrations of National Careers Week, we were delighted to virtually welcome Shane McGuire, Senior Associate Director of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Vanderbilt University.
The talk provided a thorough and engaging overview of the admissions process, making it valuable for both students and parents. Shane’s presentation covered key topics such as the holistic review process, how students should showcase their academic achievements and extracurricular involvement, and the importance of ‘fit’ in selecting a university.
Vanderbilt has a vast range of academic opportunities available from research to their interdisciplinary programmes, and their collaborative and supportive environment.
After Shane’s presentation, parents and students had the chance to ask questions on topics ranging from admission requirements to student life and housing options in Nashville. The session was incredibly informative and an excellent opportunity for prospective students and their parents to gain a deeper understanding of what makes Vanderbilt a unique and thriving community.
We are so grateful to Shane who was able to give up an hour of his time during a busy period in the admissions office to join us virtually.
Miss McCarthy, Global Universities Adviser
Monday 3rd March
During Career’s Week, the PGC Department put on a webinar that focused on careers in the digital world. The key speakers were our very own Mr Fayter (Teacher of Computer Science) and Gemma Moore from Cyberis. The webinar was incredibly insightful. As someone who aspires to work in tech in the future, it was fascinating to hear different journeys each individual took to the career they have today. It was an answer that emerged during the Q&A: the recognition that technology advances at a relentless pace, each breakthrough bringing on a new challenge to either adapt to or fall behind and providing a constant pursuit of knowledge.
This webinar was more than a taste of the different career opportunities; it was proof of the possibilities in the digital world.
Grace, SFC2
Tuesday 4th March
All UC4s attended a workshop led by Spirax Sarco at the HFC in the morning. I found it very eye-opening as I had never attended something like it before.
We were put into groups of 10 and asked to create a project to regenerate an old building in Cheltenham. We had around 80 minutes to plan it and were assigned different roles like project manager, finance manager, engineer manager, operations manager and graphics and communications manager.
My group decided to regenerate a building into a premium, high-end wellness centre, with puppy yoga and pilates sessions. As an engineer manager, I worked with the other engineer manager in my group to build and design a prototype with cardboard, scissors and glue guns, as well as write up a benefits analysis on the project.
After the time was up, we had to present our proposal to two members of Spirax Sarco to be judged. After that, we had a mini quiz on general knowledge and things we’d learnt. We also had the opportunity to hear from a panel of people from Spirax Sarco, which included five varying backgrounds, about the routes they took to work at Spirax Sarco, as well as some of their advice. This was very enlightening as it made me realise the importance of soft skills like interpersonal skills.
After the judging, we listened to the presentation of the winning group in order to learn from the areas that they did best in, which I found very useful. I thoroughly enjoyed the session and I learnt about the processes it took to create a project as well as the different things that people with different roles had to do during a project.
Danielle, UC4
Read more about this year’s Spirax Sarco Workshop.
Tuesday 4th March
The AMDA workshop was such an amazing experience, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone interested in drama as well as performing arts!
From the start, I felt super welcomed by the instructor and the other participants. We worked on a lot of things, like improvisation, which really helped me think quickly and get creative on the spot. We also played around with different ways to perform words, phrases, and movements, which helped me understand how to add more meaning and emotion to every part of a performance. The instructor was really hands-on, giving us personal feedback that helped me improve and grow. The whole vibe was supportive and encouraging, so I felt comfortable pushing myself outside my comfort zone.
Overall, it was such a great experience, and I’m leaving feeling more inspired and confident. If you get the chance, you should definitely consider signing up!
Fifi, UC4
Wednesday 5th March
As part of National Careers Week, the PGC hosted an incredibly helpful CV writing workshop, offering practical tips and strategies for crafting a standout CV. Students from UC5-SFC2 learned how to effectively highlight their skills, experiences, and accomplishments.
The workshop covered key topics such as formatting, and how to quantify achievements to make a stronger impact. This was a valuable opportunity for students to refine their CV’s and ensure they are putting their best foot forward in the job market.
Miss McCarthy, Global Universities Adviser
Thursday 6th March
As a professional art historian, it was a pleasure to take part in the Creative World webinar organised by the PGC for National Careers Week. Speaking alongside acclaimed conceptual and visual artist Kate Daudy, and jazz singer and Guild member Tilly Clark, this was a wonderful opportunity to share with students our insights and experiences from across our respective careers.
Not only did the event highlight the incredible range of options on offer in the creative industries, but it also touched on the many platforms – including exhibitions, publications, live performances, teaching, and online media – that have been employed by the contributors in disseminating their work.
Whilst all agreed that ambition and perseverance were essential in the creative industries, it was clear that this could lead to career that was fulfilling, dynamic, and open to diverse possibilities. In a fast paced and ever-changing world, the adaptability of creativity certainly has much to offer.
The Creative World webinar provided fascinating insights into art history, visual art, and jazz music. Dr Beard’s shift from academia to teaching, Tilly Clark’s (former CLC student) journey from studying Spanish to becoming a jazz musician, and Kate Daudy’s experiences as a visual artist were all inspiring.
A key takeaway resonated deeply: to sustain creativity while pursuing art as a career, having a backup plan is crucial. Only with this in mind can creativity truly be maintained. I’m incredibly grateful to the PGC team for hosting such an amazing event! - Sarah, SFC2
Dr Beard, Head of History of Art
At CLC, we know education is about more than gaining grades. From higher education and career advice, to employability and networking workshops, the PGC helps each student find the career path that is right for them as an individual.
Learn more about our Professional Guidance Centre and how they support students by listening to the Cheltenham Ladies’ College Podcast below:
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