Students at Ron Dearing UTC are gaining valuable insights to help open their eyes to the opportunities available to them after school thanks to a new programme which is providing the inside scoop on a wide variety of careers.
The school has launched a new ‘Lunch and Learn’ programme for the 2024-25 academic year to equip students with valuable insider knowledge on job roles across a range of industries.
Students from all year groups are invited to attend the sessions and hear from industry experts about their personal career journeys.
The sessions aim to shed light on the essential skills, qualifications and personal qualities students need to access roles in the guest speaker’s field, as well as highlight career pathways and progression routes.
The teenagers will also gain valuable insights into the speakers’ roles, including challenges and rewards of the job, what a typical day looks like and much more.
Lisa Regan, Assistant Principal: Professionalism said: “The strong support from both students and the professional community has made the launch of our Lunch and Learn programme a resounding success.
“This initiative provides enhanced access to excellent careers advice and guidance for our students, allowing them to explore diverse career paths and gain valuable insights from professionals from diverse backgrounds.
“By connecting students with industry experts, we are further enriching their career exploration opportunities, opening their eyes to possibilities they may not have otherwise considered, which will undoubtedly significantly impact their future choices.
“We’ve been incredibly encouraged by the level of student engagement, with students actively choosing to attend these sessions, expressing their gratitude to the volunteers and asking insightful questions.”
Since the programme launched in September, sessions have already featured talks from an Accountant, Bid Writer, Mental Health Nurse and Clinical Lead Nurse, with the first session of the Spring term featuring a talk from an NHS GP.
Year 10 student Megan Huntington has attended two of the sessions from professionals working in medical fields.
She said: “I’m still unsure exactly what I want to do after school so the Lunch and Learn sessions have given me the chance to look at a range of options that are open to me and help me start thinking about what areas I am most interested in.”
Year 12 student, Jim Hagar has also attended a number of the sessions to find out more about career pathways.
They said: “I’m undecided on what I want to do after completing my A Levels, as I’m interested in both the medical field and English, so having the opportunity to hear from people working in both those areas has been really useful and I’m especially looking forward to the journalism talk.”
Fellow Year 12 student Cameron Smith added: “My goal is to become a surgeon so I’ve attended both the nursing and GP talks. They’ve both been really helpful and insightful.
“It’s especially interesting to hear about a day in the life of professionals from various fields and how they reached their current roles.”
Upcoming sessions will feature talks from professionals including a Flight Lieutenant, Journalist, R&D Associate, Professor in Computer Science and many more.
Concluding, Lisa added: “We’re incredibly grateful for the generous contributions of our local professional volunteers, whose insights and experiences are invaluable. Their commitment to supporting the next generation is truly inspiring.
“We’re excited to continue building upon this success, expanding the programme and inviting even more professionals to share their expertise, ensuring our students are well-equipped to navigate their future career paths.”
If you are a professional interested in sharing your career journey with our students, please contact Lisa Regan at [email protected] to express your interest.