In January, the Oundle School Careers Department hosted its ninth annual ‘Ask the Experts’ event with pupils from the Fifth Form, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth (Years 11-13) invited to attend this informal, drop-in event to talk to a large number of highly successful professionals representing a range of industry sectors and careers.
Head of Careers, Emma Aubury, commented “We are so fortunate to have such a talented and diverse parent body from which our experts generously volunteer each year. This year, our pupils had the opportunity to talk to the British Ambassador to Sweden, an Army Brigadier, the Head of Trading for Boots plc (UK and Eire) and an advertising creative director, as well as a number of representatives from a range of different aspects of the legal, medical, engineering, real estate and financial professions and academia. In addition, from more niche professions, we hosted a commercial helicopter pilot, a digital media publisher, an architect and an F1 chief engineer. This event coincides with the Fifth Form Parents’ Reception and is always very well attended. It provides a fantastic opportunity for pupils to ask questions about what a particular career involves and how best to get into it, as well as being a social occasion for pupils, parents and experts alike. We are very grateful to our experts for volunteering and to the pupils for showing such interest and enthusiasm.”
This networking event is always of great benefit to pupils in terms of informing their future decisions, making contacts and finding out what qualities companies are looking for in graduate recruits – particularly as the companies represented at the event are the very organisations that many of Oundle’s pupils will shortly be applying to for work experience, internships and graduate positions.
Many parents commented on the range and expertise of the various companies listed as well as praising the School’s ability to gather such high profile professionals in one place. The experts also added their praise for the pupils, who asked specific questions, demonstrating their engagement and willingness to learn more.
The Head, Mrs Sarah Kerr-Dineen, commented “I am tremendously grateful to the parents and others who contributed to such a lively and instructive afternoon. For pupils to have the opportunity to hear up-to-date, relevant information and advice on the wealth of careers they might consider is invaluable.”