July 19 - Message from Miss Jobbins

It’s been a busy last term for Careers, the highlight being the Year 12 Post-18 Events. Thursday 27^th June saw our successful alumni apprentice,  Kate Self, and her colleagues deliver a session on working as an apprentice for BT. Meanwhile Olivia James focused on how students could set up a Linked In profile to make themselves more employable. The afternoon saw some 16 alumni speakers present to students on their career areas including Finance, Civil Service, Police, Fashion and Merchandising, Healthcare, Business and Gaming. Some of the alumni stayed on for the Careers Network Evening, and were joined by others from Law, Teaching and Sales professions and more. Parents and Students were able to network and attended talks on UCAS delivered by Mr O’Neill, while I spoke of The Value of Work Experience and how arrangements for Year 12s are overseen. These are available to view on the school website, and a selection of the alumni presentations are available on the Careers and Employability pages of Moodle.

At Friday’s events students heard from Joanna from Kent University discussing ‘Why Go To University’ and Student Finance. A Degree Apprenticeships talk from Rebekah our Apprenticeships Team representative was followed up with an apprenticeships registration session, a week later for those interested in applying to apprenticeships as well as making applications to university. In-house activities included team building exercises and how to write a successful personal statement. Students ended the events by very bravely presenting their pitches for greener energy solutions for BP to ‘Company CEO’ Mrs Horstrup, very limited on patience and time!

Students dressed to impress in attending their mock interviews arranged by Mr Price, over the two days, whereby our alumni in areas from Medicine to Economics and other employees from outside organisations kindly volunteered to come in to carry out the interviews. Students were allocated to the area of interest they filled out a job application for.

Thanks to all those that attended the events, and to the staff, alumni and volunteer students who helped make these events such a success. It was really good to see the alumni made to feel so welcome and catching up with teachers they spoke so highly of. All have agreed to work with us again in future, while students have commented that they were helpful, friendly and informative. Many students commented that they enjoyed finding out about travel and GAP year options for the first time, feel more informed on university and apprenticeships and have created Linked In profiles. Others have arranged careers meetings to discuss their university planning, apprenticeships and work experience.

I look forward to continuing to work with the alumni in the new academic year, to bring more opportunities to students and of course always welcome careers meetings on Wednesdays and Thursdays, for those that have a chance to self-reflect over their summer break!

I will be at school on A Level and GCSE Results Days to offer Careers Information, Advice and Guidance particularly to those who may be reconsidering their plans based on their results. Last year I was able to provide support, alongside other staff present, to those who had just missed out on the points needed to remain at sixth form and discuss alternative options. I will no doubt finish A level Results day, watching the news of others around Kent collecting their results, and proud to have completed my first full academic year here at RMGS.

Miss Jobbins
Careers and Employability Advisor

Attached is the Powerpoint on the value of work experience from 27th June 2019