College of West Anglia (CWA) students participated in a week-long series of events to celebrate National Careers’ Week 2020.

​The week-long foundation student event was centred around the theme of ‘Keeping it Real, Whilst Having Big Dreams’ and was planned in order to raise aspirations and highlight possible future careers to CWA students.

Model Talk

Over 100 students listened to a series of interactive talks over the week.  Jack Brumpton, a model from Cleethorpes, spoke to the students about his career as a male model with Down Syndrome. Jack has featured in the latest edition of Hunger Magazine - a twice annual directory of Rankin's fashion photographs. In the magazine feature, Jack models clothes by Christian Dior, Fendi, Moschino and Kenzo.

Jack advice to the students was: “It’s great to follow your dreams but it is important not to forget about college work.” 

Jack is currently completing a level 1 Performing Arts qualification at the college alongside modelling. He hopes that by modelling he will change the way disability is viewed within the fashion industry and the wider community.

Music Gig

Triston Finnis, owner and founder of Twisted Melon Promotions came in and staged a music gig with two of their bands; Tom Lumley and the Brave Liaison and Dead Reynolds. The gig was followed by a Q and A where students were able to ask how they pursued their careers in the music business and how they reached their dream job, as well as discussing possible careers in the industry, from light and sound technicians to musicians, marketing and photography. CWA alumni, Sam Lance, also came in who now works for Twisted Melon Promotions as a videographer and media producer.

CWA Work Placement and Careers Co-ordinator, Hayley Rudd, said:

“Brilliant afternoon inspiring our creative arts students with performances by two fantastic bands, followed by a Q&A session. Really appreciate Triston and the guys giving up their time so generously to talk about their experiences and offer advice to our musicians.”

Foundation lecturer, Gemma Doughty, said: “It was good for our students to have the opportunity to practice public speaking, and despite some of them being very nervous, they did it! At the end of the session the bands presented every student with CDs of their latest singles.”

Dead Reynolds said:  "We thoroughly enjoyed coming to the college and loved the reception we got.”

Tom Lumley said: "Thank you for having us there, we had a great day!”

McDonalds

Pat Saggers, People Manager from McDonalds came in with two colleagues, Wendy Williamson, Customer Experience Manager, and Evander Brown, Crew Training Manager to deliver a talk. They discussed different job roles within the company, as well as giving out leaflets and badges, and further information on how to apply for job roles within the company.

Pat Saggers said: “Wendy, Evander and myself really enjoyed meeting both staff and students at the college. We would like to wish them every success for the future.”

QEH

Leanne Lowe, Course Director of the Pathway’s Supported Internships came in to discuss the value and nature of supported internships. She was accompanied by Camiron Collison and Ashlyn Huggins who are both currently working as interns at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), King’s Lynn, while studying at the college.

Camiron said: “My confidence has grown massively since beginning the internship and I highly recommend the QEH as a great place to work with lovely people.”

Leanne said: “Supported internships can have a hugely beneficial effect on businesses, staff and the students involved.”

Ashlyn has worked on the Gayton Ward and is currently working within the on-site hairdressers where she is involved with greeting customers and serving refreshments along with washing their hair and doing some cleaning tasks.

She said: “My experience working at the QEH has pushed me to achieve more than I thought was possible!”

Tesco

Tesco Gaywood Tom Price and Chelsea Fresh Lead and People Partner managers delivered a talk to a group of 29 student about their careers and the opportunities available to students when they finish studying.

Beth Lunan, an Administrative Assistant at Aspires Day Centre also came in to discuss work experience and qualifications within the care sector. Aspires Day Centre fulfil contracts, making chair wheel castors and packaging greetings cards, which are sold in Harrods and across Europe and USA.

Beth said: “It was lovely to meet all of the CWA students. I hope my visit helps them to choose what they would like to do when they leave college.”

Gemma Doughty said:

“We are now at the end of National Careers Week and all the sessions went very well and were well received.”

Balfour Beatty

Other events taking place at the campus included Nicky Paine, Liaison Manager at Balfour Beatty, who visited the college to deliver a talk to Level 1 construction students regarding the work that Balfour Beatty do and routes into different careers within the construction industry.

Nicky said: “It was great to have the opportunity to speak to CWA construction students today about the exciting futures ahead of them in the industry, and to talk to them about what they need to start to consider to enter into a career in construction.”

Learning Resource Centre Challenge

The Learning Resource Centre challenged staff to share their career journey and experience that led them to the position they’re in now by posting short videos. Learners were also encouraged to get involved by sharing their career goals, including the progression routes they intend to take to achieve their goals.

Sports Campus

While at CWA’s Sports Campus based at Alive Lynnsport, a series of talks were delivered to CWA Sports students, including the Head of PE at Eastgate Primary Academy, Daniel Callaby, who discussed attending college, alternative pathways into teaching and why he chose his career. 

He answered questions about how he designs coaching for children of different ages, how he engages children who are not interested in sports and about his route into teaching.

CWA Principal, David Pomfret, said: “We have had a fantastic week of cross-campus lectures delivered to our students on a diverse and practical range of different subjects to celebrate National Careers’ Week. We would like to give special thanks to all of the local businesses, charities and organisations who have given up their time to inspire our students about future career opportunities and teach them invaluable employability skills.”

Cambridge Campus 

The series of events were planned in order to raise aspirations and highlight possible future careers to CWA animal care students who are looking to work in a variety of different industries, including zoo’s and wildlife parks, animal rescue, veterinary nursing, wildlife conservation and working with Therapy Dogs.

Over 100 students listened to talks delivered by a variety of different organisations throughout the week; including Shepreth Wildlife Park, Wood Green, The Raptor Foundation,  Pets as Therapy and Adventure Ally amongst many others.

Cara and Neil from the ‘Pets as Therapy’ Charity talking to students about how the dogs help people in various situations, and how he assesses the dogs to see if they qualify.

Dean Ward from Shepreth Wildlife Park discussing the roles and responsibilities involved in his job role as a Senior Zoo Keeper.

Elliot Hall and Katie Stubbs (Volunteer) from the Raptor Centre, a sanctuary for birds of prey based in St. Ives, talking about the work that they do on a day-to-day basis.

CWA Veterinary Nursing Work Placement Co-ordinator, Emma Robertson, spoke to students about her experience with veterinary nursing career options following university interviews and gave advice to prospective students considering this career option.

Adventure Ally, a zoology and conservation organisation, spoke to students about possible volunteering options and career routes. Alistair Sharp is a CWA alumnus who went on to start his own company.

CWA Work Placement Coordinator, Amanda Scarborough said: “ It was great to see many of the organisations that help support our students with their work experience, also being able to talk to other students about their roles.  There was a huge buzz around the campus with lots of inspiration being shared with all our students”.