You’re never too young to start dreaming about the future. Role models visit primary schools to put the ‘early’ into early careers
Youth empowerment and social mobility Urban Synergy took four role models into two schools in June to open pupils’ eyes as to what they can do as adults.
Some 130 students from Eliot Bank and Gordonbrock Primary Schools learned about careers by meeting role models from TV production, technology, business and law. The aim was to inspire them to start thinking at this young age about their careers.
Opening young eyes to career options were:
Sharon Blackman OBE - Managing Director,Global Head of Services at Citi. As well as leading legal services for the global bank, Sharon is also an employed Barrister at the New York Bar. Sharon talked about working with traders in a fast paced environment and also deciding to take on a more senior role at the bank as your career aspirations can change on your journey.
Sarah Lavender - Production Manager, ITN Productions talked about a career in acting/drama before working in television and the skills needed to work in that industry as well as some top tips.
Simon Raper - Data Scientist, Statistician & Founder of Coppelia Machine Learning & Analytics talked to students about his love of robots when he was small and of technology and artificial intelligence. He also showed them how they could make their own robot.
Gail Lohan - Director Technology & Operations Learning and Development Lead, BlackRock spoke about a love of acting and drama before being convinced that a career in law was for her.
Working in a corporate environment introduced Gail to other areas in the business which she decided to try.
The students asked lots of questions and we’ve shared some of their feedback below:
Student feedback
“I liked the people because they were nice and funny - I liked how they got a job first and carried on learning.”
“It made us feel that we had more career choices.”
“I liked it because it motivated us for future careers.”
Teacher feeedback
“The Urban Synergy seminars are the highlight of our year”
“Thank you to both schools for hosting us,” says Urban Synergy’s Head of Programmes, Dianne Johnson.
“We know that engaging children at the earliest age is key to them forming the sort of ambitions that will fuel their academic performance and routes into work.”