In collaboration with Urban Synergy, the Stepstone insight day was designed to ignite ambitions and open doors for students eager to explore careers in the corporate world. Confidence Nkem-Okorie, People Operations Manager and Chair of the Black Culture & Allies Network, alongside Leila Thomas, CEO of Urban Synergy, welcomed the next generation of talent to a day of discovery.
Workshops and Skill Building
The morning sessions provided an immersive look into global recruitment and HR technology. During the Stepstone insight day workshops, Ola Balogun, Global Account Director, led a "Think Like A CEO" exercise, helping students understand personal branding. Isaac Llopis, Senior Engineering Manager, shared his career journey to demystify roles in technology, while the Talent Acquisition team offered practical advice on CVs and entry routes into the group.
Speed Mentoring and Networking
Lunch offered more than just food; it was a chance for curiosity to meet experience. During the speed mentoring session, students networked with Stepstone employees to learn about company culture and various career paths. This was followed by a vibrant "Would you rather – career edition" workshop led by Confidence Nkem-Okorie, where students mapped out their preferences for remote, hybrid, or entrepreneurial work environments.
Panel Discussion with Senior Leaders
In the afternoon, the students met senior leaders from the Stepstone Group who were interviewed by Confidence to learn more about them. The panelists were:
A key highlight of the Stepstone insight day was the afternoon panel discussion. Senior leaders, including Sarah Wright (Senior Sales Director), Jamie Holloway (Global Head of People Operations), and Nic Weatherhead (Vice President - People), shared deep insights into their leadership journeys and the evolving landscape of the recruitment industry.
- Sarah Wright: Senior Sales Director
- Jamie Holloway: Global Head of People Operations
- Umang Panchal - Senior Enterprise Sales Director
- Isaac Llopis: Senior Engineering Manager
- Nic Weatherhead: Vice President - People
Impact and Feedback
The results from the day were overwhelmingly positive. 100% of the participating students reported feeling more confident about their future and stated they had learned about career paths they were previously unaware of. As Sonia, age 22, noted: "It was amazing and a great opportunity for us to learn more about different career paths and skills needed to succeed in corporate roles."
Partner with Urban Synergy
If you would like to partner with Urban Synergy and help us deliver more social mobility programmes, Contact Us.
