CAREERS AND AWARDS
OP GOES STATE-SIDE TO STUDY COMPUTER SCIENCE
OP Luke Potter ( 17-19 ) has successfully gained a place to study computer science at Washington and Lee University in Lexington City , Virginia , US .
Besides the university ’ s stunning setting in the Shenandoah Valley between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Allegheny Mountains , Luke was attracted by the flexible curriculum that will allow him time to decide his future career path . Luke explained : “ I want to study computer science , but I ’ m interested in going into finance . In the US , I can major in computer science but also take classes in a range of other subjects like economics , business , psychology and maths that may be relevant to a future career in finance .”
Luke certainly has a keen interest in finance and whilst in the sixth form at Pocklington School , he was highly successful in the Student Investor Challenge in 2018 . His strategic portfolio finished the trading round as the best performing in the country . This incredible performance saw his portfolio ’ s assets outperforming some professional funds and he has continued with his interest over the past year , co-founding an online business specialising in financial analysis .
Good luck with your studies Luke !
CAPTAIN JAMES KELLY MEETS STUDENTS
It was a pleasure to welcome Captain James Kelly ( OP 03-10 ) from the Royal Logistic Corps into school to meet with students and chat with them about his fascinating career in the army .
James said : ” I have had the privilege of commanding the nation ’ s finest assets ( our soldiers ) in varying situations across the globe , an opportunity which is only achieved as a Commissioned Officer in the Armed Forces .
“ The plethora of qualifications I have attained and the experiences I have had can ’ t be offered anywhere else and I implore anyone who is thinking about a career in the Armed forces to try , Regular or Reserve . Pocklington School granted me a brilliant education and foundation , upon which the Armed Forces continues to build on every day .”
SECTOR PROFILE – PROPERTY , SURVEYING AND ARCHITECTURE
Serena Leach MRICS ( 05-12 ) Senior Surveyor , Residential Development – Bidwells
Serena graduated from the University of Reading in 2015 with a BSc degree in Real Estate .
Having specialised in the Rural Enterprise and Asset Management pathway at University , Serena joined Carter Jonas as a Graduate Rural Surveyor within the Infrastructures Team in Oxford where she predominantly acted for promoters of major infrastructure schemes . This work included advice in relation to land acquisition , compulsory purchase and compensation work and the valuation of property blighted by infrastructure schemes .
Feeling like she needed more experience in
“ traditional ” rural work to prepare for the Assessment of Professional Competence ( APC ), Serena joined the Rural Team at Carter Jonas where she was responsible for the day-to-day management of a number of private client estates . Serena continued to be involved in the valuation of agricultural , residential and commercial Property , but for predominantly secured lending purposes .
Having gained a wide variety of experience Serena passed her APC , becoming a Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer .
With residential development a hot topic due to the UK ’ s housing crisis and recognising the development potential that will arise due to infrastructure schemes up and down the country , such as the Cambridge to Oxford Arc , Serena made the move to Cambridge to work for Bidwells as a Senior Surveyor within the Residential Development Team .
She is currently involved in the disposal of residential development land and advises landowners on the various disposal options in order to maximise their return from residential development sites .
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