CAREERS AND AWARDS
Careers &
Business
NETWORK
CAREERS AND BUSINESS NETWORK ROUND UP
With traditional networking activities put on pause in the last academic year , the Pocklington School Careers & Business Network adapted its scheduled programme in order to continue to deliver events to inspire and engage the OP and school community .
Launched in 2017 with the support of the OP Association , the Network comprises parents past and present , former pupils , staff , supporters and Governors . Its aim is to help Pocklington School students , and each other , thrive in a highly competitive world . The Network has its own LinkedIn group , which has over 530 members across the world and is a valuable career networking pool for members to draw on .
VIRTUAL EVENTS The Network usually runs face-to-face networking events at School , in London , Leeds and York . In 2020 / 21 , events moved online and attracted an audience from places as diverse as Manchester , Northamptonshire , Woking and Washington DC . The first event , held in December , focused on PR and communications and featured guest speaker Sarah Gough ( 96-07 ), Associate Director at PR and Public Affairs agency Grayling . The second event , in May , welcomed Professor Steven Kyffin ( 70-77 ), Pro Vice-Chancellor ( Business and Enterprise ) of Northumbria University , who spoke about his philosophy and motivations as a designer , innovator and leader gained through his wideranging career .
OPs and PSF careers and business network members get to grips with Zoom .
ZOOMING INTO THE CLASSROOM A number of OPs also ‘ Zoomed ’ into School to speak to students directly about their own careers . Many thanks to Stephanie Kerr ( 01-12 ) for her inspirational presentation on environmental consultancy to our A level Geographers , to Matthew Durdy ( 79-84 ) for his advice and insights into working in biotech to pupils in our Medical Society , and to Heather King ( 97-99 ) for sharing details of her fascinating journey from English graduate to Liaison Officer for mining company Anglo American .
Jodie Hill ( 00-06 ), founder and managing partner of award-winning Thrive Law , came into school in Michaelmas Term to talk to Sixth Form students about the ‘ Power of Networking ’, giving them practical tips and examples of how networking can help them achieve their ambitions .
Jodie kindly spent time with the students after the presentation answering questions and encouraging them to use both online and offline networking opportunities .
CAREER TIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The Network continued its monthly focus on different career sectors , with former students and parents working in areas including TV production , occupational psychology , digital marketing and training providing examples of their own career journeys and challenges .
Job and internship opportunities continued to be shared via the LinkedIn Group , and the Network worked with the Old Pocklingtonian Association to respond to requests from former students looking for new roles and specialist career advice .
Toby Seth , Headmaster , Pocklington School said : “ The Careers & Business Network at Pocklington School is reflective of the very strong link that exists between the School and OPs and , even more importantly , offers our current students amazing insights into the world of work and beyond . I am always delighted to see so many of our young people attend the events – one of these could provide the
spark that sets alight a future ambition . Providing our pupils with broad , global perspectives on life after school is central to the holistic education on offer at Pocklington .”
‘ In person ’ Careers and Business Network events returned in the Michaelmas Term with two events in Pocklington ( October ) and York ( November ) respectively .
If you would like to join the Network contact the OP office ; it is free to sign up .
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