CAREERS NETWORK
MEET GILLIAN JONES , POCKLINGTON SCHOOL ’ S CAREERS AND UNIVERSITY ADVISOR
A bit about me … I have been married to my husband John for twenty five years and have two children , a son who is a journalist / writer and a daughter who has just graduated with a degree in Fine Art and is taking a gap year before going on to do a masters in project management .
My career started … I started my career working in the financial sector with Shell and moved to the French oil company Elf Aquitaine / Total . At school I had no idea what I wanted to do I just knew I wanted to wear a suit to work and earn money !
Working for large companies allowed me to see and work with people in a myriad of roles . I took a career break when my children were born and we moved to Paris with my husband ’ s job . I got involved helping at my children ’ s schools over there ; this was instrumental in my decision to work with young people and upon our return to the UK I took a role at a local school and quite literally stumbled into careers guidance .
Later , I was asked to step up to take on the role of Careers Advisor in a school with over 2,000 students . I took my Level 4 Diploma in Careers Information and Advice quickly followed by the Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development gaining the Careers Development Institute accreditation .
I ’ m responsible for … I am responsible for working with students to help them identify and consider the choices available to them , outlining possible courses of action and helping them to plan how to achieve their personal goals ; plans may involve a variety of options or a combination . By listening to the initial ideas and aspirations of students I help them to identify possible routes and the qualifications , skills and experiences required . I also support students to see how they could overcome any barriers that prevent them from moving forwards , or referring them to other people that could advise them .
My typical day … No day is the same ! My job is very varied ; I go from doing face-to-face interviews to analysing students ’ interests , aptitudes and abilities , helping with UCAS and apprenticeships , running group work to develop employability skills , organising and arranging presentations , careers events and activities by outside agencies and speakers including some OPs .
The best part of my job … The best part of my job is when I have a student who has lost confidence and thinks that the path they want to take is closed to them and I show them other routes and they see all is not lost . Everyone ’ s career path is unique and you may need to take a circuitous route to get to where you want to be . I also love A level results day ( now my own children are past that age !) as I love the satisfaction of sharing my knowledge and helping people – it ’ s a great buzz !
Little know fact … I love art and travelling and spend a lot of time visiting art galleries and exhibitions . If I could go back in time I would have studied Art History and my dream job would be as an art conservationist … maybe that ’ s my next career journey , who knows ?
CAREER TALKS DESIGNED TO INSPIRE PUPILS FOR LIFE
In May , guest speakers from 16 different careers shared their experiences with Pocklington School pupils in a series of mini-talks designed to inspire them to think about their futures .
The short , 10-minute talks were aimed at Middle School and Sixth Form students to provide them with insights into some possible ‘ career destinations ’ and to give them the opportunity to hear firsthand the often differing and convoluted journeys people have undertaken during their working life to reach their current role .
The speakers worked in areas as diverse as construction , the food industry , human resources , event management and the probation service . They included an entrepreneur , an engineer , a nurse and a GP , and a market researcher .
Gillian Jones , Careers and University Advisor at Pocklington School , said : “ Many students struggle to imagine a direction for their working life , let alone the steps to a specific career .
“ By helping students to think in terms of ‘ a career ’, they can be motivated on to their own journey , fuelling their transition into the world of work .” She said : “ The students find these events to be particularly useful in influencing their attitudes and assumptions regarding different jobs . This in turn guides their decisions about their futures .
“ It ’ s important that students understand that there can be many routes into a particular career and that the journey can take unexpected turns . Therefore , they need to be aware of opportunities as they present themselves , as well as being self-aware in order to make the most of these opportunities .”
If any OPs would be interested in giving a 10-minute talk at a future careers event at the school , please contact Rachel in the OP office .
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