Fantastic to hear that students attending our annual Leadership Symposium in November got so much out of the experience. One student’s networking skills resulted in a degree apprenticeship with an industry delegate they met at the event. Others secured work experience shadowing the Chief Executive of one of the UK’s largest recruitment agencies and with a gaming business that produces educational video games.
Every year, we invite sixth form students from around the UK to attend this high profile event, providing a fantastic opportunity for them to hear from and rub shoulders with leaders from industry. Speakers this year included Dave Lewis, CEO of Tesco, Debbie Robinson, Managing Director of Spar UK, Douglas Lamont of Innocent Drinks and journalist Piers Morgan.
Here’s what students from Collyer’s College had to say about the day:
“A very good experience it was great to meet such a wide variety of speakers and to have an insight into the numerous jobs in the industry. It was valuable to practice my networking skills. I quickly realised that you could speak to a top CEO and after the nerves faded you could hold a good conversation with a group of people you had not met before. I am grateful for the opportunity to build on my skills and also to see such inspiring speakers.”
“It was such a great experience. I enjoyed the advice to understand risks not fear them. I particularly liked the presentation from FareShare as it demonstrated an ethical approach to business and ethically correct marketing that particularly interests me.”
“Very engaging I learnt so much about presentation, how to play to an audience and network with confidence. Being able to practice my networking skills really helped me with my questioning – talking to actual industry professionals was an experience without compare.”
“It was fun to try networking and I got to meet some good people. I had not considered this industry before (retail) but now I can really see the potential of it all.”
“From a self-esteem point of view it really spoke to me about confidence. I initially found networking quite challenging but being able to watch the rest of the team actually put these skills into practice gave the opportunity to develop my skills and I came away with some valuable contacts in the end. I was able to organise a degree apprenticeship with Jude Ower MBE and her IT company Playmob. An absolutely unbelievable opportunity.”
“It was a very enjoyable day encouraging, optimistic and it showed me that even the highest regarded business individuals can still be approachable.”
And the tutors gave us great feedback too.
Lucy Hargreaves, employability Coordinator at Collyers College said in an article in The County Times:
“This kind of access to top-level business people is such a privilege. The kind donation of thousands of pounds worth of tickets for this event made this a wonderful opportunity for our students!”
Chris Jennings, tutor from Cardinal Newman College brought along a group of Business and Economics students.
“I just wanted to say a huge thanks again for last Thursday; what an experience for our students! They were really buzzing about it and bragging to their mates on Friday. We would love to be invited back next year.”
