Versa: Issue Six

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OA CAREERS
NETWORK
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: JAMES CRANSTON (OA 2004),
SHANTANU MAJUMDAR (OA 1986), JOHN ANGEL
AND ROBERT READ (OA 2006)
Also at the start of the year, current parent Rob Houghton
delivered a fascinating talk on Start-ups, e-Commerce and
Entrepreneurship. As CEO and founder of reallymoving. com,
Mr Houghton shared his experiences and engaged with
students on how to start up a successful business.
Careers Evenings
Consisting of a panel of speakers, our careers evenings focus
on a single subject per event and provide expert insight by
OAs and parents.
On Monday 18th November 2019, we hosted a Law careers
evening with speakers James Cranston (OA 2004) – Senior
Associate at Clifford Chance, Robert Read (OA 2006) – Trainee
Solicitor at Beale and Company Solicitors LLP, Shantanu
Majumdar QC (OA 1986 & Governor) – Barrister at Radcliffe
Chambers, and John Angel (former parent 2015) – Judiciary at
Queen Mary University of London (pictured above).
More recently on 9th March 2020 we held a Biology and
Chemistry careers evening, at which the following individuals
gave insightful presentations. Mrs Rahima Karim (current
parent) – Clinical Programme Leader, Oncology at Roche,
Dr Rhiannon Lowe (current parent) – Immunotoxicologist at
GSK, Professor Paul Luzio (Governor) – Retired Professor of
Molecular Membrane Biology at the University of Cambridge,
and Dr Paul Quinlan (OA 1977) – Research & Development
Director at Unilever (pictured left).
Higher Education & Employment Conference
This two-day conference helps students to develop their
presentation skills and prepare them for life after School. Over
the years, countless OAs and parents have volunteered their
time to guide students and help them understand the key
qualities of a good presentation.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: PROF. PAUL LUZIO, MRS RAHIMA KARIM, DR RHIANNON LOWE AND DR PAUL QUINLAN (OA 1977)
We are immensely grateful to our OA community for their time and assistance helping others
with their career goals. Over the last few years, a network of alumni, former staff and parents
has been steadily growing, with the aim of providing career support, advice and placements for
other OAs and current pupils. Here are a few of the ways you have been helping...
What it’s Like to Study
OAs currently studying at university generously give their time to return to
School and give a talk on what it’s like to study their subject. The courses
discussed are determined by the pupils themselves and what route they are
considering. In January 2020, Matthew Crossley (OA 2017), a student at
Southampton University, retuned to speak to students about his course in
Electronic Engineering.
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OAs and parents
offered to speak
at a careers
events
offers of work
experience or
placements
‘What it’s Like
to Study’ career
evenings
University trips
to Oxford and
Cambridge
MATT CROSSLEY (OA 2017)
Enrichment Lectures
These talks are aimed at giving pupils a well-rounded understanding of the
working world. In January, we had Anna Corper (Freya North), current
parent, author of 14 novels and Founder of the Hertford Children’s Book
Festival, presenting to the Upper Sixth about ‘How to be an Author’. Anna
gave pupils an insight into her life and how her journey to become an
author started.
Amongst the many other lectures, university trips and
Society speakers that our OA community support, they also
provide opportunities for each other. At our annual OA
Networking Drinks, alumni make business contacts, provide
placements and even job interviews.
We are lucky to have such an engaged and proactive
community which is having an instrumental effect on the
career paths of our students and OAs. If you would like to
join our team of volunteers who provide career support for
pupils, please get in touch with the Development Team using
the contact details on page 2 and let us know your career
details and how you would like to help!