Careers
Choosing your career is one of the most important decisions you ever have to make. The careers library contains a wide variety of reference books together with information on most universities and colleges and many prospectuses and booklets. There is also a wealth of literature and posters on gap years.
Tests and Questionnaires
Fifth formers can choose to take the Morisby Psychometric tests which correlate individual skills and interests to career profiles. Although it is usually not possible to equate a personality profile to a particular job, the results of the analysis always provide an insight into aptitudes, experience of psychometrics tests and a basis for future discussion. This usually takes place in November with follow-up interviews and reports in the New Year. The L6th are invited to do a diagnostic centigrade test to help them start to identify courses which match their interests and aspirations.
Work Experience
All Fifth Form boys undertake a minimum of one week’s work experience in various fields ranging from media, manufacturing, retail, banking, caring professions, to archaeology, international relations, construction and photography. As part of the process, pupils are expected to write letters of introduction and CVs. Those L6th pupils who do not do Art & Design complete a second week in their post-AS Level period.
Course and Conventions
Various conventions are advertised through the school, including short courses organised via the school’s membership of the Independent Schools Careers Organisation. Obviously, potential applicants are encouraged to attend university open days and Gap exhibitions through which information can be gained. Some pupils gain from the national conferences organised by both public and private bodies and details of these can be obtained through the school’s careers office. Pupils are also encouraged to go on Taster Days and Interview Training Days.
Talks and Lectures
Occasional lectures are given on a year group basis by outside speakers.
UCAS Week
This week at the end of the Summer term kick-starts the university application process and includes course and university information, UCAS forms, Open Day visits, Gap Year talks and, if possible, a visit to a UCAS Convention.
Interviews
Pupils in the Fifth Form and L6th may choose to attend individual interviews with our external careers advisers from ISCO. Reports are sent home on their contents.
IT
With one hundred thousand courses and a multitude of possibilities, computer searches and analyses are vital. Use the UCAS website's course Search Facility with the individual Entry Profiles for an excellent preparation to choosing a course.
Dora Nash, Steve Tomlinson, Mary Arkinstall
Careers Team
