Careers Forum

The Careers Forum is held every year in the Lent Term and gives pupils the opportunity to learn about a range of careers in some depth. A variety of leading experts give talks about their individual fields and are available to answer any questions the pupils may have afterwards (please see below for the full list of speakers in 2011).Attendance at the Careers Forum is compulsory in the Upper Fifth year and strongly encouraged in the Lower Sixth year. On both occasions, pupils attend two pre-selected talks.

2011 Speakers

1.    BANKING/FINANCE
Mr Stuart McKnight studied engineering and then a Masters in Business Administration at Manchester Business School. Since graduation he has been consistently involved in corporate finance – with large investment banks such as Hill Samuel and Nomura, and in recent years with Ascendant Ltd: venture capital, business mergers, acquisitions etc.  After the upheavals in the finance sector in recent times he is well placed to provide insights into this competitive field and to comment on the skills, qualifications and attributes of recruits in these areas.

2.    CAREERS IN SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY
Mr Philip Harris studied Physics and Electronics at Brighton, followed by a Phd at Surrey University. He now works for Detica on the University Science Research Park. Project management in areas such as lasers and x rays have followed  from a base of success in science subjects. Some of his work has been with Quinetic in the defence industry. He will discuss the areas of his experience and offer insights into the variety of paths open to those who continue with and then choose to deploy their scientific training in the commercial world.

3.    LAUREATE HOSPITALITY EDUCATION
Hospitality is the world’s largest employer offering a wide array of management level employment in hotels, restaurants, travel, leisure, wellness etc.  Mr.Marcus Burnett is the UK representative for the prestigious Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland (plus other campuses in Switzerland, Spain, China and Australia). Their graduates receive an average of three job offers, and can aim to manage top hotels, golf clubs, spas etc as well as run events companies or sports stadiums. Also, with the changes in British university funding, investment in such international qualifications may become much more comparable. A chance to reflect and learn about  international business, use of languages and a multitude of career areas.  

4.    CAREERS IN LAW
Mr Keith Syson is a partner of Stevens and Bolton LLP, a large regional firm operating from Wey House in  Guildford. He studied at Southampton University and Guildford Law School before working in  Corporate Law in the City. The firm covers twenty one professional areas across all main legal fields and has a staff of 160. In recent years the firm has won industry awards in the areas of training and recruitment. This presentation will provide an excellent overview for all those interested in the legal profession and the role of law in society.

5.    WARNER MUSIC UK - CREATIVE SERVICES
Tom Mackay works for Warner Bros Records in Music Online Content and Music Video. His path into this field included a Geography/Biology degree at Exeter, playing in live bands, work experience with record labels in London and California, internship and freelance work for Universal -before being recruited by Warner Bros Records to head up the Creative Department. His job involves working with the digital department to plan and provide online content for all contracted artists, arranging locations and production schedules. Budgets are agreed with product managers and heads of marketing and then there is a supervisory role in video shoots working with directors and producers. Finally there is liaison with TV and promotion department in planning new releases.

6.    ART AND DESIGN – A COMMERCIAL APPLICATION
Sophie McNiven studied at Cranleigh and initially left to study Media and Communications at Goldsmiths College, London. However she soon switched to Wimbledon School of Art, specialising in textiles and finishing at Manchester University. She will share the lessons of her experience and provide an illustrated talk of her work as a designer for Delta and now Marks and Spencers. Much of her work involves travel to Europe and the Far East meeting and developing links with suppliers.

7.    ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESS MANAGERS
As well as outside speakers the Careers Forum contains some wider items designed to get you thinking and investigating careers issues in other diverse ways. This session will involve DVD extracts and discussion. Focusing on successful people in their late twenties this item will look at a SW Radio Station Manager (experience plus Bristol media degree), a National Trust Property Manager  (History degree plus management training), and an Inventor (parajet personal aircraft - nine year old UK business based on Japanese design). What they have in common is drive and creativity - essential features of the twenty-first century jobs market.

8.    THE ENERGY GENERATION
Like session seven this item is designed to get you thinking and investigating through the medium of DVD extracts and discussion. Jobs and experiences in the energy sector are explored. Examples include a commercial graduate trainee at company HQ, a maintenance engineer in a nuclear power station, an energy trader, a wind energy consultant, and a manager in a Centre for Alternative Technology. Clearly this sector of the economy is of huge importance for the future and there are good job opportunities available for those with the ambition and desire to find employment within it.