Big Bang STEAM Careers Fair 2019

There was an excited buzz in Peckover Hall on Monday 1st July as our students in Year 10 and above joined visitors from Reading School, Downe House, Newlands Girls School, Emmbrook School and Highdown School for the third annual Big Bang Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) Careers Fair.

Alongside two workshop sessions and a talk from sustainability design engineer and creative business mentor, Erica Purvis from Technical Nature, the students were keen to explore the stalls at the fair where there were representatives available to explain commercial opportunities in a diverse range of industries, academic courses with universities and alternative paths such as apprenticeships and gap years.

Sharing her passion and belief in the important and responsible role engineers, designers, manufacturers and technology innovators have in society today, Erica’s talk focussed on the possibility of bringing together her mechanical engineering design background with a human and planet focused approach. She shared some of her journey as a design engineer, from working and advising internationally with large corporates, strategy for campaigning NGO’s, to supporting early stage startups, highlighting some of the tools, thinking and mindset needed for resilient and purpose driven organisations.

Erica emphasised the social, ethical and environmental responsibility that young people have today as the designers, engineers and creative thinkers of the future. She told students to “continually be open questioning, evolving and learning” and to “spend time in, and look to nature for inspiration and ideas.”

Deputy Head (Academic), Karen Gracie-Langrick commented, “We are delighted to have hosted our third Big Bang Careers and Apprenticeships enrichment event at Leighton Park School.  Linking ‘curriculum learning to careers’ through STEAM has ensured that our students, and those from other schools in Reading, have been provided with meaningful opportunities for encounters with employers and employees. Seeking to maintain best practice in careers provision and education in schools, Leighton Park has been proud to afford students in Year 10 and above multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills valued in the workplace and to gain an understanding of the range of learning opportunities that are available to them – both academic and vocational routes in universities and in the workplace.”

In the workshops, students were exposed to a selection of careers through presentations and interactive exercises. Peter Brett Associates provided budding engineers with an insight into the science of infrastructure, planning and building with an interactive bridge building game. Next door to PBA, Pfizer held a simulation of double blind testing in clinical trials using jelly beans – a very popular activity for those interested in the pharmaceutical industry or who were just a bit peckish before lunch! And elsewhere a second Pfizer team presented a range of introductions to the company including Science in a Box for Year 9 students, Year 12 work apprenticeships, undergraduate placement years and graduate placements.

Cisco discussed their focus on collaboration in their degree apprenticeships, with 95% retention of apprentices into permanent positions. Phillip Hannah, a current Cisco apprentice said “Cisco offers a flexible and debt-free alternative to university, that even allocates 20% of the working week to study time.”

We were delighted to have a number of Old Leightonians sharing their expertise too: Susan Maddison from Women in Tech Revolution suggested that the split between men and women in traditional tech is fairly equal, however in more modern sectors such as AI, Bloc Chain and Crypto currency there are significantly less women. WIT Revolution hopes to build awareness around these careers and make them more accessible to young women. OL Dr Sami Kanza from the University of Southampton too was able to speak about careers in Computer Science.

In his talk about the challenges and changing trends in medicine,  OL Paul Lear, Medical Director of Dorset County Hospital and a transplant surgeon differentiated between the staggering 10% female entry to medical degrees in 1970, compared to the 60% of female entries in 2017. Paul explained how study is now far more focused on applying what is relevant to medicine, with further in-course assessment and greater exposure to real life working environments. He said “You are able to closely shadow junior doctors who have a great interest in your progress and development. Instead of just completing placements in hospitals, students have greater exposure to the whole breadth of medicine.” Paul encouraged students not to rush decisions about their future, saying “I am a great believer that you should take your time with your career and keep it as broad as you can, for as long as possible.”

Kat Knight provided a masterclass in navigating the enigma of the perfect personal statement. She explained that although 65 – 70% of a UCAS application should be academic content, it should nevertheless also reflect on things currently happening in the relevant sector to show an engagement outside of Sixth Form. She continued by reminding students that it is called a ‘personal statement’ and therefore should be tailored to what works best for the individual.

In an overview of the Computer Games industry and how to get started, OL Charlie Bewsher used an example of how their company Creative Assembly employed an individual who despite not having been to university was able to show great commitment and skill through having designed and developed a game at home. Charlie continued by explaining that an employer is more likely to pay attention to work created in a prospective employees spare time, as it allows the hiring manager to clearly gauge a genuine interest, the individuals ideas and their contribution to a project.

Speakers from Ernest and Young noted that  “All companies are moving into technology. No matter what graduate programme or sector you go into, it is important to be mindful of technology and the impact it has and will continue to have on your workplace.” Jay from Emmbrook School found their insights valuable commenting, “I went to the accounting session with Ernst and Young. They told us about how they offer taster days so that you can get a real insight into what careers in accounting are like. It has been really informative.”

Year 10 student Camilla said “My favourite part of today was being able to talk to an expert in their field from Study in Scotland, who had lots of knowledge on the subject I want to study.” Phillipos, who now has a clearer idea of the direction he wants to head in after school said “The best thing I took away from the business talk I attended was to not limit yourself.”

Dr Jo Toovey from Highdown School reflected, “We brought some of our top students along today and it has been really useful to give them the enthusiasm to aspire high at A Level. Students have found out a bit more about potential careers and routes into careers, helping them decide what they really want to do. Some students found out about combining creativity with STEM disciplines and the huge range of options that exist.”