Wycombe Abbey Careers Seminar 2024
22 November 2024 - All
This year’s annual Careers Seminar welcomed 25 guest speakers, including Wycombe Abbey Seniors, parents, and local professionals, who generously volunteered their time to inspire and prepare our pupils for the future. The event showcased a wide variety of professions, from investment banking and engineering to sports marketing and fashion design, ensuring something of interest for every pupil.
Fifth Form and Lower Sixth pupils selected two talks from an extensive list of speaker biographies, enjoying intimate group sessions limited to 15 participants. This setup encouraged active engagement, with speakers sharing personal career journeys, their highs, lows, and valuable lessons, before hosting lively Q&A discussions.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive from both pupils and speakers. A guest speaker commented, ‘Hearing the pupils’ thoughtful questions and ambitions left me incredibly hopeful about the next generation of leaders.’ Meanwhile, pupils described feeling motivated and empowered by the sessions.
This year’s seminar also featured contributions from the new Careers Champions. See what Careers Champion, Eloise (UV) had to say.
‘I thoroughly enjoyed attending this year’s Careers Seminar, particularly hearing from two speakers from different fields: Audrey Bannister and Kate Davenport. Audrey currently works as the Commercial Lead for Walt Disney. While simply knowing that she works at Disney would have been enough to capture my attention, I was especially drawn to the fast-paced and exciting nature of her work environment. I greatly appreciated the informal group Q&A session, which allowed me to learn more about her career and even receive a Stitch-branded lanyard that she kindly gifted to each of us!
In a second session from Kate Davenport (Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Prague), I found her story incredibly inspiring; from studying History at Cambridge to her current role in diplomatic service. Hearing about her experience as a diplomat in Kyiv was particularly insightful, and I enjoyed seeing her captivating array of images, which helped me visualise life as a diplomat.’
Many thanks to all speakers who attended. If you’re interested in supporting future events, please contact Mrs Becky Scott at [email protected].
Alison Kiln
Head of Economics and Enterprise
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