The Sixth Form Careers Evening provides guidance to current pupils in the form of panel presentations and a rotation of small group discussion sessions by occupation/profession/career area, made possible by our community of volunteers (mainly OAs) representing their field.  This provides invaluable career guidance to our Sixth Form students, who relish the opportunity to meet and speak with professionals working in occupations of curiosity and interest to them.

You can volunteer in different ways:

Speak on a panel about how you have managed your career to date, including how you have taken decisions in critical moments along the way.

Host small group discussion sessions focused on your occupation; you can do this solo or with one or two other volunteers working in your same (or a closely related) occupation.

The aim of the event is for students to come away with a clearer idea of what it’s like to work in your occupation (entry-level roles, specifically); what qualifications, knowledge, skills and personal qualities are essential to gain employment and succeed longer term; what typical early-stage career progression can look like; and what the ‘pros and cons’ are of your occupation (from your personal experience as a working professional). The discussion should both confirm and reject a student’s preconceived notions of your occupation and encourage deeper thinking about it.

We hope you will consider joining our community of career volunteers that make this event and others possible. Your early sign-up will help us to identify which sectors we need to focus on to ensure that this event is as comprehensive as possible.

For more information please contact careerguidance@abingdon.org.uk or register your interest using the link above.