To help its students better understand possible professional career options, the Marist Senior School has teamed up with parents to deliver lunchtime career seminars where parents speak of their own work experiences.

Ms Ruth Elliot, HR Director at Davies Arnold Cooper, a London law firm, delivered the first of these talks to students speaking of her own experience as a human resources professional and the career path a young person might take to becoming a qualified HR practitioner.  In addition to her own role as a Director in HR, she gave valuable insight into the career paths students could take to enter careers in law and marketing.  For each discipline, she outlined the qualifications and experience that she would look for if hiring trainees and experienced professionals.

She also discussed some of the typical projects and activities professionals are likely to encounter at all levels, and gave practical advice on CV and letter writing when applying for jobs.
 
Ms Elliot said “One of the most important questions to consider when thinking of career options is ‘what am I passionate about?’ as you are more likely to be successful in a career that really interests you.   As a student, getting some work experience is very important – even if it’s in an unrelated area.”  She added “With many different CVs to consider, some work experience can be a differentiator for employers considering applicants with similar qualifications and interests.  It also gives applicants something positive to talk about during an interview.”

Mrs Suzanne Barclay, Careers Co-ordinator at the Marist Schools is planning a programme of lunchtime careers talks for all senior students.  She said “It is really valuable to have direct input from parents regarding career options for their daughters.  With such a variety of work possibilities, it is enlightening to hear from parents directly how their own careers developed.  The new careers programme enables students to ask questions about possible paths to their own future careers in the same or a related field.”