Sixth Form pupils at Haberdashers’ Adams had the opportunity to receive advice and support from a number of former pupils recently including Moonpig founder and BBC Dragon Nick Jenkins, Liveryman. |
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With the usual university visits and activities having to be put on hold this year due to the pandemic, the school reached out to its alumni for support so that it could offer an alternative, in-house programme of presentations. As a result, pupils were able to hear first-hand from alumni about living and studying at university, different degree courses, apprenticeship opportunities and also volunteering options with gap year placements through Project Trust. The event was further supported by the University of Liverpool providing advice on how to write personal statements and the school’s local enterprise adviser Hollie Whittles explaining how LinkedIn can help to enhance your early career. Sound advice was also offered by entrepreneur Nick Jenkins, Liveyman, who completed his A-levels at Adams in 1985. Nick has visited his old school a few times over recent years as both a Haberdasher and alumnus, running a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style competition for the younger pupils, presenting at the school’s Prizegiving ceremony and offering careers advice to Sixth Formers. He says: “It’s always good to come back to Adams but it’s lovely to think I can give advice on something I would like to have heard.” Nick’s visit generated a lot of questions, from investing in cryptocurrency to whether to follow your passion or your pension! He encouraged pupils to grasp all the opportunities available to them at Adams in order to learn the soft skills that are so essential when building teams and working with people. As a keen supporter of the school’s lively debating scene, Nick has previously commented on how his time debating at Adams gave him the opportunity to develop key business skills such as the ability to think on his feet as well as seeing an argument from another person’s point of view. And for those considering the entrepreneurial route, Nick says you have to be able to enjoy the ride: “There’ll be ups and downs and it’s like a roller-coaster so if you don’t think you’ll enjoy that, then it’s not for you.” Huge thanks to Nick and to all of the school’s Old Novaportans who support the school with providing careers advice to the school. It is lovely to see former pupils giving back to their old school in this way. Many thanks in particular to: Joe Sullivan #Classof2020 who joined us virtually to talk about applying to the University of Cambridge and studying Law. |