St Benedict’s Careers programme during lockdown

St Benedict’s Careers Seminars 

These online seminars have included how to find work experience and internships during the pandemic using our alumni platform ‘St Benedict’s Connect’, as well as 

• Guidance on networking and finding a mentor 

• Writing a winning CV and focused cover letter 

• How to perform at your best during an online interview 

• Live interactive sessions with former BBC journalist, Kate Chacksfied, on perfecting online presentations and interviews

• 

  St Benedict’s University News  

A weekly update on how universities are responding to the Covid-19 outbreak.  This has included key information from UCAS Facebook Live events, featuring the latest news from the University Minister Michelle Donelan and Mike Nicholson, Director of Admissions, University of Bath, considered to be the ‘voice’ of university admissions in the UK.  

An online newsletter also features a case study, ‘university of the week’, and these have included Durham, Manchester and Newcastle. 

Podcasts: Careers with Old Priorians

Each week we feature a podcast of an OP discussing their career to date. So far, we have shared careers in Finance, Screenwriting, Law, Politics, Sports and Fitness and Architecture. These has proved extremely popular with students as they have provided unique insights into unexpected career journeys. 

One-to-one sessions to improve interview skills

Following the excellent online interview skills presentation from Kate Chacksfield (BBC broadcaster, producer, media training specialist) the Careers department is offering  St Benedict’s Year 13 students an opportunity for individual online interview/presentation/meeting session training. 

These sessions will give students an opportunity to build on the skills learnt from Kate’s seminar, with a chance to consider both the physical aspects of succeeding at interview – such as camera angles, lighting, background, eye contact and breath control - as well as the necessary content in answers – all essential to improve in their online presence. 

One-to-one meetings to discuss specific university queries for 2020 intake

The Careers department is available for meetings with students (and, if required, parents) to discuss how their first choice universities are responding to Covid – 19. These meetings will also offer support to students considering deferring their place, changing their course/university or planning a gap year. 

Local volunteering opportunities in Ealing 

As well as being a means of helping those in need in the community, volunteering is a superb way of gaining experience. The Careers department is sharing information about volunteering opportunities in the community, such as working with GoodGym, Ealing, which works as part of Ealing Together to support vulnerable and isolated residents during COVID-19.  Volunteers combine being active by walking or running, with doing good, with one-off tasks such as dropping off shopping, medicines and having a socially distanced chat.