WAES Careers Week October 2024

From Monday 21st October to Friday 25th October, the first WAES Careers Week of the academic year took place, offering a wide range of activities and workshops aimed at enhancing learners’ career prospects. Organised by the Careers and Learner Development Team, the week was designed to provide practical guidance and resources for learners looking to advance in their professional journeys.

One of the highlights of the week was the CV Drop-in Sessions, where learners had the opportunity to receive personalised advice on improving their CVs. These sessions were extremely popular, with many attendees receiving tailored feedback and suggestions to make their job applications more competitive.

Another useful session focused on How to Find Volunteer Work Experience, guiding learners on where and how to secure meaningful volunteer opportunities to build their skills and boost employability. Many learners took away actionable tips and were able to plan their next steps towards gaining practical experience.

The week also introduced WAES Futures, a new CRM system aimed at helping both learners and staff record career-related activities in one central location. This system is designed to simplify the management of career progression by allowing users to track their achievements, experiences, and evidence all in one place, giving a more organised approach to career development.

A standout feature of the week was the guest speakers, including Emma Friend, Volunteering, Apprenticeships, and Involvement Advisor from St Mungo’s, a homelessness charity offering volunteer opportunities, and Henry Nicholson, CEO of Rebel Business School, a forward-thinking organisation that supports entrepreneurs and business-minded individuals. Their talks were inspiring and provided attendees with insights into volunteer opportunities and alternative career paths.

Many learners left Careers Week with not only valuable CV advice but also a newfound motivation. Many booked 1:1 sessions with WAES Career Learner Development Officers to receive more in-depth, personalised guidance for their career progression.

Overall, WAES Careers Week was a success, providing a wealth of resources and opportunities for students to take control of their careers. The Careers and Learner Development Team is already looking forward to using learner feedback to build on this success for future events!