Unique Careers Day

As part of our Futures Programme, to prepare our pupils for life beyond South Hampstead, Year 8 pupils enjoyed exploring unusual and aspirational career paths.

From Ergonomist to Molecular Gastronomist via Video Game Designer, Year 8 spent a day exploring a wide variety of interesting careers, encouraging them to consider options beyond traditional professions. Working in small groups, they presented their findings in creative ways, designing displays to promote their assigned career. A total of 58 different professions were researched, across six different zones: Business, Communication, Creative, People, Government and Science. The students researched a typical day in the role, the key skills required, where in the world you could work and how your career could progress.

After some initial confused faces when handed the card with Zymologist written on it, the students soon became engrossed in the task. Dr Osborne was blown away by the originality of the poster designs; one group had even hand-carved a wax polar bear on an iceberg for their Climate Change Researcher poster. Once the posters were complete, the students set them up for a Careers Fair in the afternoon and were asked to vote for the career they found the most inspirational in each zone. The careers that captured the imaginations of the students included: Entrepreneur, Science Illustrator, Advertising Art Director, Cryptographer, Criminal Psychologist, Industrial Designer and Artificial Intelligence Officer.

The girls subsequently signed up to Unifrog. The online platform provides the opportunity to reflect upon and log their individual skills and start on their CVs, as well as allowing them continue to explore different careers – a great starting point for a discussion about their future plans.

With the pace of change having a huge impact on the future of work, our pupils are well prepared to consider their options for life after South Hampstead. Our Futures Programme, led by Dr Osborne, Director of Careers and Higher Education, provides a comprehensive framework to equip girls for life beyond their school years.