Welcome to my blog spot! I’m Vic Geary RCDP and I’m a qualified and Registered Career Development Professional, and part of the Future First team.
We’ve nearly made it! As the last exams take place, the school shirts get signed and the revision notes are put in boxes to be forgotten about, the students you’ve nurtured to this point are about to join the big wide world… but don’t let them go without telling you how to keep in touch! You may already have a thriving alumni network that you’re about to add to but if not, you have the opportunity right now to start one and this is why you should…
Relatable role models
We know that young people need relatable role models, particularly at the point of leaving school as less than half of 15-year-olds think ‘people like me’ will be successful compared with 71% of 11-year-olds and 74% of six-year-olds. Neer-peers are utilised in education in a variety of contexts, and studies show that engagement with them has a positive effect on young people developing the social capital needed to pursue their career goals. I struggle to think of a nearer-peer for a young person than someone who until recently wore the same blazer as you! Don’t let this valuable resource go! Keep your alumni close.
Gatsby Benchmarks 5: Encounters with employers and employees
Your students need to have at least one encounter with an employer every year from Year 7-13 so the more employers you have access to, the better. Some of your students will go straight from school or college into an apprenticeship … if they come back in next year to talk about how their apprenticeship is going, that’s one of your encounters ticked! (NB If they bring along their training provider then you’re also on the way to Provider Access Legislation or ‘Baker Clause’ compliance and Benchmark 7). Three, five, ten years from now who knows what exciting jobs they can come and tell you about!
Destination Tracking
It’s not all about data … but it is about data a bit. Schools are required to track the destinations of their students for 3 years after they leave. Either now or on results day, you need a way to collect the immediate destinations of your students AND gain their consent to contact them each year so that you can report on it. As a careers leader I also framed this in terms of being able to help them if their initial destination didn’t work out for whatever reason. This is also your opportunity to sign students up to be part of your alumni network. Remind them of former students who have been in to speak to them, how useful that was, and how they now have the chance to do that for the younger students in their school. Do that every year, and see your careers programme become alive with possibilities and opportunities, driven by the students you have already invested in. What an exciting prospect! I wonder what this cohort of Year 11s will be doing in 5 years time … you need to stay in touch with them to find out!
Want to know more?
I’d love to hear from you to understand what other topics you would like me to focus on in the coming months. Whether its further blogs, opportunities to meet ‘virtually’ to discuss topics or webinars: contact the Future First team at info@futurefirst.org.uk
Are you ready to grow your alumni network?
We currently have a special offer for new schools wanting to become members. If you join now, we’ll start your membership in September and we’ll give you June, July and August for free.
Contact us at info@futurefirst.org.uk to find out more.
