Staff Stories – Helping young people discover their career pathway

Ellyce began working at Preston College in 2017 as a Business Administration Apprentice in the Adult Recruitment Team. Since then, she has progressed to an Enrolment Assistant, an Admissions Officer and is currently part of the Schools Liaison Team, providing young people between the ages of 14 and 19 with Careers Guidance.

Ellyce says: “The recruitment team visit local high schools on a regular basis for assemblies, workshops, option evenings, careers fairs and interview sessions. These events aren’t always during the normal working day, so you do have to work some evenings but that really suits my lifestyle. I get to take the time back and I use it to have trips out during term-time because places are less busy. I’m also a volunteer dog walker for a charity called Homeless Hounds, so when the weather is nice, I like to use my time to take a dog for a walk.”

Leaving high school can be a daunting prospect, there are hundreds of careers to choose from and in most cases, there are several ways you can enter a career. Working out the best course of action can be overwhelming – how do you choose what career is right for you, when you are still in school and have no idea? That’s where a careers advisor can help!

Ellyce explains: “A lot of young people I meet don’t know what they want to do when they leave school and I’m always happy to help them find a way forward, but I also find myself surprised when a young person asks me about a career I’ve not heard of before. The careers that are available today are so varied and there are jobs today that didn’t exist a few years ago, the young people I’m helping teach me so much – it keeps things fresh and interesting.”

For Ellyce this is a rewarding part of the job, but there is more to the role of a Recruitment, Progression and Careers Advisors at Preston College. There are opportunities to develop your skills in admin, organisation, and event planning.

Ellyce says: “People don’t always realise that the team aren’t always out in schools, there are a lot of activities onsite at the Fulwood Campus. We have a programme of events here at the College which involves planning and organising. The events are hard work and challenging at times but I love it when it all comes together, it’s really worthwhile.

I think my favourite events are the taster days that we organise for Year 10 pupils. Pupils get to visit college and experience a range of subjects to help them decide which might be right for them after school. The feedback is amazing from everyone – all our staff here, the pupils and the school staff, everyone has a great time! And then even better, when I interview Year 11 pupils and ask them why they want to come to Preston College, they say it is because of their experience during taster days.”

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Preston College has generous terms and conditions and an excellent benefits package that is intended to attract, motivate, and retain the best people to help drive the College forward. We are recognised as disability confidence employer, accredited as ‘Gold’ for Investors in People and have a range of family friendly policies.

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