On Saturday we hosted the 2018 Careers and Higher Education Convention, to which Benenden welcomed delegates from top UK and international universities, gap year organisations, blue chip companies and career representatives.
They spoke to current students, parents, staff and visiting schools about life in higher education, application processes, apprenticeship schemes and career pathways – not to mention the opportunity to travel to far-flung places and participate in volunteer projects. Information flowed thick and fast and many students benefited from the range of enlightening and instructive workshops covering topics such as engineering, design and making a university application, through to cookery, finance and medicine.Amongst the attendees were universities such as Edinburgh, St Andrews, Durham, Exeter, Imperial College – London, Sheffield, New College of the Humanities, UEA, Nottingham, Cardiff, SOAS, University of the Arts and many others.
International higher education was represented by HKUST, Burnett Global Education Ltd, New York Film Academy and Savannah College of Art and Design. Dukes Education, A-list UK and Sporting Elite were also on hand to talk to students and parents about applying to US universities, preparing for US admissions tests and sports scholarships.Since many students now are keen to experience a gap year before embarking on their next educational or career step, we were delighted to welcome more delegates than ever representing gap year organisations.We heard from companies offering support with travelling, volunteering and working opportunities. Some of these were highly specific, including art history, medicine, skiing, working on super yachts and law/human rights. Help was also at hand with preparation, including Language Schools and the development of culinary skills.
Parents and students alike were fascinated by the range of careers ably represented by companies, parents and Seniors, including HM Forces – Army, National Trust, Engineering, Wine Making, National Trust, Cookery through Rosemary Shrager’s Cookery School, Events Management, Fashion/Design, Film/Media, Financial Services and Banking, Publishing, Law, Marketing and Communications, PR, Veterinary Medicine, Physiotherapy and Medicine.The whole of SCN was buzzing with activity from 10.00am to 2.00pm and we were particularly pleased to welcome pupils and parents from seven other local schools – Judd, Battle Abbey, Cranbrook, Homewood, Weald of Kent, Sevenoaks Prep and The John Wallis Church of England Academy.
We would like to thank all the delegates, who included current parents, staff and Seniors, for investing so much time in advising students, parents and visitors.