24 Nov
HSBC Careers Event – Thursday 14th NovemberOn Thursday 14th November, we took 30 Year 9 and 10 pupils to the HSBC offices in Centenary Square, Birmingham. This gave pupils the opportunity to attend workshops that provided a wealth of information about varying careers and opportunities within HSBC. The banking world was not a big discussion point on the day, but more around careers and opportunities available to pupils that HSBC sponsor and contribute to. The plan for the day was as follows, in no particular order:
1. Listening to Senior Leaders of HSBC. This involved roles in sustainability, marketing and the UK Chief of staff. It was amazing to hear their journeys, one in particular by Sally Williams (UK Chief of staff), who started 22 years ago as a cashier in a bank. HSBC provided opportunities for development and now she is at the top, overseeing around 300 banks across the UK.
Dominic in Year 10 asked a great question: What is HSBC’s outlook on investing in businesses and buying shares? Wow!! The panel were stunned.
2. Career pathways. This gave pupils an insight into how they could work for HSBC. Details on apprenticeships were given, degree apprenticeships and the A-Level/degree route. All apprenticeships offered a guaranteed job at the end of it, and pupils were encouraged to apply.
3. Developing Digital skills. This linked to how people can now start a business from their phones, and we have now become a technology savvy society where we have the ability to be successful more quickly. Pupils were given tips on how to make this happen.
4. Making money as an entrepreneur/influencer. Pupils found this particularly interesting, and they were asked to present a business proposal to the group. This got them thinking about what they could do in the future.
5. Protecting money and opening a bank account. Pupils were given support on why this is important and how to do it. There were useful tips on keeping accounts secure too. It was good to know that many of our pupils have an account and understand how the finance world operates.
6. Penguin books. HSBC have collaborated with Stormzy to create Merky books. These are accessible books and topics for all readers of the UK. The speaker asked the pupils ‘Who reads?’. They all point their hands up. He was amazed. He then reframed it and asked ‘ What about for pleasure’? They all left their hands up. He said we were the only school that were readers.
7. Cybersecurity and keeping safe on social media. Mia and Klara in Year 9 won the code breaking competition. Well done!!
8. Inspirational music. We had music from singers who were using their voice to motivate young people. This was topped off by some tracks from Roach Killer (apparently the pupils knew who he was! ;)) .Two of our pupils got up and sang with him.
It was an amazing trip, one that pupils will remember for a long time. The important pieces of advice that pupils will take from it are:
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· Always be curious
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· Have drive and ambition
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· Always be respectful
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· Be encouraging of others and supportive
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· Take your opportunities
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· Be resilient – keep going to reach your goal!!!
All pupils commented on how much they loved the trip. There are two pupils comments here:
I really enjoyed the HSBC trip as I found it a fun learning opportunity. I learned things on how to manage finances, T levels, investments, shares and many more things. My favourite part was the concert about diversity as I found it an enjoyable way to express my energy and loved the music to the point I was singing on stage. Overall the trip to HSBC was not only enjoyable and a lovely opportunity to learn, but was interesting and insightful (Dominic Araba, Y10)
The trip to HSBC was very very inspiring to me. I personally really enjoyed the variety of different sessions. My Favourite one was the book reading session as I personally really enjoy reading. Also all of my friends and I really enjoyed the interior and sleek building of the offices. At the end when they did the singing session, I was really surprised but it made me realise HSBC isn’t just a bank but it’s a lot of opportunity and jobs rather than finance and accounting. Every single session made me change my mind about my future job. By the end of the day I found out so many different types of jobs I didn’t even know existed. At lunch they served us many different things and it was delicious. Overall I think it was very fun and inspiring and I would love to go again and maybe one day get an apprenticeship there (Mahnoor Y10)
