To embrace new career challenges in the era of AI
Just as the automobile replaced the horse-drawn carriage as the primary means of transportation since the twentieth century, today's rapid advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) has inspired more and more people from all walks of life to ponder over the future of the industry. How to embrace the increasing opportunities of the future with an open mind has become an integral skill for the new generation of pupils. In order to keep our Wellington pupils abreast of the times and welcome the ever-changing world with a positive attitude, and also in the spirit of National Careers Week (NCW) in the UK, the primary school of Wellington College International Hangzhou held its 2023 Careers Week. The aim was to engage pupils in career-related activities to help support young people develop awareness and excitement about their future pathways, laying a solid foundation.
Our university and career guidance programme
Starting in Year 9 at Wellington, our university guidance team provides pupils with a full range of college and career courses until they graduate from Wellington.
The team help pupils find opportunities for practical experience in line with their interested careers. Pupils acquire online work experience like Forage with help from our team. We are constantly engaged in dialogue with companies and organisations regarding internship opportunities suitable for our pupils. We continue to hold a variety of other major career engagement events and guest speeches in order to help our pupils to explore unlimited career pathways. We also support our pupils in applying for online talks and seminars and encourage pupils to join summer school programmes.
Our 2023 Primary Careers Week aimed to inspire primary school pupils to develop career awareness and interest. Among the diverse career-related activities, we also invited members of the Wellington community to be speakers and career leaders to broaden children's eyes to their careers and future.
Sherley Zhao
University Counsellor
The university counselling team designed an ambitious series of whole school activities that all tutors and subject teachers across Wellington College Campus delivered to help better support our pupils investigate the constantly changing world of career opportunities. For homeroom and year group tutors, we prepared tutor time activities like job quizzes, career-themed crosswords, creative writing on pathways, moral debates on career topics, etc. Specialist subject teachers wove the theme directly to link their school subjects and the relevant skills necessary for corresponding future careers and delivered to students as a lesson starter during the week.
Carousel of career challenges
This year’s Big Skills Challenge was launched at the end of Lent term, allowing primary pupils the chance to complete the planned carousel of challenges during the spring break and enabling everyone the opportunity to win a badge and certificate based on their performance and participation. The challenge focused on everyday activities such as trying a new hobby and designing your own games, consequently leading students to explore their skills and career potential.
This year’s grand finale was staged at Wellington Primary and after a packed week that included an exciting programme of innovative challenges exploring learning linked to careers, it culminated in our inaugural Primary Careers Fair on Friday. It showcased the ability to open children’s eyes to more possibilities and encouraged them to think outside the box, allowing discovery of new options and opportunities. Research has shown that in many cases, good career guidance at an early age can help pupils choose the right path that leads them to success, not just in education but also in life beyond.
An enormous thank you to our guest speakers who volunteered their time and expertise at our inaugural Primary Careers Fair for their superb presentations inspiring our primary children from Years 1 - 6. There is a saying that ‘You cannot be what you cannot see’ and this careers fair has, without doubt, opened young eyes to future prospects.
The range of careers was eclectic, and with gratitude, we present our speakers below.
Ms Zhu, Senior Manager at Alibaba
Career-related events like Careers Week help children see with a clearer vision the future careers, thus empowering them to strive for it.
Dr Nagpal, Dental Surgeon
I think at this time it's more important to follow your passion about what you're interested in rather than follow where more people are going. I love that the thing we do, gives people smiles.
Ms Wang, Fashion Designer
When it comes to career choices, I am believer of doing what one loves. In my case, fashion design has been my passion since I was a child, and that is why I choose to be a fashion designer.
Ms Hasanpour, Mechanical Engineer
My advice is to stay focused and value your own strength.
Ms Ling, Oil Painting Artist
I hope to guide the children to incorporate their observations, imagination, and sincere feelings into their works.
Mr Bauman, Podcast Host and Entrepreneur Coach
Having a passion and then developing some form of being able to communicate is incredible.
Mr Liu, Game Designer
While playing games, we need to hear what others say, to play it with others and enjoy the fun it brings.
Mr De Rosario, Engineer at Apple
In 10 year’s time, I think Chatgpt could be beneficial to the world for saving water on earth and things like that.
The children asked some insightful questions showing great interest and Wellington Values of respect when addressing parent speakers. There was a real atmosphere of excitement amongst both pupils and parents, and it was wonderful to see the inspiration of the next generation in real time.
Prince, Year 6
My favourite career is an engineer; engineers are cool because they build so many things like machines which can help people live better.
Julia, Year 6
I am Julia from Year 6 and I had a really nice afternoon learning about all these careers.
Brian, Year 5
My name is Brian. I'm from 5B. I enjoy careers week because I like to think about creating a new game. It really makes my brain imagine something brilliant.
Formal careers education at Wellington starts relatively early. The aim in primary years is not only to start the thought process early but to try to inspire pupils and ignite within them a small flame of interest which will hopefully burn brighter as the years go by.
More career related support for Wellington pupils
Other than support to primary pupils, our professional university guidance team also provides professional career guidance for our senior and sixth form pupils.
Weekly university preparation lessons
In university preparation classes, the team provides pupils with perspectives on careers and guidance for their CVs, we lead them to explore their career potential and interests. Meanwhile, we instruct them to think about their university courses accordingly.
Fun fact: Leonardo Da Vinci is generally considered the first resume maker.
- Individual 1-to-1 sessions with pupils and their parents
- Access to top resources from Unifrog for pupils to research all aspects of university life
- Mock interviews with subject specialists
- Ongoing personalised support with the entire university application process including assistance with personal statements and essays
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