Staying Ahead
There a number of ways in which every pupil can stay ahead but we are very happy to suggest specific tips for specific fields
General
Extra-curricular activity- Always proves enthusiasm, time management, commitment, leadership, creativity and teamwork.
Superactivity- In your proposed area of study or employment, this proves your passion.
Charisma- Bablake pupils are happy, stunning individuals and that confidence makes you employable!
Think positively and Look Confident- If you believe you can, so often you will.
Playing tough- You don't need to be nasty or back-stabbing, you just need to know the right tactics.
Results- So often these open the first door but do not despair if they are not exceptional, as much is still possible.
Don't Be Scared of Failure- So much is learnt from mistakes and testing yourself is the key thing.
Smile- A natural smile is infectious and laughter is so often the best medicine.
Keep up-to-date- Knowledge of current trends and your world is vital.
Maintain an impeccable digital portfolio- Blog, tweet and offer proof of your best thoughts and work.
Talk- Network with people who have done or are doing what you want to do.
Work Experience- Test out professions and build your networks. Think laterally- e.g. working for charities at a music festival could combine work and play, mixing work experience with an interest, but also allow you to network inside a competitive industry.
I Could and Prospects- Fantastic websites offering excellent advice on how to move forward.
Know Your Subject!
It sounds obvious but we often find people initially choose a subject to study or career to tackle because it sounds good and don't do the best research: for example, people express an interest in Law without really knowing what it entails. As with so many professions, it is very rewarding but you must know the areas to be studied, the different routes into the profession with or without an initial law degree and the branch you want to pursue once qualified. Russ Thorne's article in the Independent goes a long way towards offering some clear, basic information on this profession, if you click here.
Specific Areas
As well as the above, follow some of this specific advice:
Business, Finance and Management
Research: A keen interest in current affairs, business news, brand marketing and more is very important. Many firms (e.g. Deloitte, PwC, KPMG) run insight days for interested pupils.
Extra-curricular: Young Enterprise and similar activities (e.g. fundraising, charity events, front of house, school prom) are very helpful as are team activities. Any evidence of leadership is very helpful too.
Think about this! Is a degree vital? For graduate employers, it will be and some may want a Master's degree too? For many, a degree is not essential- click here to read about the Skillionaires!
Interesting Resource: Laura Morris (Rentabuggy and Educate Business) has worked with local accountants Fox Evans on a guide for new start up businesses. Click here.
Placements: If you choose a university route, it is immensely useful to choose a 4 year degree with a placement year, as you will gain vital contacts and experience.
Journalism
Research: Broadcast? Print? Magazine? Newspaper? Niche? Degree in what? Degree or not?
Action: Proof of interest as intended enthusiasm alone is not enough. You need to blog, tweet, podcast, film, write, edit etc. Build a network of media contacts.
Portfolio: Urls and/or physical printed articles. Attention to deadlines?
Think about this! Where is your expertise? Is it in everything or are you going to write about a particular expertise?
Current Affairs: Is there a place for journalism in a digital age and how will technology affect this?
Law
Research: Routes? Degree in Law or not? Do all universities offer the same course? European Law? Solicitor or barrister? Open Days? Courses? LNAT?
Action: Visit the Courts and sit in the public galleries. Talk to solicitors, barristers, the police, legal executives, the probation service.
Current Affairs: Which legal issues are in the news and which have interested you most?
Proof Of Interest? Future Plans?
Why Law?
Medicine, Dentistry and other Health related courses
Research: Course content and teaching style? BMAT and/ or UKCAT? What discipline will you follow after your degree? Knowledge of NHS- funding, politics?
Action: Extension lessons- these start in January of the L6th with Mrs Barnacle or Mr Hall. Range of work experience- hospital, general practice, private, voluntary commitment. Gold Crest project. Attend a course at University Hospital (February- 3 days- c£50) or George Eliot to give knowledge of local hospital. 'So you want to be a doctor' and 'So you want to be a brain surgeon' are both vital reads. Manual dexterity- art, craft, textiles, music, hockey etc offer proof that you could do intricate surgical work. Talk to former pupils who are current undergrads or newly qualified. Seriously consider first aid courses, life-saving and work with organisations like St John Ambulance as real proof of your suitability and interest.
Think about this! Would you lap up the scientific research or prefer direct, hands-on practice? This will affect which medical schools you want to apply to.
Vital! A regular commitment at a care home, hospice or hospital. Work at a charity shop also good but contact with the elderly or ill is important. Also you must convince an interviewer of your path after a degree. Interview practice important since you are bound to have an interview. Team activity is very important- e.g. voluntary work, House involvement, commitment to a school society or club, charity events, sport, drama, music, Young Enterprise, magazine...
Gap Year: If you are rejected by your 4 choices, don't give up. Possibly apply to 4 new choices the next year and plan a gap year to include a few months working as a volunteer in a hospital or hospice. Work of this nature abroad is also good.
Don't give up! If L6th AS grades are low and predictions not AAB, consider Biochemistry or Biomedical Science degree and then the 4 year Graduate conversion to Medicine. Or hit 3As at A2 and take a gap year to apply.
Modern Languages
Research: Course content- practical, traditional, business related? Erasmus? University or not? Study abroad?
Action: Ensure fluency. Spend an extended period abroad. Learn a wide range of languages. Get online- read foreign newspapers, magazines and websites; listen to foreign radio; watch foreign TV.
Think about this! A language skill will give you an international appeal in any profession.
Bablake Case Study: Daniel Friebe- Languages graduate, expert cycling journalist and author, whose gap year was spent in France and Italy, working on a golf course and led to work writing about the Tour de France before university.
If an area is not listed above, ask us direct.
There a number of ways in which every pupil can stay ahead but we are very happy to suggest specific tips for specific fields
General
Extra-curricular activity- Always proves enthusiasm, time management, commitment, leadership, creativity and teamwork.
Superactivity- In your proposed area of study or employment, this proves your passion.
Charisma- Bablake pupils are happy, stunning individuals and that confidence makes you employable!
Think positively and Look Confident- If you believe you can, so often you will.
Playing tough- You don't need to be nasty or back-stabbing, you just need to know the right tactics.
Results- So often these open the first door but do not despair if they are not exceptional, as much is still possible.
Don't Be Scared of Failure- So much is learnt from mistakes and testing yourself is the key thing.
Smile- A natural smile is infectious and laughter is so often the best medicine.
Keep up-to-date- Knowledge of current trends and your world is vital.
Maintain an impeccable digital portfolio- Blog, tweet and offer proof of your best thoughts and work.
Talk- Network with people who have done or are doing what you want to do.
Work Experience- Test out professions and build your networks. Think laterally- e.g. working for charities at a music festival could combine work and play, mixing work experience with an interest, but also allow you to network inside a competitive industry.
I Could and Prospects- Fantastic websites offering excellent advice on how to move forward.
Know Your Subject!
It sounds obvious but we often find people initially choose a subject to study or career to tackle because it sounds good and don't do the best research: for example, people express an interest in Law without really knowing what it entails. As with so many professions, it is very rewarding but you must know the areas to be studied, the different routes into the profession with or without an initial law degree and the branch you want to pursue once qualified. Russ Thorne's article in the Independent goes a long way towards offering some clear, basic information on this profession, if you click here.
Specific Areas
As well as the above, follow some of this specific advice:
Business, Finance and Management
Research: A keen interest in current affairs, business news, brand marketing and more is very important. Many firms (e.g. Deloitte, PwC, KPMG) run insight days for interested pupils.
Extra-curricular: Young Enterprise and similar activities (e.g. fundraising, charity events, front of house, school prom) are very helpful as are team activities. Any evidence of leadership is very helpful too.
Think about this! Is a degree vital? For graduate employers, it will be and some may want a Master's degree too? For many, a degree is not essential- click here to read about the Skillionaires!
Interesting Resource: Laura Morris (Rentabuggy and Educate Business) has worked with local accountants Fox Evans on a guide for new start up businesses. Click here.
Placements: If you choose a university route, it is immensely useful to choose a 4 year degree with a placement year, as you will gain vital contacts and experience.
Journalism
Research: Broadcast? Print? Magazine? Newspaper? Niche? Degree in what? Degree or not?
Action: Proof of interest as intended enthusiasm alone is not enough. You need to blog, tweet, podcast, film, write, edit etc. Build a network of media contacts.
Portfolio: Urls and/or physical printed articles. Attention to deadlines?
Think about this! Where is your expertise? Is it in everything or are you going to write about a particular expertise?
Current Affairs: Is there a place for journalism in a digital age and how will technology affect this?
Law
Research: Routes? Degree in Law or not? Do all universities offer the same course? European Law? Solicitor or barrister? Open Days? Courses? LNAT?
Action: Visit the Courts and sit in the public galleries. Talk to solicitors, barristers, the police, legal executives, the probation service.
Current Affairs: Which legal issues are in the news and which have interested you most?
Proof Of Interest? Future Plans?
Why Law?
Medicine, Dentistry and other Health related courses
Research: Course content and teaching style? BMAT and/ or UKCAT? What discipline will you follow after your degree? Knowledge of NHS- funding, politics?
Action: Extension lessons- these start in January of the L6th with Mrs Barnacle or Mr Hall. Range of work experience- hospital, general practice, private, voluntary commitment. Gold Crest project. Attend a course at University Hospital (February- 3 days- c£50) or George Eliot to give knowledge of local hospital. 'So you want to be a doctor' and 'So you want to be a brain surgeon' are both vital reads. Manual dexterity- art, craft, textiles, music, hockey etc offer proof that you could do intricate surgical work. Talk to former pupils who are current undergrads or newly qualified. Seriously consider first aid courses, life-saving and work with organisations like St John Ambulance as real proof of your suitability and interest.
Think about this! Would you lap up the scientific research or prefer direct, hands-on practice? This will affect which medical schools you want to apply to.
Vital! A regular commitment at a care home, hospice or hospital. Work at a charity shop also good but contact with the elderly or ill is important. Also you must convince an interviewer of your path after a degree. Interview practice important since you are bound to have an interview. Team activity is very important- e.g. voluntary work, House involvement, commitment to a school society or club, charity events, sport, drama, music, Young Enterprise, magazine...
Gap Year: If you are rejected by your 4 choices, don't give up. Possibly apply to 4 new choices the next year and plan a gap year to include a few months working as a volunteer in a hospital or hospice. Work of this nature abroad is also good.
Don't give up! If L6th AS grades are low and predictions not AAB, consider Biochemistry or Biomedical Science degree and then the 4 year Graduate conversion to Medicine. Or hit 3As at A2 and take a gap year to apply.
Modern Languages
Research: Course content- practical, traditional, business related? Erasmus? University or not? Study abroad?
Action: Ensure fluency. Spend an extended period abroad. Learn a wide range of languages. Get online- read foreign newspapers, magazines and websites; listen to foreign radio; watch foreign TV.
Think about this! A language skill will give you an international appeal in any profession.
Bablake Case Study: Daniel Friebe- Languages graduate, expert cycling journalist and author, whose gap year was spent in France and Italy, working on a golf course and led to work writing about the Tour de France before university.
If an area is not listed above, ask us direct.
