Careers advice, mentoring and work experience – how you can help........

We have been in discussions with the School to identify activities which we could offer, especially to younger members, as part of our OSA membership benefits. For sixth formers, new school leavers and those of you who may have joined the association relatively recently, we recognise that any help with ‘getting a step up’ in your chosen career can be invaluable. The Headmaster is also keen to be able to take advantage of the broad range of experience, knowledge and contacts of OSA members to help provide students with careers advice, mentoring and work placement opportunities.

This might take the form of relatively simple things such as providing advice over the phone or speaking to small groups of sixth formers over lunch at school, through to running mock interviews to help students gain experience, or providing short term work experience placements. Any assistance we can provide can help enormously. It doesn’t have to take a lot of your time and is very much appreciated by the students and school leavers, and of course by the School.

Our members are ideally placed to provide this help, and we already have some practical solutions. For instance, the regular Birmingham ‘Business Group’ networking meetings are attracting many more of our younger members, and we have established a fast growing Linked In group.

However, we need to increase the information we have about those of you who would be willing to provide further help. The membership database we have developed provides the ideal vehicle for this, so please login via the website (or register if you haven’t already), and update your personal details to indicate areas where you have expertise - and of course your willingness to assist.

In order to access your record on the database login from the home page and to the right of the page under quick profle you will see a link "Update OSA Information".  Click on this, amend your details (you'll find the careers advice section right at the bottom of the page) and click OK at the end.  Job done!

No matter what stage in your career you have reached, or whatever career path you have followed – business, academia, the arts, the professions, medicine, sport or anything else - there could be a valuable role for you. And don’t forget that your fellow members and future Old Silhillians can benefit from advice and help from others at all stages in their career – whether you’ve made it to the top or are still in training or still at university.

If you are willing to get involved please update your profile now at www.silhillians.net| or email us at careers@silhillians.net|