Work Experience 2003

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1002.gifLower Sixth pupils of the Wallace High School recently spent one week work shadowing various employers in Ireland, England and Scotland. The Work Shadowing experience is a valuable part of Careers provision in the school, affording pupils the opportnuity to gain insights into the working lives of a wide range of people including doctors, engineers and bankers, whilst allowing the pupils to develop their own skills and knowledge.

In many cases the pupils enjoyed a very hands on experience for example designing engineering components, emailing or telephoning European companies whilst practising their French, Spanish or German , building computers and even writing advertisements. Others were able to observe operations and court cases, act as classroom assistants and even sell sports cars!

1002a.gifMrs Margaret Mitchell, Wallace’s Assistant Head of Careers, who coordinated the event commented, “Our Lower Sixth pupils are currently researching future career options as they will be completing their UCAS forms in the autumn.Their recent first hand experiences have undoubtedly helped them make these difficult but very important decisions.

Through shadowing, weekly careers tutorials, mock interviews and numerous visits and guest speakers we encourage our pupils to think carefully about their future careers.”The pupils themselves also reacted most favourably to their week away from the classroom.

Ashley Logan, one of several Wallace pupils who spent the week in the Royal and City hospitals, said, “The prospect of a week in hospital usually sparks fear in most people’s eyes…the smell of disinfectant, the clinical white interior and the sigh of blood might be off putting for some but my work shadowing week confirmed my desire to pursue a career in medicine. I had the opportunity of spending time in a range of departments as diverse as paedeatrics, pathology and obstetrics. All the staff were very helpful and my white coat hads to be prised off me at the end of the week.”

17 year old Andrew Watson spent a week with a barrister, “I travelled to various courts around the province and witnessed a range of cases including fraud and robbery.” Sophie Preston, also hopes to pursue a legal career. She thoroughly enjoyed her placement at the Royal Courts of Justice. “I was very impressed by the variety of a barrister’s work – no two days are ever the same.”

Rose Montgomery learnt a great deal on her week with Optimus Slotions, a computer firm. ” I’m considering a career in business or computer programming so this placement was ideal for me. The possibility of helping other businesses maximise their potential through developing their IT provision is very exciting.”

Mrs Mitchell concluded, ” We at Wallace are very grateful to all the employers who helped make this week so beneficial and rewarding for all our Lower Sixth pupils.”

Last modified: September 20, 2023