Writes Sue Grice, Head of Careers
Over the summer, students across the School were invited to take part in our annual Summer Careers Challenge. Students were encouraged to use some of the long summer holiday to explore areas of career interest through activities such as work experience, volunteering, online courses, lectures, research projects and employer engagement.
The challenge encourages boys to develop curiosity about the world of work and to build a deeper understanding of their own interests, strengths and aspirations. Just as importantly, it asks them to reflect on what they have learned and how those experiences might influence future decisions about subjects, university courses and careers.
This year’s entries demonstrated impressive initiative, motivation and thoughtfulness. Students pursued interests ranging from medicine, engineering and robotics to finance, sustainability, law and languages. Many stepped outside their comfort zones and discovered opportunities they had never previously considered.
One student reflected that “my ideas about my future career path have expanded into sustainability management and preserving habitats around the UK which I hadn’t considered before.” Another commented that “I have discovered that being a doctor is completely different than what I expected.” These moments of discovery are exactly why the challenge exists.
Eight students were selected as winners for both the quality of their engagement and the depth of reflection shown in their submissions. Congratulations to Rishaan S., Avyan G., Shaurjesh B. (all Divs), Viraj V., Eliyaan J., Hrim D. (all 5ths), Rohan G. (L6th) and Krishay V. (U6th), who each received a gift voucher in recognition of their achievements.
Our overall winner was Krishay V. (U6th), an aspiring Materials Scientist, whose submission demonstrated exceptional commitment. Over the summer he successfully secured places on three separate in-person work experience programmes, taking part in projects involving robotics, engineering design and crystal growth. His reflections showed a genuine enthusiasm for seeing how ideas and concepts are put into practice in professional settings, as well as a willingness to engage with industry experts about future opportunities.
Reflecting on his experiences, he wrote: “I enjoyed seeing how theory I learn in the classroom can be applied to engineering scenarios and how problem-solving skills are so important to succeed in the workplace as you must be flexible and adaptable.”
He also highlighted how engineering projects brought together multiple specialisms, noting that “all these functions are incredibly multidisciplinary, so learning about many different engineering disciplines and seeing how all of these interact together was enjoyable.”
Perhaps the most valuable part of the Summer Careers Challenge comes at the end of the process, when students consider the questions “So what?” and “Now what?”. Their answers frequently reveal a growing self-awareness and confidence in navigating future choices.
One student concluded that “rather than feeling I need to choose one path now, I want to keep exploring and let my experiences shape that decision.” Another explained that, although still interested in finance, they were now “more motivated to explore different pathways before making a final decision.” For many, the challenge not only reinforced existing ambitions but opened doors to entirely new possibilities.
Whether students confirmed a long-held ambition, discovered a new area of interest, or ruled out a potential career path, they gained something valuable: a better understanding of themselves and the opportunities available to them. The gift vouchers are a welcome reward, but the real prize is the insight, confidence and self-reflection that will help guide future decisions.
