WORKING THEIR WAY UP: left to right: Anna Graham, Bertie Deakin and Lewis Chesterman
From a high-end London design agency to a global stock trading company, work experience for these three Bournemouth students was far from run-of-the-mill.
The Avonbourne sixth formers were able to stretch their wings when they left home for the week to take up exciting job opportunities.
Lewis Chesterman, 17, even left the UK to work for ETX Capital in Denmark – a global company which provides technology to stock traders.
And Bertie Deakin and Anna Graham teamed up to work in the Big Smoke for international firm Heavenly Branding, which boasts England Rugby, Sky, Fulham Football Club and HSBC among its clients.
While Lewis was tasked with updating ETX’s mammoth database of clients, Bertie and Anna were challenged to come up with a new brand for a hypothetical bike shop in Tunbridge Wells.
Bertie, who would like to go into illustration, said: “It was a real eye-opener for me, especially how you can apply art to the world of work and make a living from it.”
Anna added: “The whole experience was great — being in London, seeing what life is like in the workplace and seeing how all types of skills are brought together to make a successful business.”
For Anna the experience has made her more determined to succeed as an illustrator or make-up artist.
While Lewis, who is weighing up his options on what he would like to do after studying, said he’ll never forget his work experience abroad: “It was enlightening –and fun!”
All Year 12 students from Avonbourne Sixth Form took a break from their studies for a week to take up placements in the world of work, including placements in medical departments at Bournemouth Hospital, the banking and insurance sectors, sports coaching opportunities and education.
Executive headteacher of Avonbourne Trust, Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, said: “Throughout our students’ time at Avonbourne we prepare them for the world of work and encourage an entrepreneurial spirit in them all.
“These amazing work placements provide a fantastic opportunity for our sixth formers to develop their skills, helping them to make that final decision on what they would like to go on to do after school or university.”
