Subject Career Information

Dear parents and students,

Within this page, you can find opportunities to expand your awareness of your subjects and gain a better understanding of the career prospects they can provide you with. The opportunities will be updated throughout the school year. Below I have also detailed a series of websites which are particularly useful for virtual work experience and guidance. If any student wishes to receive career advice, contact Miss Davison at davisa@cvms.co.uk.

Kind regards,

Miss Davison

Second in charge of Future Pathways

Virtual work experience opportunities

Spring pod: https://www.springpod.com/

Students should use Springpod because it offers free, accessible, and flexible virtual work experience programs that connect them with top employers across diverse industries. Through interactive webinars, assignments, and real-world projects, students gain valuable insights into careers, build employability skills, and earn certificates to enhance their CVs or university applications. The platform's on-demand structure allows students to complete modules at their own pace, making it ideal for balancing academic commitments. Additionally, Springpod helps students explore career paths, including STEM, healthcare, business, and creative industries, in an inclusive and equitable way, regardless of their financial or geographic constraints.

Future Learn: https://www.futurelearn.com/

Students should consider learning with FutureLearn because it provides access to a vast array of online courses from leading universities and institutions worldwide. These courses cover diverse topics, from technology and business to humanities and healthcare, helping students develop critical skills for the future. FutureLearn’s platform encourages interactive learning through videos, quizzes, and discussions with peers and educators, making it an engaging experience. Additionally, its flexible structure allows students to learn at their own pace, accommodating various schedules. Certificates offered for completed courses also boost resumes and academic profiles, preparing students for both higher education and professional careers.

UNIFROG: https://www.unifrog.org/

Students should use Unifrog because it is a comprehensive platform that supports their educational and career aspirations by simplifying the process of exploring opportunities. Unifrog enables students to research universities, apprenticeships, and careers across the globe with detailed, accessible information in one place. The platform also offers tools to help students write personal statements, build CVs, and track their achievements, which are invaluable for applications to higher education or jobs. Additionally, Unifrog encourages personalised learning by suggesting options tailored to individual preferences and abilities, fostering informed and confident decision-making

Computer Science

Competitions:

RCSU Science Challenge – Keep an eye out for the 2025 entrance to open!

Work experience:

https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/technology-work-experience/WEXP-00079

Courses:

Free: Code Academy or Udemy to program for free online at home in their own time.

Fee paying: (https://www.oxfordscholastica.com/online-summer-school/courses/).

Articles:

https://news.mit.edu/topic/computers

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2454825-3d-printing-with-light-and-sound-could-let-us-copy-human-organs/

Classical Civilisation

Competition:

Classics For All is running the following competition for under 25s:

Why is Classics Important?

To enter, students must:

Read the rules on the website carefully
Complete the entry form before the deadline (23:59 GMT on 31 January 2025)
Submit their response to the question ‘Why is Classics Important?’
Complete the form and submit their response at the same time to ensure their entry is correctly processed.
Responses must be sent to engagement@classicalassociation.org. In the email students must state their name(s), age and age category, and the type of response (e.g. manifesto/poster/presentation).

Their response can be ONE of the following:

A written manifesto of 500-2000 words (sent as a PDF)
A poster, which can contain up to 500 words, as well as images (sent as a PDF or jpg)
A video presentation of maximum 15 minutes (sent as a link to an unlisted YouTube video)

Prizes available: More than £2000 prize money will be shared between winning entrants in the Write | Speak | Design Competitions. The winner of each age category will receive a special prize and shortlisted entrants will receive digital certificates. All entrants will be entered into a Prize Draw from which random winners will be selected.

https://classicalassociation.org/under-25s-competition/

Work Experience

Historic England offers a virtual work experience programme for young people aged 15 and over, twice per year. The fun, interactive and informative programme is designed to give delegates an insight into the wonderful careers available within heritage.

It includes live content, talks from guest speakers and the opportunity to contribute to some of Historic England's work as they champion historic places to help people understand, value and care for them.

https://historicengland.org.uk/services-skills/education/work-experience/

Articles:

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/classics/study/undergraduate/alumni-careers

https://issuu.com/bloomsburypublishing/docs/classics_magazine_draft-6_1_

Music

Arts festival:

Richmond upon Thames Performing Arts Festival

The Festival is open to amateur performers of any age in the arts of music, dance and drama and it is just that – a festival of the arts with the emphasis on performance in a supportive, relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Performances are arranged in sections relative to age and levels of attainment at a variety of venues across the borough of Richmond upon Thames during February, March and May annually.

http://www.richmondfestival.org.uk/

Competitions:

Vivaldi International Music Competition

An open competition for musicians of all ages from around the world, with categories including composition, voice, conducting, and more.

https://www.vivaldicompetition.com/

ISA Music Composition Competition

This competition offers pupils an opportunity to use both mathematical and creative thinking by composing an original piece of music. Open to Key Stages 2-5.

https://www.isaschools.org.uk/arts/music/composer-competition.html

Musical courses:

Coursera

Music courses online – learn music theory, history and performance. Understand musical notation, genres and instruments.

Catalogue of courses to choose from:

https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=music

Rodolfus Choral Course

Provided opportunities for young singers aged 16-21 to learn excellent choral singing from the leading educators in their field.

https://www.therodolfusfoundation.org.uk/choral-courses-2024

The Choral and Organ Awards Open Day

Oxford - https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/visiting-and-outreach/outreach-events/choral-and-organ-awards-open-day

Cambridge - https://www.cmp.cam.ac.uk/choral-awards-open-day/

Opportunities to visit:

Handel and Hendrix Museum

In a single street in London, separated by a wall, are the homes of two of history’s most significant musical artists.

https://handelhendrix.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA88a5BhDPARIsAFj595hZ0PmSQe48G7VXUzJhMAXDhuZrWnfG_XHnxeJ9VYaMrscN5uR8KykaAqmwEALw_wcB

25 Brook Street, London, W1K 4HB

The Musical Museum

A collection of self-playing musical instruments, including pianolas, orchestrions, barrel organs and many other fascinating objects. An impressive collection of over 20,000 music rolls stored and actively curated in a purpose-built library.

https://www.museumslondon.org/museum/165/the-musical-museum

399 High Street, Brentford TW8 0DU

Careers resources:

Breaking into the music industry – BBC Bitesize

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zfx296f

Music career advice and articles

Catalogue of relevant articles - https://tomhess.net/MusicCareerArticles.aspx

Geography

Competition:

Young Geographer of the Year - https://www.rgs.org/schools/competitions/young-geographer-of-the-year. Competition opens June 1st each year, and deadline for entries is early October.

Work experience opportunity:

MET Office Forecasting your Future (virtual work experience): https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/met-office-careers-forecasting-your-future/WEXP-00356 (ages 13-18). Once completing this, students in Fourth Form and above can then apply for in-person work experience: https://careers.metoffice.gov.uk/early-careers/work-experience

Article:

'Why Geographers are Employable'

https://www.rgs.org/choose-geography/choose-a-career-with-geography/why-geographers-are-employable