The Coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on many aspects of our lives. It has forced a collective turn to working from home and has greatly affected education with children learning from home for many months. Disruption to work experience and employer contact opportunities for two academic years has also taken away an important part of students’ career education. Marble Arch colleagues have stepped in to support local schools, ensuring that young people still have the opportunity to explore potential careers despite work experience placements being cancelled.

In February 2021, volunteers from Advanced Accelerator Applications led an interactive virtual careers panel with students at King Solomon Academy, inspiring young people to consider the broad range of careers in the Pharmaceutical industry.

In March 2021, senior women leaders from London Marriott Marble Arch, Galliford Try and Advanced Accelerator Applications joined forces to celebrate International Women’s Day with students at St Marylebone CE School. The panelists discussed their roles, careers paths, and the life lessons they learnt working in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

Marble Arch volunteers have provided much-needed career support in the absence of work experience opportunities due to the pandemic. Students were able to engage directly with local employees, as well as explore future options. Volunteers also provided an adult role model outside of the pupils’ school and family networks.

If you’re feeling inspired by the fantastic work of Marble Arch volunteers in local schools and would like to get your colleagues involved, do get in touch with our community team. We have a number of opportunities available to support local schools. These include leading virtual career panels, conducting virtual mock interviews or reviewing pupils’ CVs.