City professionals help young Londoners explore the working world

Young Londoners explore career options in financial and professional services

Knowing which path to take after leaving full time education can be difficult, but with the right information, guidance and support it can be a lot easier to understand the options available.

Schools may have broken up for Easter half term, but some students have been working as hard as ever.

The Brokerage Easter boot camp(Learning about the insurance industry with a visit to Markel in the Walkie Talkie building)

Invited to take part in an Easter boot camp as part of our Gateway to City Careers programme, funded by the Worshipful Company of International Bankers, 29 young people (aged 16-18) spent three days exploring the different financial services sectors, including banking, insurance, law and property.

Held at a variety of London businesses, the sessions helped our young people to develop key employability skills whilst introducing them to a variety of roles found within a business.

Reflecting on their time spent at law firm Reed Smith, one student said “I’ve learnt that it’s not just lawyers that work in a law firm. There are so many different roles.”

The Brokerage Easter boot camp(Our candidates speak to professionals about working life)

With employee volunteers on hand to answer the students’ questions and offer support throughout group tasks, the young people have seen first-hand what goes on within some of London’s leading companies and gained an understanding of the skills and qualifications they’d need to work in such a company themselves.

Law firm Bates Wells Braithwaite who hosted one of the sessions commented on their involvement:

“Working with The Brokerage has been a pleasure, particularly as the great work that it does clearly resonates with Bates Wells’ values. Our people really appreciated getting the chance to share some real-world experience and practical insights to help our visitors to acquire a clearer understanding of what it’s like to work in a modern professional environment”.  

Bates Wells Braithwaite(Students pose for a group photo with volunteers on the terrace at Bates Wells Braithwaite)

We’re extremely grateful to the host companies who have helped to inspire the next generation.  Thank you to Bates Wells Braithwaite, Deutsche Bank, Cushman & Wakefield, Reed Smith LLP, Markel, U.S. Bank and Elavon!

Could we provide your company with meaningful volunteering opportunities? If you’re a London-based company working in financial and professional services, we’d love to hear from you!

  • I’d like to thank you for giving students the opportunity to take part in the schools essay competition. It was an enriching experience for all participants.

    Teacher