EARLY CAREERS
THE BUSINESS CASE FOR SCHOOL AGE
>>
One of our key broadening access programmes, the Smart Start Experience, aimed at 16-17 year olds from some of the most difficult backgrounds, reaches over 100 a year – over 400 since we started in 2009.
Does it make sense for a business to work with school age students, particularly if the majority of your new employees are expected to have been to university? The benefits to the students are self-evident but does it bring real benefits commercially? Susan Hazledine, former Graduate Recruitment Partner and now Head of Social Investment at Allen & Overy LLP, an international law firm, thinks investing in school students from some of the most challenging backgrounds is not only the right thing to do, it also makes perfect business sense.
L
ack of social mobility, where few achieve beyond the educational or professional attainment of their
parents, is a failure to nurture potential – a key issue in an internationally competitive world. But an individual company may feel there is a limit to what it can do, or may believe it can attract good enough candidates without investing in younger students.
But is good enough, good enough? Recruiting the very best is the ultimate differentiator, particularly in people- orientated businesses such as professional services. Recruiting only from a narrow pool jeopardises that quest. What many students lack, particularly those who would be first to university in their family or who come from more deprived backgrounds, is not ability but information. Without it students won’t choose the best subjects or know which universities are most visited by employers. They won’t understand what extra-curricular activities will most impress or the importance of work experience. Raw talent will not have the confidence or know how and when to apply. Employers can change this – and describe more accurately what they want than schools. Informing and inspiring talented students increases the talent pool.
Why work with some who have faced the biggest challenges? Arguably the character traits many of us are looking for – resilience, determination, ability to deal with adversity – have already been demonstrated by those who have not had the easiest start in life. Succeeding despite challenges is pretty good evidence of likely ability to cope with the stresses of work. Working at schools may enable you to talent spot early.
6 GRADUATE RECRUITER
If you are not recruiting straight from school the pipeline will take a little longer but the flow of talent is likely to be loyal and committed. And there are some instant business benefits. Having a reputation for meritocracy on campus spread by students will drive talent your way. Within your organisation staff will warm to a message that success is about intrinsic ability, not background or contacts. Working alongside students to help them achieve their goals is inspiring for staff. And not only staff enjoy the interaction – we regularly involve clients in our workshops. And you can make a difference. One of our key
broadening access programmes, the Smart Start Experience, aimed at 16-17 year olds from some of the most difficult backgrounds, reaches over 100 a year – over 400 since we started in 2009. After a week-long work experience programme and a year’s mentoring the vast majority feel more confident about what opportunities are out there and their ability to achieve their goals. Most go on to university; many aspire to be lawyers. Achieving scale within a single organisation will inevitably have limits – of numbers or geography. Helping develop an industry-wide response through PRIME means law firms can reach a large number of school age students with challenging backgrounds. The legal profession has led the way but many other industries are following. We run a number of programmes that are designed to raise aspirations among school age students. Our hope is that we can in some way support the increasing diversity of those attending university, and
ultimately, joining our profession.
www.allenovery.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36