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Life Beyond Wellington Week is an integral part of Wellington College’s commitment to preparing students for the complexities of life after school. The programme is designed to bridge the gap between academic life and the ‘real’ world, offering students essential skills and insights that will help them navigate their future with confidence. Through a mix of practical life skills sessions and career-focused workshops, Life Beyond Wellington Week ensures students can make informed decisions about their futures, both during their time at Wellington and beyond.
The week’s programme included a dynamic series of evening guest speakers from a range of industries and backgrounds, including OWs and parents who have forged fascinating careers. These sessions were more than just lectures—they were opportunities for students to hear authentic experiences, ask insightful questions, and explore career paths they might not have previously considered. By engaging with these professionals, students gained a clearer understanding of the skills required for various roles and insight into where industries are heading.
Students were inspired by the work of Dr Bali Lee and her work in developing business strategy with carbon reduction. A younger OW, her talk resonated with students, as they related to her recent experience at Wellington, and appreciated her candid discussion of the challenges and setbacks she endured in her first business. They took note of her advice of being adaptable and calculated risk-taking.
The second night welcomed Andrea M Webb, Managing Director Strategy consultant, whose enthusiasm and energy didn’t allow for any student to lose attention for a second. Her talk gave an overview of the consultancy industry and its varied forms, she emphasised how soft skill development was absolutely vital in this this industry, with the right mindset, communication skills and the ability to convey an argument was imperative. The third night welcomed Engineering, with the fiercely intelligent Andreas Biesinger offering another perspective to the week. He gave an overview of his career in civil engineering and engineering management, his work spanning several countries. His talk was particularly impactful to some more introverted students, with his openness about the challenges he overcame as he adapted from his more technical inclination to developing leadership to manage teams. Andreas then was patient and thoughtful with the many questions he was asked after the talk during dinner by some keen lower sixth students. Friday night was the creative industries, with the powerhouse Mel Exon exhibiting some of her brilliance by showing some of her previous big ad campaigns, inspiring the students to challenge the norm whilst accounting for the culture and audience. She too discussed the importance of developing soft skills through co-curricular activities, and encouraged students to foster their creativity by experimenting creating videos with generative AI. An absolutely inspirational week, with talks well attended.
Josh Webber, Head of Careers at Wellington College, reflected on the significance of the event: “Life Beyond Wellington Week provides our students with invaluable exposure to real-world careers and insights. The aim is to empower them with the knowledge and confidence to take control of their future choices so they can move forward with clarity and ambition.”
The week culminated with the ever popular Careers Speed Networking on Saturday morning. Generous parent and OW volunteers provided valuable advice about their fields, offering words of wisdom about different paths into those fields and where to develop. Most industries were represented, STEM, Marketing, Entertainment, Consultancy, Medicine, Finance, Entrepreneurship and more. There was a vibrant atmosphere, with students often beaming on their way out to sports. Parents commented on how sharp and plugged into trends students were.
The importance of careers learning cannot be overstated; it equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate their futures confidently. With a variety of opportunities available throughout the year, including workshops, guest speakers, and networking events, students are encouraged to explore their interests and aspirations further. To learn more about Life Beyond Wellington click HERE.
