Business students at North Kent College were given a valuable insight into the world of work recently during a day of guest speaker sessions.
Held at the College’s Dartford campus, the event brought together professionals from a range of industries who delivered engaging talks packed with real-world knowledge and personal career experiences. The aim was to give students a greater understanding of how the skills they are learning at College can be applied in today’s business environment.
Speakers included Seyjal Ferro, owner of Domu Catering, who shared her personal journey from being a soul-searching teenager to becoming a business owner.
She encouraged students to embrace the uncertain moments in their careers and focus on personal growth, hard work, and resilience, stressing that success is built from the lessons learned through both the easy and challenging times.
Jake Miles, founder of Uniek Media, shared his expertise in digital media, SEO, and website design.
He spoke about his evolution from working with various agencies to launching his own successful business, providing valuable insights on the planning, skills, and mindset needed for a career in digital marketing. Jake also emphasized the significance of workplace punctuality and professionalism in building a reputable career.
Jenny Lowe, Contracts Manager at Oak Traffic Management, spoke to the students about the essential qualities that employers value, such as personal presentation, a positive attitude, and reliability.
Drawing from her experience in a growing company that provides temporary traffic systems, Jenny highlighted the importance of professionalism and consistency, especially within a small, quality-driven team. She urged students to take responsibility for their personal development as they prepare to enter the workforce.
Jenny said: “It was both an honour and a privilege to participate in such a fantastic opportunity. You could feel the positivity from the students!”
Amanda Ball, Head of Curriculum at North Kent College for Business, Computing and Finance, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to all our guest speakers for taking the time to share their experiences and knowledge with our students. The students found the sessions both inspiring and thought-provoking, and we have received highly positive feedback from those who attended.
Their input not only complements what we do in the classroom but also helps students to visualise the wide range of opportunities that exist after College.”
North Kent College offers a number of Business courses that aim to prepare students for success in the industry. Learners explore key areas such as marketing, project management, budgeting and teamwork, all while developing essential employability skills like critical thinking, communication, negotiation and leadership.
To find out more, visit the Business and Finance page on the North Kent College website.