Three Business students from USP College have won the Aspirations in Business challenge organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD).
The annual Aspirations in Business event for post-16 students in Essex took place on the 13 November at Felsted School.
Working with students from other colleges, the key objectives of the challenge were to develop problem solving, presentation, teamwork and leadership skills. Teams listened to presentations from local business leaders and in-between presentations they were given exercises to complete. The teams then presented their case studies to the judges.
The overall aim of the event is to raise awareness of the skills needed in business and to raise aspirations of students for careers in business and/or higher academic study beyond college. Past events have led to students being offered internships, support with interview techniques, mentoring sessions and even full-time employment.
Student Favour Lawal, 17, from Purfleet, said, “It really helped me to improve my presentation skills and it gave me a chance to put into practice what I have been learning in the classroom.”
Student Silva Katoto, 17, from Rainham, said of the challenge: “It definitely helped with my teamwork skills as I had to work with people I didn’t know and I was a bit nervous to begin with, but meeting and working with new people turned out to be one of the best parts of the challenge for me and it definitely improved my confidence.”
USP students were presented with a prize on the day and invited to join the IoD at their flagship Essex Christmas Breakfast on the 13 December at Braxted Park. This year Eve Pollard OBE will be attending the event to talk about her stellar career in journalism and broadcasting.