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College students kick-start careers with summer internships

Prior Pursglove College’s high performing Careers Academy programme has provided a group of students with invaluable secondment opportunities over the summer break.

Eleven students were given the opportunity to complete summer internships on a paid basis, working in business and finance roles in organisations such as Yorkshire Bank, Santander, Redcar and Cleveland Council, Teesside University, Lloyds TSB and insurance firm AXA.

The group returned to College this week to share their experiences and to start their final year of studies.

The College’s Careers Academy is a two-year programme offering aspiring Business and Finance students an opportunity for a summer internship alongside guru lectures, mentors in business, educational visits and overnight trips.

Three of the students will be continuing their contact with the firms after being offered part-time work as a result of the placements.

Joe Briggs (pictured), student at Prior Pursglove College, said: “My favourite part of the internship was helping staff on a day-to-day basis; gaining knowledge as I was completing activities which often became more challenging as the weeks went on.

“The experience has motivated me to try my best over the next year to ensure I can go to university and achieve my career goals and aspirations.”

Vicky McDermott, head of the Careers Academy at Prior Pursglove College, said: “All of the Careers Academy students have done Prior proud. We have offered them a really unique opportunity to gain paid experience working in the industry they would like to start a career in and they have worked tirelessly to make their time at the firms successful.

“They are all excellent ambassadors for the College.”

Jon Craib, regional manager at Lloyds Banking Group, took on two students from the Career Academy in July. He said: “Both Prior students have been superb.

“As part of their placement, they presented a task to the Lloyds board and I can categorically say I would not have had the skills or courage to put what they did together and present it at their age. They have represented Prior Pursglove College very well indeed and they would be welcome back in my Group anytime.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Samantha Hockney .