To mark International Women’s Day, over 100 Career Ready students in London and Manchester took part in networking masterclasses this week, with global law firm CMS.

“It’s our 15th year organising an International Women’s Day event in London, which is quite a milestone. We’re delighted to have expanded to Manchester, too, for the last two years,” says Louise Starling, Senior Responsible Business and Social Impact Manager at CMS.

“These events are an opportunity for young people to learn about networking, the importance of making connections, and getting ahead. They bring together Career Ready students with inspiring women, from CMS and our clients.”

Inspiring speakers on International Women’s Day

Attendees heard from keynote speaker, Bianca Miller-Cole, an entrepreneur and author – and former finalist on The Apprentice – about her career journey and the importance of professional branding.

They learnt about elevator pitches and had a chance to test out their networking skills, talking to professionals from a wide range of organisations about their career paths.

“I learnt that it’s never too late to change your career path, work experience is important to gain more knowledge about the future you choose for yourself, and choose something you are passionate about”

Angelina, Bishop Justus CoE School

“It’s great to hear the buzz from the different tables,” Louise adds.

“By hearing about different career journeys, young people see that it’s ok not to have everything figured out at 16 or 17. The session also helped show how the people you meet now can help you in the future – and why expanding your network is so important.

“I came away understanding the importance a good first impression. Smile, be polite, and show you are excited to be there and really interested in the job”

Evie-Mae, George Green’s School

“As well as professionals, attendees connected with other young women from different parts of their cities, who they wouldn’t have had the chance to meet otherwise.”

The students also heard from CMS colleagues about early careers opportunities, different routes into the organisation, and why it’s important to network and make connections:

“No ones going to do it for you. You have to do it yourself. But there is so much help there and you don’t have to do it alone”

Diva, London Academy

Students will continue to learn about careers and the workplace on the Career Ready programme until they graduate in December.

Interested in learning more about how we work with employers like CMS to transform young lives? Get involved today.

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FAQs

Our Career Ready programme supports young people aged 16-18 who are in education (15-18 in Scotland)

As a social mobility charity we work with schools, colleges and young people who, research shows, face barriers in education and employment which cause their talents to often go undiscovered and unfulfilled.

We support those who need a platform to reach their potential, working with young people who meet a combination of criteria, including the following:

  • Eligible for Free School Meals in the past six years
  • Eligible for Educational Maintenance Allowance
  • No parental history of higher education
  • Disabled or additional learning needs
  • Experience of Local Authority care and/or estranged from family
  • Caring responsibilities

We work across England and Scotland: 

  • 18 local authorities across England and Scotland, including Edinburgh and Glasgow
  • London
  • Manchester
  • Birmingham 
  • Tees Valley 
  • Leicester 
  • Coventry 
  • Derby

Find out more. 

Nothing has the same potential to transform young lives and boost social mobility as paid internships.

We therefore ask that each of our partner employers works with us to provide these life-changing experiences. We appreciate that this may not be suitable for all business environments, so we welcome the opportunity to discuss how else we can work together to deliver and grow our work.

We ask that every partner employer works with us to provide a mentor and a paid internship within their company.

We’ve worked with micro, small, and medium employers for nearly 20 years to deliver paid internships, mentoring, masterclasses, and workplace visits.

With employers finding that it quickly adds value to their business, team, and culture.

We are proud to offer an Internship Investment Initiative for SMEs, providing funding for them to host a paid intern.

And our facilitated sessions and support mean that it’s an efficient and effective way of transforming young lives and future-proofing your business.

Let's get started

Find out how you can boost social mobility and help young kickstart a rewarding future.

FAQs

Our Career Ready programme supports young people aged 16-18 who are in education (15-18 in Scotland)

As a social mobility charity we work with schools, colleges and young people who, research shows, face barriers in education and employment which cause their talents to often go undiscovered and unfulfilled.

We support those who need a platform to reach their potential, working with young people who meet a combination of criteria, including the following:

  • Eligible for Free School Meals in the past six years
  • Eligible for Educational Maintenance Allowance
  • Parental occupation indicating lack of access to professional networks and/or low household income
  • No parental history of higher education
  • Physical, mental or learning disability
  • Experience of Local Authority care and/or estranged from family
  • Caring responsibilities

We work in 101 Local Authorities across the UK, from Essex to Elgin, prioritising areas which research shows need our support the most.

To ensure that we support the young people, schools & colleges, and areas who need our support the most, we’re guided by Government data on Indices of Multiple Deprivation and the Careers & Enterprise Company’s Cold Spot framework. Meaning that we work in:

Find out more. 

Nothing has the same potential to transform young lives and boost social mobility as paid internships.

We therefore ask that each of our partner employers works with us to provide these life-changing experiences. We appreciate that this may not be suitable for all business environments, so we welcome the opportunity to discuss how else we can work together to deliver and grow our work across the UK.

In Scotland, we ask that every partner employer works with us to provide a mentor and a paid internship within their company.

We’ve worked with micro, small, and medium employers for nearly 20 years to deliver paid internships, mentoring, masterclasses, and workplace visits.

With employers finding that it quickly adds value to their business, team, and culture.

We are proud to offer an Internship Investment Initiative for SMEs, providing funding for them to host a paid intern.

And our facilitated sessions and support mean that it’s an efficient and effective way of transforming young lives and future-proofing your business.