On Monday evening I attended a networking evening to help support local students. Organised mainly by the FSB and Bath Spa uni, it had 40 or 50 local business people spending 3 and a half minutes speed networking with a student, repeating the exercise 12 times each with a different student.
I thought it was great both for students and business people. The students probably got something out of it such as a useful business contact or introduction, or some advice based on valuable experience ((those learnings (read:'failings') that all business people have are not wasted if you treat them as feedback and information, problems to be avoided in the future)).
For the business people attending it was an opportunity to gather ideas and inspiration from a creative, energetic and unjaded bunch of people (as one software engineer told me about why he enjoyed meeting the students), or to source part-time or future employees, or simply to give something back. What a great forum for selecting someone to come into your business. I'd recommend that more local business people get involved. To do so contact Adam Powell of Bath Spa university (see more info below).
Ahh, It feels like only yesterday that I was a student (I'm 37)!
FOR MORE INFO:
3 1/2 minutes: A 3-minute film of the event (using what limited footage I was able to take!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kerSx00VIwc
3 1/2 minutes: in 11 images
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=powellpictures&target=ALBUM&id=5412622629009984001&authkey=Gv1sRgCJi2_vvI4te_kwE&feat=email
Adam Powell
Head of Employability
Bath Spa University
Newton Park, Newton St Loe, Bath BA2 9BN
Tel 01225 876310 | Fax 01225 876340 | Mob 07814 521804 A.Powell@bathspa.ac.uk
Visit http://www.bathspa.ac.uk/careers for Bath Spa Careers and the latest jobs,
placement opportunities, events and careers advice for students and graduates.
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And development opportunities for students and to secure your place online.
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Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in the creative industries.
