Designs on future careers at the Engineering and Architecture Conference

The GDST Engineering and Architecture Conference, in partnership with the University of Bath and hosted by the Royal High School, was a chance for Sixth Formers to find out more and be inspired about careers in those areas.

The three day residential event was designed for Year 12 pupils, who are at the point of considering university courses and their future career possibilities, to give them an insight into what it would be like to study Engineering or Architecture at University, and hear from employers in both fields.

Delegates were joined at the conference by academics and professionals across the engineering and architecture sectors and leading practices and companies. Speakers included Professor Sarah Hainsworth from the University of Leicester, Dr Jess Wade from Imperial College (and South Hampstead High School alumna), and teams from BAE Systems, The Royal Navy and EllisWilliams Architects, who also sponsored the event.

On Friday, students learned more about engineering and architecture from an academic perspective, with a visit to the University of Bath, where they were hosted by the School of Engineering & Design, who ran interactive discipline-specific workshops. There was also a campus tour and talks from Tim Ibell, Professor and Associate Dean for Research, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering, and a discussion on ‘why study Engineering or Architecture’ with Jemma Rowlandson, visiting researcher, Department of Chemical Engineering.

The evening session included a panel of admissions tutors from Bath, Imperial College and Leicester Universities.

Saturday’s sessions explored engineering and architecture from a workplace perspective, allowing delegates to discover more about the various career opportunities available after study. Students heard from industry experts with experience of working in specific fields at a variety of major national and international companies and practices. They also heard from a panel discussing the future of the sector, and the importance of continued innovation and creativity. There were keynote speeches from Dawn Bonfield MBE, former President of the Women’s Engineering Society, and Maria Lisogorskaya, Wimbledon High alumna and member of the Turner Prize-winning ASSEMBLE.

Interactive workshops and career discussion sessions were led by industry leaders, such as Rolls-Royce, Lendlease, BAE Systems, Cundall and Rotork.

We are very grateful to all the individuals, companies and organisations who supported this event, and in particular to EllisWilliams.