St. Columb’s College hold Round Table Careers Day - ‘See, Believe, Achieve!’

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Lilian Sennoi-Barr pictured at Friday's St. Columb's College Round Table Careers event at Ulster University Magee. Included from left are Mr. Brian Keys, Vice Princpal, Aaron O'Doherty, Head Boy, Mr. Caroline McLaughlin, Principal, Mrs. Michaela Doherty, Senior Teacher, Mr. Brian Keys, Vice Principal, Mrs. Laura Prior, Ulster University and Mrs. Ursula Grimley, Vice Principal. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

St. Columb’s College Year 13 students were treated to a Round Table Careers Day at the illustrious venue of Magee College on Friday morning where they were given talks by professionals of various backgrounds careerwise with a plethora of knowledge and experience in their chosen industries.

IN PICTURES: St. Columb’s College Round Table Careers Day held at Ulster University

Over 160 students took part in the event with the theme ‘See, Believe, Achieve!’ and former St. Columb’s College student Professor David Hassan, keynote speaker, addressed the boys on his achievements to date. Professionally, Professor Hassan is distinguished in the field of Sport Policy and Management as well as representing his home county of Derry at all levels as a successful goalkeeper.

The ‘Round Table Event’ event saw students move around at 15-minute intervals where they were able to converse with various facilitators on their professions and career development to date.

Other speakers included Professor Philip McDermott and Mrs. Caroline McLaughlin, Principal, who praised the students for their attentiveness and willingness to ask questions pertinent to the various professions in attendance.

Mrs McLaughlin speaking to the Year 13 pupils said ‘For the pupils in Year 13, the next months are when many important decisions about the next stage of your educational and career journey will be made. We hope that today helped you to begin that thought process. Today was about researching and learning about various career pathways out there and considering what might suit you.’

Another very welcome visitor, was the city and district’s Mayor, Lilian Seenoi-Barr, who took to the podium to wish all the students’ great success in their future career endeavours and hoped that many would attend the Ulster University at Magee where she herself gained her degree.

Speaking after Friday’s event, Mrs. McLaughlin said she was pleased that all went well and the boys gained a lot from it.

She hoped that the event would consolidate the pupils in ‘Seeing their Path, Believing in their Strengths, and Achieving their own Professional Growth.’

"I have a belief that our students are just beginning their lives over the next 18 months or so and as such, need to reach out and take every opportunity that comes their way.

"Today’s event is a start on that journey. I would add that our students should see their path; believe in their strengths enough to pursue that route; and importantly, achieve your professional growth."

Mrs McLaughlin added that the event was a wonderful gathering of St Columb’s College’s past and present pupils. Mrs McLaughlin thanked the speakers, who were predominantly past pupils for attending and sharing their own academic and employment pathways with our current pupils and for giving back to the College in this way. 

Event organiser, Mrs. Michaela Doherty also believed Friday’s Round Table Careers Day was a success and something the Year 13 students could use going forward to achieve their goals in their careers.

"I’m delighted things went well today and the positive feedback from our students backs that up. Many of our participants here today stated they had gained so much from listening to the various speakers and believed that the knowledge they had gained today would assist them with the decisions they will be making in the coming months.

"Our boys have exams in the next few months and hopefully, today’s event, will focus them on what they need to achieve in order to take their next steps in their educational journey."