It’s not just Colleges Week this week, it’s also National Careers Week! Today, HSDC is shining a light on how the College has worked tirelessly to provide exceptional careers guidance and has spoken to many alumni about their post-College lives.
It was recently announced that HSDC is attaining all 8 Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance, meaning that the College is certified as a world-class institution in this regard! This is an exceptional achievement and a testament to the work of the Careers Team, who are constantly ensuring that students are prepared for the world of work through CV reviews, cover letter help, 1:1 advice, and so much more.
HSDC’s Careers Manager Kate Creswick said:
“We are extremely proud to have achieved 100% in all our Gatsby Benchmarks across the College. This is down to our qualified team of in-house Careers and UCAS Advisers and Progression Mentors. It also wouldn’t have been possible without the fantastic support from our partner universities, employers, alumni and links with external careers agencies.”
HSDC is committed to ensuring that its learners have the opportunities to excel and pursue higher education at top universities. This academic year, two students from Alton College and four from HSDC Havant have received offers to study at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, a truly fantastic achievement that highlights the College’s commitment to academic excellence.
Beyond this, HSDC is also incredibly proud of its thousands of alumni from over the years who have built successful careers using the skills they acquired whilst at College.
Matthew Bonnett
Matthew Bonnett left HSDC Havant in 2023 and is currently undertaking a Project Management Degree Apprenticeship at an aerospace engineering company. He praised his apprenticeship for accepting him despite not specialising in project management at A Level:
“My apprenticeship is proof that you don’t have to be an engineer to work for a space company. It’s based in Portsmouth, only four miles away from Havant Campus, and it’s an incredible feeling to know that I’m contributing to the local and national economy!”
Ellie Cristofoli
Ellie Cristofoli studied the Extended Diploma in Dance at HSDC South Downs and has since become a professional dancer. Speaking to HSDC about how her time at the College helped her achieve this, Ellie said:
“The dance course really helped me, as it provided me with skills for a whole range of different dances that I still use today. Since leaving college I have been able to become a professional dancer, with my first contract being booked with Aida Cruises! I’ve also been able to work with West End choreographers at the Mayflower Theatre too, it’s incredibly rewarding.”
Zak Beardsley
Zak Beardsley studied at Alton College from 2019 to 2021, taking A Levels in History, Economics and English Language & Literature. Zak recently spoke to HSDC about his current role as an Audit Assistant Apprentice at an accounting firm:
“Studying at Alton laid the foundations for my future career. After taking a gap year I began an apprenticeship as an Audit Assistant at an accountancy firm. It’s been a great experience so far, and I hope to be able to use the skills I gained at Alton to study for my ACA exams, which will then help me to become a chartered accountant!”
Whether you want to become an accountant, a dancer, or project manager, the career options from studying at HSDC are endless!
To find out more about HSDC’s progression support, please visit: https://www.hsdc.ac.uk/life-at-hsdc/careers/.