On Thursday, I visited the LSE for their open day. The site was very modern and easy to navigate, with all the buildings I visited being within walking distance. The first place I visited was the library, and I was impressed by the large spiral staircase in there. I then walked around the site, visiting various study spaces, all of which were very modern. At this point, I stopped at an ice cream van and picked up an ice cream which they were providing for free! I attended a talk on studying abroad and heard about the different options available, then spoke to a few different people on the stalls in the Marshall Building about accommodation and language learning. I also popped into the Student Union, which had a gym and cafe. After this, I headed to the subject specific talk, where they covered the layout of the course and also held a mini taster lecture. Throughout this, I got to speak to current students to ask them questions about their experiences and what life’s like at the LSE. Overall, I had a great time, and would recommend visiting if you get the chance
Becky D – Year 12 Student
Have you ever stood in a crowd of thousands, each person buzzing with the same hunger to shape their future? On the 15th of July 2025, I had the privilege of attending the Young Professionals Summer Conference at the Indigo at The O2. As I stepped off the train from Luton Airport Parkway to London Bridge and hopped on the tube to North Greenwich, I could
feel the anticipation building within me. Arriving outside The O2 at 1pm, I joined a crowd of nearly three thousand young people eager to learn, network and discover the career paths that could shape their futures. It was more than just a queue; it was a line of hope and ambition, each person ready to invest in themselves and take a step toward the future they have imagined.
The doors opened, and we were welcomed into an early networking session filled with some of the biggest names in the world of work. Amazon, BDO, the Royal Air Force, Goldman Sachs, Lloyds Banking Group, UBS, Rothschild & Co and many more were present, each offering a glimpse into the opportunities that could one day be ours. It felt empowering to be in a space where young people were seen and valued, where we could ask questions, share aspirations and learn from professionals who had once stood where we are now, uncertain but ready to take a leap into the world beyond school.
We were welcomed by Dan Miller, the CEO of Young Professionals, a company supporting young people aged 16 to 25 as they build their careers. His energy set the tone for the day, reminding us that ambition paired with action can open doors we once thought were closed. We then listened to two panels, the first on senior leadership with speakers from Grant Thornton, the NHS and the Royal Air Force. Each speaker shared lessons about resilience and vision, but it was Akin from Grant Thornton who left me thinking deeply when he said, “Think about what your personal vision is and understand that now.” The second panel focused on apprenticeships and graduate routes, with representatives from UBS, Grant Thornton, Freshfields and S&W, who shared insights about the competitive but rewarding journey of securing degree apprenticeships, a path many of us in Year 12 are now considering.
The highlight for me was hearing Dan Miller’s personal journey of building Young Professionals. As someone who has attended virtual YP events in the past, it felt like a full-circle moment to hear the story live. Dan founded the company at 17 while in Year 12, travelling across the country to pitch his idea and secure partnerships. Nine years later, Young Professionals now partners with the Big Four firms, top finance and law firms, and thousands of schools across the UK and Northern Ireland. I even had the chance to ask Dan what he believes makes a great leader. As a senior house captain, I am always eager to learn from leaders who have turned their visions into reality, and it was inspiring to see that the drive and consistency he spoke about are qualities that we can all begin to develop right now.
Before the day ended, we had more opportunities to network, and I spoke to representatives from Lloyds Banking Group, Goldman Sachs, UBS and Amazon, sharing with them a Python
project I had built, a music recommender that suggests songs based on users’ favourite genres and artists. If you are taking GCSE or A-level Computer Science or even learning programming in your free time like I am, you will know the excitement of sharing your work with people who appreciate its potential. Overall, attending the Young Professionals Summer Conference was a thrilling experience, and to all my fellow Year 12s, Year 10s and incoming Year 12s reading this, I encourage you to get on LinkedIn and attend Young Professionals’ virtual and in-person events. They will give you insights, confidence and a clear vision to step into your future, ready to turn your dreams into your reality.
– Jerel U – Year 12 Student
