At SBP, we pride ourselves on being active participants in our community. Recently, our Senior Accountant, Alana Buchan, recently volunteered at Peterhead Academy to conduct mock interviews with S4 students.
This initiative, designed to prepare young people for the professional world, provided Alana with a unique opportunity to share her career insights while gaining fresh perspectives from the students.
Below, Alana reflects on her experience and the mutual benefits of participating in such initiatives.
How did you find the overall experience of conducting mock interviews with the S4 students?
I found it really rewarding conducting these interviews, and also a great learning experience for me. It was good getting to know the students and interesting learning about their experiences. It was also nice to share a bit about me and the different routes there are to certain jobs/industries. It was good going back to the academy and seeing how things have improved since leaving, and I definitely think it would have been beneficial to have something like this when I attended.
What was the most rewarding part of working with the students during these mock interviews?
The students were all really appreciative and thankful once the interview had ended, and it is rewarding knowing that hopefully taking part in this experience will have helped them in some way prepare for their future goals.
How do you think the students handled the interviews and what impressed you most about their responses?
The students handled the interviews extremely well, with this being the first interview for most students. There were a lot of students who were nervous, as expected, but it became clear that the nerves calmed as the interview progressed. Most students gave detailed answers and were willing to share their experiences, where I did not have to try pry information from them.
Providing feedback was a big part of this process, was there a common feed in the feedback?
The most common feedback I gave was to include more real-life examples in answers. I feel that this is something that employers look for in answers as they want to know the how and the why. Although this can be difficult with most students not having any or little work experience, this can also relate back to any schoolwork or activities outside of school.
Reflecting on your own time at Peterhead Academy, how do you think it could have helped you personally back then?
It would have been beneficial to have this experience when I was at academy – especially since there was no interview for the part-time job I got at 14, and then not having one until I left school at the end of 6th year to find another part-time job while at university. I definitely think it would have boosted my confidence and gave me an insight of what an interview involves.
Did participating in this initiative give you any new insights into how young people view career paths or the job market today?
From the interviews I conducted, it was clear that most students would like to go to either college or university and then find a full-time role from there. From what I gathered from the students, I feel that college or university is still really pushed as a career path. Depending on which career a student wants to pursue, I would now disagree with this, knowing that there are other career routes such as apprenticeships, which was not discussed much when I was a student.
Was there a particular moment or interaction that stood out to you during the two days of interviews?
There were a few students who talked about their own struggles and how they have dealt with and overcame these. As someone who is a complete stranger, I was really appreciative of them feeling comfortable enough to open up and tell me about these struggles.
Do you think experiences like this are beneficial for professionals as well as students? If so, how do you feel you've benefited from volunteering in this capacity?
Yes, I would agree that this experience also benefits professionals. This was my first time doing something like this, so it has been a great opportunity. The experience definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone but also enabled me to develop my interpersonal skills and confidence.
Lastly, what would you say to other professionals who might be considering volunteering for similar initiatives?
I would definitely encourage other professionals to get involved as I feel it is a win-win situation, with both parties gaining experience from this. It is rewarding knowing that we are hopefully playing an important role in the shaping the future of these students.
Alana's experience conducting mock interviews at Peterhead Academy highlights the importance of bridging the gap between education and the workplace. By sharing her knowledge and offering constructive feedback, she not only empowered students to navigate their career paths but also grew as a professional herself. Initiatives like these are a testament to the positive impact that businesses and professionals can have on their communities, and we at SBP are proud to support such initiatives.