A recent careers symposium held for all international students living in the Algarve proved successful at inspiring and informing the region’s young people. This year’s event took place at the International School of the Algarve, in Porches, and was very well attended by students from São Lourenço International School, Vilamoura International College and Vale Verde School. Speakers were invited to talk about their own careers and experiences.
The students were entertained by a spectrum of speakers, each offering their own personal perspective on a career area. The speakers themselves made a tremendous effort to encourage students to enter their chosen profession and to make their area sound appealing. Dr Joanne Karamon from Luzdoc showed how medical careers may be gruelling, but can be exceptionally rewarding. Joshue Frade, representing his own company J & C Image Designs, told everyone to go for their dream and to use their own ideas to express themselves and follow a career in graphic design. Charles May has had a wealth of experience in Sales and Marketing and showed the students that PMA – Positive Mental Attitude – means a lot in achieving your goal, while Fiona Dransfield backed him up and showed how marketing is the driving force in the Travel Business. She has brought PDM Travel to the front of the public eye after a wealth of time spent in the hospitality business.
Of course, Victor Picardo’s enthusiasm for hairdressing was tangible. He told the students about his life and showed how he has used this practical career to succeed. One of the most popular further education courses is psychology and Nanda Bakker covered the many different and fascinating aspects of this subject, emphasising that the work is scientific and opens up many career doors where knowledge of the human mind is invaluable.
The event was organised by careers advisor, Gwenda Daud, who told us: “International schools in the Algarve now offer a good choice of AS and A levels to provide entry to universities, if that is the right direction for the student. However, the importance of choosing a career that is suitable and satisfying cannot be stressed enough!”
If you care about a career and feel you could pass on information to young people, please volunteer to help with the next careers symposium and contact Gwenda on 918 376 657.
