Know yourself, believe in yourself, take your time, be persistent and have fun!
- Kate Stephens, Murray Edwards College alumna
Pathways to Success, a two-day aspiration-raising conference, introduces high-achieving students from schools across the UK to students, graduates and staff at Murray Edwards. The event encourages young women to expand their horizons and feel confident about aiming high.
Students representing 25 schools from Derbyshire, Greater Manchester, Lincoln, Coventry, Sheffield, Bournemouth, London and elsewhere were selected to take part in recognition of their impressive academic achievements.
Now in its fifth year, the event includes seminars on the meaning of success and a practical advice session on applying to the University of Cambridge.
A highlight of the conference was a speech given by alumna Kate Stephens, CEO of Smart Works, a pioneering UK charity which helps women on low incomes to secure jobs and become financially independent by providing interview training and smart clothes. Kate’s down-to-earth advice included: “Know yourself, believe in yourself, take your time, be persistent and have fun!”
Further inspiration came from high-flying educationalist Misbah Arif, a Professional Development Leader at the STEM Education Centre in London and a Professional Tutor on the Teach First programme. Misbah recalled the challenges that she has overcome in her career and "the amazing feeling of discovering what you want to do for the rest of your life."
Misbah advised her audience not to pander to stereotypes and to “make opportunities for yourself.”
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Image: Pathways to Success 2015 at Murray Edwards College
Credit: Murray Edwards College
Reproduced courtesy of the University of Cambridge
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