Post on 04-Oct-2021
transcript
Oxford High School Careers Event 2021:
Set Sail for your Future –
opportunities & taking the lead
Thursday, 21st January, 6-8 p.m. Links for this virtual event will be shared via Careers Google Classroom,
for Years 9 to 13
1
Welcome
Whilst our Careers Fair in 2019 aimed to help students make informed
decisions about their future by encouraging them to seek out information
regarding courses and career paths, which interest them, our event in
2020 was of a rather different nature. Over 40 alumnae were hoping to
open your minds to what lies beyond your chosen university degrees and
to open your minds to career paths which you had not yet considered. This
year, we are grateful to over 35 parents and alumnae - with the support of
some external speakers - who would like to share their experiences and
stories about their professional journeys with you. There is an array of
linear and non-linear career paths on offer and now more than ever, it is
important to be open-minded, ready for challenges, and fearless in taking
leadership opportunities. Never expect to know what lies ahead, but
always be prepared to make well informed decisions.
Thank you
We would like to thank all panellists for joining us virtually this evening.
Your valuable insight and advice to our students is very much appreciated,
and we hope to welcome you back to Oxford High School soon. We would
also like to thank our current students and parents for joining us for the
event tonight!
2
Internet safety and technical information
It is always easier to speak to people face to face and our panellists would
appreciate seeing some face on the screen. However, please do ensure
an appropriate background and attire. If your connection fails, try to log out
and in again. Should we encounter technical difficulties at our end, we will
update the google links via the Google Careers Classrooms and will email
out the backup google meet links in advance to our panellists as a
precaution. We will endeavor to record most sessions and will share
recordings via the Google Careers Classrooms in the week after the event.
Do however try and tune in to the panels that appeal most to you. In
advance, thank you for your patience and understanding!
Welcome Talks: 6:00-6:30 p.m.
After a short welcome from our Headmistress, Marina Gardiner Legge,
we welcome Floyd Woodrow MBE CDM
Floyd Woodrow is a former Special Forces Soldier who had a full career with 22
Special Air Service Regiment (SAS). In regimental surveys he ranked in the top 1% of
SAS officers. He received a DCM, the second highest gallantry award for work in Iraq,
and an MBE for his work in Afghanistan. He has an international reputation for running
leadership and elite performance training programmes. Sectors include sports,
business, government, police, not-for-profit and education. https://floydwoodrow.com/
Closing Talk: 8 p.m.
At the end of the evening, please take the time to listen to Aduke
Onafowokan talk about opportunities and where from here:
Following careers in law and project management, Aduke Onafowokan launched
Inclusivitii to plug the gap between DEI aspirations and tangible DEI change in
organisations. As a public speaker, Aduke has delivered two TEDx Talks on Diversity
and Inclusion, spoken at global events including BRANDMINDS and Sustainable
Brands as well as at organisations including British American Tobacco, Amazon, Shell,
Royal Mencap Society and many more. Aduke is also an award-winning social-
entrepreneur through her work as the founder of The Sister Sister Global Network, a
registered social-enterprise contributing to women's empowerment through the
provision of accessible and empowering leadership and personal development
capacity-building programmes curated for women at different stages of their leadership
journeys. In 2020, Aduke was appointed Head of Women’s Empowerment at The
International Youth Federation to oversee global gender programmes. Aduke is
currently writing her first book, The Act of Inclusion, and writes regular columns for
Business Insider on Inclusion and Leadership.
3
Panel Session: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Timings/access Google Meet
Link A
Google Meet
Link B
Google Meet
Link C
Google Meet
Link D
Admission 6.30pm
Start 6.40pm
Finish 7.10pm
Panel A.1
Jenner Institute
(vaccine
research)
Panel B.1
Business/Entrep
reneurship
Panel C.1
Law/Psychology
/Psychiatry
Panel D.1
Cyber Security
Admission 7.15pm
Start 7.25pm
Finish 7.55pm
Last person to leave
the google meet at
8pm
Panel A.2
Physics/Engine
ering/Material
Science
Panel B.2
Consulting
Panel C.2
Humanities/Lan
guages
Panel D.2
Opportunities
Links for all talks/panel sessions will be on your Careers Google
Classroom. Should we encounter any technical difficulties, we will
announce alternative arrangements via your Careers Google
Classrooms. You might need to refresh your classroom to see
updates.
● Panellists will each introduce themselves for ca 3 minutes before
offering the audience to ask questions for ca 15 minutes.
● Please keep your questions brief and ask them via the chat function
in the meet.
● Start your question by giving the name of the panellist to whom you
would like to address your question.
Should you have a question which does not get answered, please post this
on the google classroom or email it to c.strobel@oxf.gdst.net. Your
questions will be collated and forwarded to the panellists after the event.
4
Panellists
A1 Jenner Institute (vaccine research)
Dr Alex Spencer, Jenner Institute, University of Oxford
Dr Alex Spencer is an Australian born immunologist working on vaccine development at
the University of Oxford. Having always been interested in science with a human focus,
she undertook a Bachelor of Medical Science with an additional 1 year honours
research project, at the University of Sydney. This was followed directly by a PhD in
experimental medicine (Immunology) at the Centenary Institute, in the same laboratory
as her honours research project. Dr Spencer moved to Oxford in 2006 taking a position
as a junior post-doctoral researcher, which over the many years has progressed into a
senior scientist position as she took on more supervision, teaching and management
roles within the Jenner Institute and wider University environment.
Dr Amy Flaxman, Jenner Institute, University of Oxford
Dr Amy Flaxman’s research involves assessing immune responses to the Oxford
ChAdOx1-nCoV vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 currently in Phase III clinical trials. She leads
the lab team carrying out antibody testing post-vaccination. Here, Dr Amy Flaxman is
interested in the differences in antibody responses induced over time with different
doses of vaccine, in different age groups and how this changes with administration of a
booster vaccine.
Hannah Sharpe, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford
Hannah Sharpe is a final-year PhD student at the Jenner Institute, University of Oxford.
She works in the Emerging Pathogens vaccine development lab and has been involved
with the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine trial.
Hannah’s undergraduate degree was in Biological Sciences at Oxford University. She
then did a Masters in Immunology before starting her PhD.
Helen Sanders, Jenner Institute, University of Oxford
Helen Sanders is a Research Assistant in outbreak pathogen vaccine trials at the
Jenner Institute. Helen graduated with a BSc in Biology and has worked on clinical
trials for vaccines against Malaria, Ebola, Rabies and MERS coronavirus. Now Helen
Sanders primarily works on the COVID-19 vaccine trial looking at T-cell immunology.
5
A2 Physics/Engineering Material
Prof. David Lucas, Dept. of Physics, University of Oxford
Prof. David Lucas studied Physics at Oxford University, and stayed to do research in
experimental atomic and laser physics. After his D.Phil., he did post-doctoral research
in ultracold atoms at the University of Paris, before returning to Oxford to work on
quantum computing experiments. (This basically involves doing experiments with single
atoms, and single photons of light, which he finds fascinating!) His research group
recently built the UK’s first “quantum network” experiment. He is a tutor at Balliol
College, where he teaches courses in electromagnetism, special relativity, and
quantum & atomic physics. He is joined by one of his DPhil students, Ms Beth Nichol.
Prof. James Marrow, Department of Materials, Oxford University
Professor James Marrow studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge, thinking he would be
a theoretical physicist. He found Materials Science much more interesting and
continued to PhD. Professor James Marrow completed his Postdoctoral research (at
Oxford and Birmingham) then became a lecturer at Manchester. He has been 'James
Martin' Professor of Energy Materials at Oxford since 2010 (Mansfield College). Prof
James Marrow has mostly worked on experimental research into how things break,
from aerospace to nuclear reactors, including bone and the next generation of Lithium
batteries. He particularly likes working with large scientific facilities such as the
Diamond Light Source synchrotron at Harwell. Why Materials Science? - it is at the
intersection between physics, chemistry, biology and engineering and it is about
making and understanding the materials that society needs to function. Prof James
Marrow is happy to talk about university courses in Materials Science, careers in
research and also 'James Martin'.
Jill Faure, Ofcom
Jill Faure was a student at OHS between 1992 and 2001, after which she went to
Oxford University to study Engineering and Materials Science. After her degree, Jill
Faure joined Ofcom on its graduate scheme, as a technical specialist. She is now a
Principal Technology Advisor, working with colleagues from different specialisms to
develop policies on fixed and mobile broadband technologies.
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Dr. Robin Tuluie, PhysicsX
Dr. Robin Tuluie is the founder of PhysicsX, which is a team of scientists and engineers
borne out of Formula One, who help companies solve their most difficult problems
using simulation, artificial intelligence and 3D printing. Robin is a theoretical physicist,
having had the good fortune to be taught by Nobel prize winners at Berkeley, which
gave him the best possible capabilities to understand how things really work, from
gravitation to racing cars to artificial hearts. Robin has worked as an Engineering
Director for Bentley cars, as Chief Scientist for Mercedes Formula One and as a
postdoctoral Fellow researching, by computer simulation, how the universe evolved
from the Big Bang until now. Robin loves all things Science and many things
Engineering, but most of all mentoring and bringing up bright young minds who will
surpass all of us.
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B1 Business/Entrepreneurship
Jonathan Patrick, Consultant Connect
Jonathan Patrick read Biological Sciences at Oxford, before converting to law and
qualifying as a solicitor with city firm Freshfields. After a stint as a management
consultant, Jonathan started setting up and running companies focused on healthcare.
His first startup, JPen Medical, sent engineers to GP surgeries to test and calibrate all
their medical equipment. He sold that to a big corporation before establishing eSupplies
Medical, an "Amazon of Healthcare", which was sold to a listed company in 2016. He is
currently CEO of Consultant Connect, a communications company that covers over 29
million patients in the NHS.
Charlie Maynard, BDA Partners
Charlie Maynard studied Geography at Oxford University. He founded BDA in 1996 to
focus on Asian M&A, i.e. advising on large companies and investors on buying and
selling businesses. The company has nine offices globally, including seven in Asia.
Floyd Woodrow, Compass For Life
Floyd Woodrow is a former Special Forces Soldier who had a full career with 22
Special Air Service Regiment (SAS). In regimental surveys he ranked in the top 1% of
SAS officers. He received a DCM, the second highest gallantry award for work in Iraq,
and an MBE for his work in Afghanistan. He has an international reputation for running
leadership and elite performance training programmes. Sectors include sports,
business, government, police, not-for-profit and education.
Chris West, Nokia
Chris West is currently the Head of the Next Generation ERP programme for Nokia, but
spent over 20 years as a management consultant, specialising in SAP
implementations. He has worked for a number of organisations including EY, Logica
and HCL as well as smaller consultancies. Chris West was also part of the team that
created a consultancy organisation. His first degree was a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry,
and he has an MBA.
8
B2 Consulting: Management/Strategy
Dr Keith Stewart, Cap Gemini
Keith Stewart is a Vice President in Capgemini Invent where he leads the healthcare
consulting team, supporting clients design and implement their strategies and on their
operational improvements initiatives and digital transformations. A career consultant,
he has worked in several firms (both large and small) in the professional services
industry and with clients in the NHS, higher education and academic research and the
pharmaceutical/life sciences sector.
Keith Stewart studied Biological Sciences at the University of Oxford and moved to
consulting following his DPhil in Molecular Plant Pathology.
June Davis, Allied Health Solutions
June Davis has been a Director of Allied Health Solutions, a company focussed on
working in health and care strategy and workforce developments, for the past 9 years.
June is also Allied Health Professions Advisor (part time) for Macmillan Cancer Support
and a specialist advisor to the Care Quality Commission.
June Davis's first degree was a BSc in Nutrition with dietetics gained in 1992 followed
by a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in 2004. June Davis has 27 years
experience working in and with the NHS as a Dietitian, service and professional lead,
general manager for a number of service areas within the acute setting and senior
project lead for several large scale change projects across London.
Philip Norstrand, Galderma
When Philip Norstrand grew up, he was very interested in technology, so chose to
study electrical engineering. After a year or two, Philip Norstrand realised that he didn't
want to focus his career on R&D, so he also studied economics. When he graduated (in
1999, at the height of the first dotcom boom), all of the consulting firms were hiring
engineers, and he was offered a job at McKinsey. The four years spent in consulting
was a very good way to start his career, a very good learning experience, and it
enabled him to move into the pharma industry. Today he leads a global aesthetic
medicine franchise at Galderma in Switzerland.
9
Rob Kenny, Communications Chambers
Rob Kenny is a consultant advising clients such as Facebook, Netflix, Google, BT and
the BBC on issues of strategy and regulation. He has 20 years of consulting
experience, and has also worked for large telcos, running strategy and corporate
development.
He has lived and worked in the UK, Hong Kong, and the US. He studied Mathematics
and Management at Cambridge.
10
C1 Law & Psychiatry/Psychology
Gilly Bloom, Ofsted
Gilly Bloom is a government lawyer currently working at Ofsted, advising across most
of their remits - schools (both maintained and independent), further education and skills
and social care. She studied law (jurisprudence) at Lincoln College Oxford, trained as a
solicitor at Slaughter and May in the City and then qualified and worked as a corporate
finance lawyer in New York before returning to the UK to work as a government lawyer
(and start a family). Gilly has worked for a number of different government departments
drafting legislation and advising ministers and policy colleagues across a range of
policy areas. While her children were small, she took a sabbatical from government
legal work to set up a film and TV practice with her husband.
Alice Vickers, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Alice Vickers, OHS alumna, has been a senior lawyer and diplomat at the Foreign
Office since 2017, currently posted to the UK Mission to the EU. Prior to that she
worked at BEIS and the Home Office. Alice started her legal career with 8 years as a
legal aid family lawyer, specialising in domestic abuse. Her degree was in American
History, subsequently she did a law conversion and an LLM in Human Rights (part time
while working).
Helen Lamprell, Vodafone
Helen Lamprell read Law at Cambridge and qualified at Linklaters. She moved to
Vodafone after 7 years. At Vodafone Helen worked initially on international deals
including in India, Turkey and the US. She is now a director for Vodafone in the UK
dealing with everything from crisis management to public relations, sustainability and
government affairs, not forgetting legal and regulatory.
Pepita Torbrand, Bounce-Coaching
Pepita Torbrand is a Chartered Psychologist (BSc, MSc, CPsychol), Registered
Coaching Psychologist, Educational Consultant and Performance Coach (MISCP). She
is the Director of Bounce-Coaching, offering 121 online coaching to increase students’
wellbeing, motivation, and academic success by reducing unhelpful thinking habits,
self-sabotaging, procrastination, maladaptive perfectionism, and self-doubt. Her
coaching practice helps students develop resilience and increase confidence;
optimising their academic performance, as evidenced by her academic research. Her
company is an Education Partner with Dulwich College International. https://bounce-
coaching.com/
11
Professor Seena Fazel, University of Oxford
Professor Seena Fazel trained as a medical doctor, and then as a psychiatrist. His
particular area of specialism is in the area of forensic psychiatry, which involves the
assessment and treatment of people with mental health problems who have committed
serious crimes. He has been conducting research in this area for many years and lead
a research team studying the mental health of prisoners and the risk of adverse
outcomes (including violence and suicide) in people with severe mental illness. He has
given evidence in his capacity as a forensic psychiatrist in some high profile cases,
including in the UN-sponsored Khmer Rouge Tribunal.
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C2 Careers with a degree in Humanities/Languages
Jenny Butterworth, Mandarin Chinese and Business, Newcastle University
Since graduating from OHS, Jenny Butterworth has now also graduated from
Newcastle University, where she studied a joint honours degree in Mandarin Chinese &
Business. Jenny spent a year abroad in Haikou, on Hainan Island in China, where she
studied Mandarin at a partner University. Jenny is currently working at HelloFresh, a
company that has grown rapidly throughout 2020, where she is exploring a career in
Human Resource Management, with plans to relocate to Shanghai at some point in the
future.
Lizzie Westley, Geography, University of Exeter
After leaving OHS, Lizzie Westley quickly discovered that her course at UCL was not
the right environment and in her second year changed to the University of Exeter. She
is now in her final year of her BSc in Geography with Spanish and is looking forward to
pursuing a career prospect in sustainable engineering, consulting or finance.
Prof David Rueda, Politics, University of Oxford
Professor David Rueda was born in Sevilla and grew up in San Fernando, Cádiz. At the
age of 17, he left Spain to do the International Baccalaureate at the Armand Hammer
United World College of the American West. He did his BA at Franklin and Marshall
College, an MSc at the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London),
and his PhD at Cornell University.
He is Professor of Comparative Politics at the Department of Politics and IR and
Professorial Fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford University. He is the author of Social
Democracy Inside Out (Oxford University Press, 2007) and, with Daniel Stegmueller, of
Who Wants What? Redistribution Preferences in Comparative Perspective (Cambridge
University Press, 2019). Dr Rueda’s current research focuses on the causes and
consequences of inequality, the determinants of redistribution preferences, the role of
the welfare state in times of crisis, and insider-outsider politics.
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Alice Murray, Christie's
After her time at OHS and following a degree in French and Spanish at Edinburgh
university, Alice Murray joined Christie’s auction house 10 years ago. She is an
Associate Director and Specialist in Modern British Art where she undertakes
valuations and sources business for the five annual auctions in the category. She was
responsible for setting up and launching the inaugural online auctions of 20th century
British Art, making Christie’s the first major auction house to hold e-commerce sales in
this area. She headed the Impressionist and Modern art online sales for the company,
but now focuses her expertise in developing the market for British artists at auction
from 1900 to now.
Nick Thomas, Writer and Journalist
Nick Thomas was at MCS and went on to read English at Pembroke, Oxford, where he
worked for Cherwell, the OU student newspaper. As a freelance journalist Nick Thomas
has worked for a number of national papers, in Arts, Politics, Humour, and Comment.
Along the way he has also been a playwright, theatre director, novelist, and
screenwriter.
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D1 Cyber security and Data Analysis
Dr Arlen Anderson, Ab Initio
Dr Arlen Anderson did a PhD in Theoretical Physics specializing in quantum theory and
general relativity. After many years as a post-doc and research professor at
universities in the US, UK and Canada, he left physics to work for Ab Initio Software.
Ab Initio is a multi-national software vendor who supplies high-performance parallel
computing software to business, with customers in a wide range of industries, including
telecoms, banking, retail, and the internet. Arlen is a "field consultant" who does pre-
and post-sales work with customers around the world on large, bespoke applications,
using algorithms he and his group have developed for "fuzzy matching" and other
analytics. Arlen was recently made co-lead of a group developing Ab Initio capabilities
for data scientists doing AI/machine learning.
Rebekah Davidson, Synopsys
Rebekah Davidson, OHS alumna, completed a BSc Mathematics at Queens University
in Belfast, and then completed a graduate academy in order to upskill in Cyber
Security. She has recently graduated from a Masters in Applied Cyber Security and
now works as a vulnerability analyst at Synopsys in Belfast. Here she helps to explore
any vulnerabilities within Open Source applications and assists clients in identifying
where they are vulnerable to cyber-attack, and how they can mitigate these risks.
Cindy Hau, Ofcom
Cindy Hau is a current cyber security graduate associate at Ofcom. She has previously
studied at Brunel university to gain her undergraduate degree in mathematics and
statistics with management studies. Her interest in information security started after
studying an encryption module at Brunel, which has later led her to studying a master’s
degree at UCL in Information security.
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Emma Smith, Vodafone
Emma joined Vodafone in 2015 and is responsible for Cyber Security globally. She
studied economics, qualified as an internal auditor before finding her passion and
moving to work in Cyber Security. Before Vodafone, Emma spent 13 years at
RBS/NatWest bank and 6 years at Royal Mail. Emma is passionate about security and
protecting customers, employees and citizens from cyber threats. Cyber Security is so
important in the digital and connected world that we live. As a profession, cyber security
is exciting, still quite new and a growing field. Emma loves the blend of technology,
people and behaviours, strategy and operations that her roles give. People with cyber
security experience are in high demand across all sectors and this is likely to continue
to grow. Emma believes that the best teams and companies are formed with a diverse
mix of people. She works hard to create an inclusive culture, working to get more
women into technology and cyber and is an LGBT+ sponsor in Vodafone.
Zulekha Samiullah, Mathematics and Physics, University of York
Since leaving OHS, Zulekha Samiullah has gone to York to undertake a BSc in
Mathematics and Physics and is now in her final year. She is a Laidlaw Research and
Leadership Scholar, Digital Creativity Labs Research Scholar, has experience as
Technology Director at York Community Consulting and is happy to talk about her role
as University Manager with High Fliers Research in association with the Times. She is
launching a set of guides focusing on student communication and professional skills
and has gained experience as Research Intern with York Students in Schools. A
Mathematics Student Ambassador, she still makes time for being the College Squash
19/20 captain and University Womens’ 1st Team player.
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D2 Opportunites/How to Improve your CV
Anoushka Patel, Dyson
Anoushka Patel, OHS alumna, is an Undergraduate Engineer at the Dyson Institute,
currently working in New Product Innovation. At Dyson, she is a member of the Global
Engagement Council, and a sustainability champion for Global functions. Anoushka is
also an Arkwright Undergraduate scholar, and incoming Morgan Stanley Spring intern.
Sesha Nicholson-Lailey, University of York
Sesha Nicholson-Lailey, OHS alumna, is a student of apparently discordant subjects;
her checkered past involves an Art and Design Diploma. She spent two seasons at
London Fashion week, has undertaken work experience across genetic engineering,
archaeological interpretation, the careers service here in Oxford, and even a brief stint
in the public sector as a Civil Service Fast Stream intern. She might still be known to
some of you as Head Girl (2017)!
Currently a second year natural scientist at the University of York (Archaeology,
Biology, Chemistry, and Environment) Sesha is someone with a passion for inclusion
and diversity and making the most of opportunities in the most unlikely of places.
Jahkini Bisselink, Jahkini Consultancy
Jahkini Bisselink is both a Gen Z member (born in 1999) ánd a Gen Z expert. She
founded her own consultancy firm in which she helps companies and organisations
understand the world of Gen Z, aiming to promote an intergenerational dialogue.
Jahkini has worked at the United Nations as a youth representative from the
Netherlands (2017-2019). For this role she has spoken with more than 4000 young
people and has given multiple statements at UN conferences like the General
Assembly. Next to that she is studying religious and political science, finishing her
master’s degree in 2021. https://www.jahkini.com/
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Harry Beard, Prospect 100
Harry Beard is a co-founder of Prospect 100. Prospect 100 is on a mission to create the
home of youth recruitment, aimed at 16-25 year olds via their global competitions and
digital in-bound recruitment platform. Prospect 100 works with brands ranging from
ViacomCBS and GUESS to Depop, Kyra and Humane Society. Previously they have
hosted global competitions in fields ranging from music and fashion design through to
technology and sustainability, ensuring their young winners receive mentorship from
figures like Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Guy Holmes the ex manager for
Michael Jackson. Harry studied 'Real Estate' at The Royal Agricultural University for 1
year before pausing studies to pursue Prospect 100. https://www.prospect100.com/
Amira Harb, University of Oxford
Amira Harb, OHS alumna, is an experienced recruiter and enjoys working with people
to achieve results through effective communication, building diverse relationships and
providing a high level of customer service at all times. Amira has worked across several
industry sectors including education, diplomatic missions, consultancy, due diligence,
journalism and healthcare. Amira graduated from SOAS, University of London with
BA(Hons) in Arabic & Management and is CIPD Level 5 qualified. Amira is currently
working as a Senior Recruitment Consultant for the University of Oxford's Temporary
Staffing Service: https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/temporary-staffing-service
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Advice for Networking in a virtual environment Making a good impression:
• Be well presented, choose an appropriate background
• Keep your language professional – address the speaker by title via the chat function
• Take notes during the talks to allow you ask questions at the end or later on in time.
• Express your appreciation for their time
• Don’t just ask about their current job, but about their whole career – how did they get to where they are now? What do they want to do next? If you had to do it all again…?
Enjoy!