Taster Day Participant Review

I thoroughly enjoyed the insight, and I found it extremely helpful in deciding whether to pursue a career with this company. They conveyed the values and mission of the company extremely well, and they taught me some valuable transferable skills that I was able to utilise in a number of experiences following this taster.

I felt extremely valued during my insight programme, as they frequently reminded me of additional opportunities that I could take advantage of, and made me feel very welcome to the company. I felt as though the experience was tailor made to suit me and the other individuals on the course.

The speakers and ambassadors were positioned around the room and frequently provided advice and support to myself and other individuals. At the end of the course, there was a Q and A section in which I received detailed advice on the next steps to take within the company which I was very grateful for.

There was a focus on self-reflection which I enjoyed as it allowed me to consolidate all of the other practical skills I had been able to build. We were given the opportunity to work in teams, pairs, and as individuals, and were able to experience leadership roles too. There was also the opportunity to teach a lesson, which I found invaluable to my degree in education.

There was just the right number of breaks, and a good balance of both interactive and individual based activities. They also threaded the key values of Teach First throughout the insight programme, and thus I felt like I was truly experiencing every element of the company and potential opportunities they offer. They also provided us with an itinerary at the start of day one, which was upheld, and so we were always aware of the structure.

I met great people, whom I am still in contact with, that shared my vision and interests. They utilised a range of activities and resources that kept all of the sessions fun and exciting. There was a very welcoming atmosphere, and I felt like I was both valued and appreciated.

We were provided with training booklets that were filled with lots of activities that enabled you to reflect and build on your skills. There was a number of ambassadors who had all taken different paths into Teach First, and had different journeys with the company, that were sharing their stories, which I felt was extremely helpful as it enabled everyone to receive advice and guidance regardless of their situation or aspirations.

A range of individuals who all hold different positions and responsibilities within the company were on hand to provide advice, and so I felt well informed of all of the different opportunities they offered. They also provided the opportunity to teach a lesson, which I believe will be invaluable if I can secure a career with them

They invested a significant amount of time in teaching us the vision and mission of Teach First, which is bridging the educational inequality within the UK. This helped me to understand the company much better, and inspired me to share their passion and beliefs. I felt as though this was a key element of the taster.

I found the range of personal stories from current ambassadors extremely helpful, as well as the opportunity to plan and deliver a lesson. Realising the value that Teach First placed on a societal issue that I am so passionate about made me very excited to continue working with this company.

I received full travel reimbursement, which was very helpful for me, as the event was in London and I am based in the North East of England.

The staff involved with insight were a mix of teach first teachers, brand ambassadors, and central team members, all of whom were on hand to provide help whenever it was needed. I was able to ask a number of questions that pertained specifically to my situation, and was given satisfactory answers.

They offered us a fantastic networking opportunity at the end of day two in which we could meet with individuals from all branches of the company and who could offer advice on a wide range of opportunities and upcoming events. I have since been contacted a number of times with regards to upcoming events and I have been thoroughly enjoying my interaction with this company.

I was informed of the internships they offer with various partnerships, and I enjoyed the discussion in which all of the ambassadors confirmed how they had made fantastic friends during the summer programme. They did mention how the work/life balance could be a little demanding, but they assured us that working in schools was very rewarding.

I would definitely recommend this insight to any friends who were interested in a career in teaching, or were passionate about educational inequality. I thoroughly enjoyed both days of my experience, and proceeded to recommend it to a number of people following the experience. It was informative, inspiring and extremely enjoyable!