Championing our Sustainability goal to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) amongst young people, Infineum’s Business Transformation Director, Nicki Pickup recently took part in two engagement activities with students.

The first was an event run by the Education Business Partnership (EBP), a not-for-profit organisation that brings together education and business in the Thames Valley, offers mock interviews to young people in Years 10-13. Through practicing for job interviews with Nicki, students had the chance to learn the skills and knowledge they need for entry into further education, or a job interview in STEM.

Nicki said: “I was very impressed by the enthusiasm of the students. Many had very clear ambitions for their future and were keen to pursue a career in STEM where they could make a positive impact in their community. I was very glad to be involved in the exercise and help boost students’ confidence.”

A couple of days later Nicki, together with a team of Infineum placement students – Alfie Peacock, Rosie Horwood and Azal Shahbaz (pictured) – went to a Careers fair organised by Queen Anne’s School in Reading. They offered advice and information to students about STEM careers. In particular, they helped pupils explore entry options into careers, how to choose a STEM degree and University, daily life in each role, and professional development opportunities with a particular focus on Infineum’s work environment.

Nicki said: “We had great engagement from the students. They were very interested in learning about what Infineum does, how to choose what to study, and which universities might support their choices. It was a very rewarding day and hopefully, through our involvement we might have inspired some of those brilliant and young minds into pursuing a career in STEM.”

The Infineum team, including Nicki, used their “volunteering day” to participate in the STEM activities. The volunteering day is a benefit that Infineum offers to every employee globally that consists of an extra day of annual leave that can be used to support their community. It is part of our Sustainability approach and helps us deliver on the UN sustainability goal 3 in supporting people and communities.