Pupils at an East Renfrewshire secondary were given an insight into working in the world of digital last week.
Leading digital transformation consultancy Equator visited Eastwood High School, in Newton Mearns, on Wednesday, November 9.
The visit was part of BIMA Digital Day, which takes place each November and gives 11 to 16-year-olds across the UK the chance to learn about careers in the field by meeting with digital professionals from across the industry.
Equator’s marketing director Fiona Gray, director of innovation Martin Jordan and project manager Stephen Mcbride, ran a session for S3 computing pupils, who are starting to think about their career choices ahead of exam season next year.
Fiona Gray, Marketing Director of Equator said: “Engaging with students who could be the future talent of our industry genuinely excites me.
“Whilst we are talking to students who have an innate understanding of digital and engage with it daily, it doesn’t always mean they’ve actually considered a career in digital.
“It’s our role on Digital Day to equip them with the relevant insight and knowledge to inspire them to make these choices.
“Ultimately, they are talents who could be game changing for our industry.”
Sponsored by digital innovation leaders EPAM Systems, the pupils were given real briefs from Royal Mail and Primark to work on, grounded in real world problems – such as accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability.
The task was designed to help students understand how digital can positively impact day-to-day lives.
Mirroring an agency environment, pupils had to respond to each brief with digital solutions, presenting back to the Equator team for the chance to be chosen to go through to BIMA’s nationwide digital challenge for a chance to win money for their school and prizes for themselves.
Jennifer Dallas, Computing Science & Business Studies Teacher said: “The Equator Team worked excellently with S3 Computing Science pupils at Eastwood School.
“Pupils thoroughly enjoyed working in groups on challenges from Primark and Royal Mail.
“The challenges brought to life the links between classroom learning and the technical and creative skills needed in the world of work.”