Earlier in the Autumn Term, former Bolton School pupil Mark Walshaw returned virtually from Dubai to address Year 10 and Year 11 pupils as part of the World of Work series in which they learn about a range of careers. Mark is a Chartered Chemical Engineer and leads the Renewable Energy and Hydrogen practice for the Middle East and Africa region in the risk advisory company Marsh.
Mark began by recounting some of his fond memories of Bolton School, which he attended from 1997 until 2005. He highlighted the range of sports that he had enjoyed and the trips to Patterdale Hall in the Lake District. His favourite subjects, he said, had been Maths, Chemistry and Physics; although he did tell students that, at the time, he had no idea what he wanted to do in the future. Mark said that it wasn’t until he was asked to take a careers survey that he even discovered what a Chemical Engineer was!
Advising students on further education, Mark discussed his time at Nottingham University where he graduated with a Masters in Chemical Engineering. He recommended that boys attend open days in order to “get a good feel for the place” and suggested the most important factors to consider were: whether students could envisage themselves living there for three to four years, the teaching style, industry links and work placement or internship opportunities. He then went on to discuss his placement in Southampton which created an opportunity for him to take a job with ExxonMobil at the Fawley Refinery in Hampshire, where he then worked for almost 10 years.
Mark told how, in 2017, he moved to Dubai to see more of the world and expand his hands-on experience of working in the energy industry. He spoke passionately about combating climate change and talked about his current work with governments and large energy companies and how he assisted them in implementing their plans to reduce their emissions, decarbonise and promote investment in green energy. Mark encouraged students to discover what they enjoy doing, to find their purpose and to pursue it.
Mark left the students with advice about going through distinct steps in their career and the importance of not rushing too quickly to the next step. He urged students to focus on what they’re doing in the moment and giving their all to the moment, reassuring them that finding their passion would lead and guide them.
Finally, Mark welcomed and answered questions from pupils about work placements and apprenticeships and his experiences of living in Dubai.
