On 30 January, we welcomed alumni DCI Manveen Arora to speak to students about her career in the Metropolitan Police and the wide range of roles available from frontline policing to back office support. She shared insights into her professional journey, the challenges she has faced, and the opportunities that exist for those interested in pursuing a career in policing and public service.

It was great to hear about Manveen’s journey, especially as I have been exploring different career paths. Her talk helped me to understand the variety of opportunities within the police and what it takes to succeed in this field.

Khadhar Abdullahi [13F]

Today during form, we listened to an ex-Heston student, Manveen Arora, talk about her experience of becoming a Detective within the City police force, and it really uncovered her progression and the work which goes towards becoming a detective. Then, being able to speak to her within a smaller focus group allowed everyone to ask questions to see what the job was really like, the challenges she's faced, and the positives of her role.

Additionally, Jagdeesh Mali, a Quantity Surveyor, clearly explained his degree apprenticeship role and how he is progressing. By answering my questions, it enabled me to consider all the options available, which was really eye-opening and it genuinely inspired me to think more about my own progression after A-Levels.

Jasmin Bhogal [13B]

As a Year 13 student, with a strong interest in studying real estate and finance, meeting with a quantity surveyor and a detective constable was a valuable and eye-opening opportunity to learn about two differing pathways. Meeting with the detective showed me how important communication and resilience is in the workplace. It was also inspiring to see the critical thinking that goes into being a detective. I also found it comforting that the university degree she obtained didn't necessarily link directly to becoming a detective and the graduate scheme is open to a variety of people, as I was afraid my choice of degree would limit me if I had a change of heart. In contrast, speaking to the quantity surveyor was fascinating, as I had heard of the job title but didn't know the context of the job. However, he illustrated the importance of financial investments, negotiating and persistence. He also stated that if I did decide to receive my desired degree in real estate and finance, I could also go into this line of work alongside there being other pathways to get this role, such as a degree apprenticeship. This sparked my interest in quantity surveying. Overall, this experience was informative and enjoyable and has inspired me to continue researching different jobs and pathways. 

Ashpreet Kundal Year [13G]