Student’s achievement secures all-expenses NewYork trip

A COLLEGE student from Cardiff has won a UK-wide award recognising her achievements in a programme designed to drive employability.

Megan Harrington, who goes to Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC), was one of just two students selected as national winners of the Career Ready Sir Winfried Bischoff Award.

As a result, the 19-year-old business studies student will be going on an all-expenses paid trip to New York in August. Career Ready is a national charity that links with schools and colleges to prepare students for the world of work.

Alongside their academic studies, Career Ready students benefit from a two-year programme of regular mentoring, workplace visits, masterclasses and internships.

“Before Career Ready I was very shy and introverted – I struggled meeting new people and speaking in larger groups,” said Megan. “I’ve learned so much about myself and the steps I need to take to get to where I want to be

“Without Career Ready I would be coming to the end of college with no real ambitions or motivation.

“I wouldn’t be going to university, especially anywhere away from home, and I wouldn’t feel confident in my own abilities.”

During the programme, Megan was given the opportunity to visit the London offices of international law firm, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, which she described as a lifechanging experience.

She later successfully applied for a paid internship with Freshfields, living on her own in the UK capital for six weeks.