Tuesday 13th December; 10.00 am to 11.15 am
Virtual Breakfast Seminar
Navigating the graduate recruitment process is time consuming, challenging and will test the skills of even the hardiest of applicants. However, throw in the additional dimension of disability and it can become even more challenging. Challenges such as disclosure, requesting support, mitigating circumstances, and hoping the interviewers will see past their disability all need to be navigated. Understanding these challenges is key for employers wishing to engage with disabled individuals and support them during the recruitment process and in the workplace.
This Breakfast Seminar will provide you with the opportunity to develop your understanding as we will be joined by students and recent graduates who will talk from first-hand experience about their disability. They will share insights about how their disability affects them, how they manage it and the impact it has had on their studies, extra-curricular activities, and their time at university. They will also share insights regards applying for jobs, being open about their disability and requesting the support they may require.
Their insights will, once again, remind us of the ‘plus’ that individuals frequently develop due to managing their disability and navigating the barriers and obstacles that life throws their way; skill such as resilience, determination and problem solving, all of which are seen as a huge asset in the workplace.
As ever, our Breakfast Seminar will be interactive and enable delegates to engage in conversations with our speakers and to ask the questions that they normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to ask or feel comfortable in doing.
Agenda
Disability and student life
Helen Cooke, CEO, My Plus, will start the seminar by sharing insights and considerations
First- hand experience
Insights into managing disability
Panel discussion
An opportunity to find out more about the areas that interest you
Speakers
Nad Moledina
Nad has recently completed his studies in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at King’s College London and is graduating in January, having achieved a first. Outside of university, Nad has worked in strategy consulting during an internship at Oliver Wyman, working with both private equity firms and global financial institutions during his time there, which he immensely enjoyed. He is currently in the process of applying for graduate roles in consulting as well as investment banking.
Nad has a bilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss, and Asperger’s Syndrome, both of which have presented their own challenges. His hearing loss means he relies partially on lip-reading, and therefore suboptimal auditory environments, such as large lecture theatres, prove particularly challenging. At university, Nad’s hearing loss has meant that he has to work harder outside of classes and use them instead as a secondary source of information. His Asperger’s Syndrome has meant that social situations were often challenging and confusing to navigate, however, through sheer persistence, he has been able to gradually develop his social skills and now relishes interacting with others.
While both conditions have presented significant challenges, consistently overcoming such challenges has enabled Nad to develop a hardened and unfazed resilience which he believes to be one of his biggest strengths and key differentiators.
Gabriella More O’Ferrall
Gabriella is a 3rd year Chemistry student at Imperial College London. After graduating she is hoping to find a role in the finance sector using her data analysis and problem solving skills.
Gabriella was born with a rare bone disease called Congenital Pseudarthrosis which lead to deformities and complications with bone repair in her left leg. After 19 years, and just as many surgeries, she had an elective below-knee amputation. Being as determined as she is, she decided to not let her disability take anymore from her than it already had and spent a short 2 months learning to walk before returning to university at the end of the summer with her peers.
During her free time she works as part of the Richard Whitehead foundation, being an advocate for people with disabilities to lead an active lifestyle. Gabriella has never viewed being disabled as negative. It has taught her resilience and determination that helps her wake up every day and strive for what she wants – and help people in similar positions to do the same.
Mia Pancholi
Mia is a first-year undergraduate reading Law at the University of York . Their aspirations are to work in Human Rights Law and are passionate about the Rights of Children and universal access to Human Rights. Mia is the BAME Officer at their College within the University and is also a member of the University Boxing Club.
They are diagnosed with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, and Irlen Syndrome. They were diagnosed after year 13, and struggled through their GCSEs and A-levels, as they only received minimum support. Now at university, and with a diagnosis, they have the appropriate support and are flourishing. Prior to diagnosis, Mia struggled with feeling comfortable in an academic setting, and while showed potential it wasn't reflected on paper. Now they are able to access a level playing field, they are continuing to make the most out of both their academics and career prospects.
Mia hopes to secure a training contract with a firm that accepts their disabilities and helps provide support and understanding throughout the start of their career journey. They hope they can advocate for students and future lawyers in similar circumstances so that the workplace can feel more comfortable for people with learning disabilities.
Arjuna Rupasinha
Arjuna graduated with a law degree from Durham University. He currently works as the Legal Operations Manager for Bulb Energy. Arjuna is considering a range of career options, including law and strategy consulting.
Arjuna has successfully overcome the challenges which his visual impairment presents. For example, he found reading a slow and arduous task. However, he did not wish this to limit his grades at university as he studied a reading-intensive degree. He resolved to find ways to improve his efficiency at work. He came across speed-reading in his research. He prioritised developing the skill and now reads at up to triple the average reading rate. This allowed him to convert his low marks in his formative assessments of first-year university into module prizes and a first-class degree.
Arjuna also enjoys sport. He was the Head of Sport for his college at university and enjoyed playing American football and football alongside his studies.
Sophie Sutton
Sophie is a consultant working on the People Advisory Service graduate scheme at EY. She was first diagnosed with CFS/ME at age 13 and now lives with multiple chronic illnesses that have a significant impact on her life.
Prior to joining EY, Sophie trained as a Children’s Nurse at the University of Birmingham. She worked at a specialist children’s hospital for over a year before becoming medical unfit to practice because of a severe ‘flare-up’ of her illnesses. This was a difficult experience for Sophie, but one that she has learnt a lot from.
Sophie is also a core team member of the Ability EY network which advocates for disability confidence and supports people within EY to lead exceptional careers. Outside of work, Sophie volunteers for the charity Action for M.E and is a disability rights advocate on social media.
Akhil Thomas
Akhil works as a Lead Data Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover which he joined in October 2022 having completed a Master’s in Global operations and service management at Aston University.
Having completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Akhil had wanted to pursue a career in engineering however he was forced to change career paths following a motorbike accident in his 3rd year which resulted in a spinal cord injury. Finding the resilience and strength to overcome obstacles, Akhil returned to university 2 years after his injury and completed his degree.
Akhil joined a software company and worked as a QA tester before quickly becoming promoted to an Operations Manager. It was as a result of this role that he decided to do his Masters which in turn lead him to his role at Jaguar Land Rover.
Akhil attended a careers insight event hosted by MyPlus in July 2022 which he credits with helping him to realise his potential and landing his dream job at Jaguar Land Rover.
Breakfast Seminars are exclusively for members of the Recruiters’ Club. They are ideal for anyone wishing to build their understanding of different types of disabilities and the impact it can have on the individual in their studies, extra-curricular activities and the workplace.
MyPlus Recruiters’ Club Platinum and Gold members are entitled to 2 complimentary places. Additional complimentary places may be available depending on room capacity, with priority being given to Platinum members.
MyPlus Recruiters’ Club Silver may purchase places at a reduced price of £50 + VAT
Contact lise@myplusconsulting.com to purchase places or for information on Recruiters’ Club membership.
MyPlus run a variety of these types of events for employers. For details of the different types visit our employer events page. For details of forthcoming Recruiters’ Club events taking place visit our events calendar page.
