Tuesday 12th December; 9.30 am to 11.00 am
Virtual Breakfast Seminar
Navigating recruitment processes is time consuming, challenging and will test the skills of even the hardiest of applicants. However, for the 15% of disabled students in UK universities, this process can become even more challenging since they often have further considerations that are associated with their disability or health condition; challenges such as disclosure, requesting support and positioning mitigating circumstances. Understanding these challenges is fundamental for employers if you are to successfully engage with this talent pool and support them through your recruitment process.
This Breakfast Seminar will provide you with the opportunity to hear from students and graduates about the additional challenges and concerns they face as a result of 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 discuss applying for jobs, being open about their disability and requesting the support they may require.
Their insights will also 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; skills such as resilience, determination and problem solving, all of which are an 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 and / or feel comfortable asking.
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
Alma Beutelspacher
Alma is a second-year Law Student at King's College London, hoping to join a commercial firm after graduation. Coming from an international background, Alma has attended legal internships both in Germany and in the UK, in the academic, private, and commercial sector.
Alma has Hashimoto's disease and Chronic Pain Syndrome, meaning her disability is dynamic and often invisible. She has previously advocated for disability inclusion internationally, such as at the Ford Foundation in New York City.
Georgia Crossman
Georgia is an Associate within the Corporate team at Reed Smith, joining the firm as a trainee in 2020 after completing a history degree at the University of Kent before completing the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course at BPP in London.
Georgia has the hypermobile type of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which is largely an invisible disability to those who are not familiar with the condition. Georgia is a member of the Reed Smith disability inclusion group LEADRS and has worked to raise awareness of the importance of support for those with disabilities both when entering the profession and developing throughout their careers.”
Will Forrest
Will is a third-year Law student at the University of Warwick and an aspiring commercial Solicitor. Will has completed a number of work experiences in law and finance. These include a summer vacation scheme with commercial law firm Holman Fenwick Willan, mini-pupillages, JP Morgan Asset Management Program, and an internship and open day at wealth management company Julius Baer.
Will has Cerebral Palsy which enables him to walk short distances and uses a wheelchair when he is required to walk further.
Gabriella More O’Ferrall
Gabriella is a 4th 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 led 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 second-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.
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
MyPlus run a variety of these types of events for employers. For details of the different types visit our events page. For details of forthcoming Recruiters’ Club events taking place visit our events calendar page.
