PAGE 37
MALCOLM EISENHARDT (08-19) Much has changed since Trevor last asked me to contribute to The OA Magazine. I have completed my study abroad year in Munich and returned to London for a summer internship. Over the summer break, I travelled to France and Spain with some friends from school before an American family wedding in September. Post-wedding, I travelled straight back to begin pre-season football training at the University of Leeds, where I have enjoyed balancing the heavier final-year workload with my footballing duties as Vice President. I’m now looking forward to the Christmas holidays back in London. The reality of next year is fast approaching. Whilst my post-university plans depend on the success of numerous job applications, my study abroad year has inspired me to live abroad again in the near future – New York and Buenos Aires are at the top of my list. A job in sport is my primary goal but if time allows, I’m very keen to complete a language course in Argentina, my mother’s birthplace. I’m enjoying the slightly more structured schedule of third year university and am looking forward to completing these pesky winter assignments before starting my dissertation on the implications of Saudi Arabian investment into the Premier League. All is well up North! JAMES BARNETT (10-19) The last year has been a big one, as I’ve transitioned away from being an apprentice towards my full-time engineering job. I’ve been in my new role now for two months, working as a Manufacturing Engineer in Rolls- Royce’s rapidly growing submarines business. I couldn’t have asked for a better job. I work primarily on the reactor core, which means I get to work on some really interesting (and secret) bits of technology. We’ve also begun work on AUKUS submarine programme, which involves collaboration with the US and colleagues down under. I’ve also seen some interesting things this year. In January, I went to the House of Lords to be part of the official opening of the Nuclear Skills Academy. The NSA has since taken on their second cohort, and I’d love to see Dulwich boys join them in future years. I had a trip to Germany in June to do trials on a large-scale project I’m working on. I ended up using the data to submit my dissertation and gained a first-class degree and a perfect score on the apprenticeship – not something I would have thought possible just four years ago after getting CCC at A level (make sure you let Ms Kelly know!). JACOB PAGE (12-19) Welcome to this year’s moment of self-reflection, where I try to cram 365 days’ worth of life into a couple of paragraphs. Not wanting to break with tradition, it is only fitting that I continue to illuminate the reader with the existential uncertainties that pervade the life of a 20-something. My year started with a stint in the glamorous world of showbiz. Hollywood! The Silver Screen! By showbiz, I should specify that my job often involved standing in the pouring rain for 11 hours at a time, being yelled at by angry commuters for stopping them using their usual rat- runs, which were being used as film locations. Rubbing shoulders with Steve McQueen (no, that one is dead) and Saoirse Ronan isn’t quite the same when you’re in a hi-viz, as opposed to a tux. Rest assured that glorified traffic cone was not my only responsibility: bins needed to be emptied; car park owners needed to be argued with; and angry members of the council evaded. After shooting ended, I was ready for a holiday. Accompanied by a close friend from the days of the Lower School, I embarked on a two-month tour of Europe by rail (and occasional Ryanair hop). During this meandering route across Central, Eastern and Southern Europe, I saw too many cathedrals (yawn!), drank too many local liquors of questionable provenance (yuck!), and discovered that the totality of Europe’s culinary offering can’t quite beat the value, practicality and flavour of a chicken shawarma (yum!). After a few weeks on my own spent chasing tapas in Spain, I returned home, only to fairly accidentally fall into brief employment as a removal man for a Russian art dealer. As work goes, this wasn’t so bad: moving a priceless painting between two mansions is less stressful against the backdrop of the French Riviera. Following this boost to my savings (and tan), I spent the summer bouncing between London, Edinburgh, Norfolk, Greece and Sicily. The last couple of months have seen me back in London for the foreseeable, which has been a welcome opportunity to catch up with friends, family, and on occasion awkwardly bump into my old teachers. As for the future, I am currently on the search for a grown-up job, ideally for an environmental charity. In a year’s time, I fear I might have settled into a career and have a lot less to say in this catch up. That being said, I’ve been saying that for two years now ...
IDRIS OWEN (14-19) It’s been an eventful journey since leaving Dulwich College back in 2019: I have gained a university degree and torn my anterior cruciate ligament (again), and I have travelled Southeast Asia and started my own business. Yet what unites these past few years is the constant question of ‘What next?’ For me, answering this question has been a difficult one. Pursuing a degree in Human Geography hasn’t limited my options; instead, it has been a gateway to exploring diverse areas that intrigue me. My academic journey has expanded my perspectives, particularly delving into topics such as sustainability and the pivotal shift towards a carbon-neutral future. Taking into account my innate proficiency in mathematics, however, I’ve repositioned my career trajectory towards banking and finance, specifically focusing on sustainable investing and the future wellbeing of our planet. I am passionate about emphasising the significance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations for all businesses. In today’s context, our worth hinges on our contributions towards environmental welfare. This paradigm shift marks a pivotal moment as the demand for sustainable practices continues to surge. It’s imperative that we are perceived as environmentally conscientious – a notion driving the growth of the ‘green’ sector. In the summer of 2023, I was an intern at Apollo Private Wealth, working alongside an OA within the wealth management team, which reinforced my resolve to enter the financial domain. Having used the OA Connect network as a source to gain business contacts in a variety of different fields, I have been able to connect with OAs across the financial world, understanding what they do, their journey into their current role and their suggestions and tips for me as a young professional. This source has been of paramount importance coming from a degree which does not directly link to finance or banking and from a household that does not know much about this sector. Having these connections at my fingertips has allowed me to grow and understand more about future possibilities within this broad field. My time post-Dulwich College has encompassed more than just academic pursuits and further education. It has been a transformative period marked by immersive journeys across Southeast Asia, where I sought to explore various cultures across this captivating region. These expeditions were an endeavour to embrace the kaleidoscope of experiences that each country offered – they weren’t just about sightseeing, they were about embracing different worldviews, breaking cultural barriers, and fostering a deeper empathy for the global community. The journeys not only broadened my horizons but also instilled in me a reverence for diversity and an insatiable curiosity to continue exploring. I encourage all young students to explore and to travel, especially when they have the time before starting a professional career. The years which have followed Dulwich College – together with the gradually narrowing of subjects from 11 GCSEs to four A levels to one degree subject – have been a time to truly understand what I enjoy. I am closer to that full understanding now, but it is one which is constantly changing and adapting as professional knowledge and lived experiences tailor my desires to where I want to be. I thank Dulwich College for giving me a platform to foster my interests and desires, ultimately leading me to where I am today.
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs