Hammersmith Academy Y8 Lunch
Aristotle once said, “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Year 8 students from Hammersmith Academy certainly embodied this philosophy during the careers talk session and two-course lunch at the Information Technologists’ Hall on 5 February 2025. Led by Junior Warden Paul Finch, a team of WCIT members witnessed these young minds demonstrating exceptional critical thinking skills and intellectual curiosity.
Hammersmith, aka the Academy, as its students call it, was co-founded by the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT) and The Mercers’ Company in 2011. Each year, the WCIT funds formal lunches and dinners for Year 8 and Year 12 students, offering them the opportunity to engage with WCIT members and industry professionals, learning about the Livery and the IT sector firsthand.
In preparation for the visit, the Assistant to the Clerk thoughtfully provided an FAQ to help the WCIT team anticipate any tricky questions from the students. However, the young visitors took a freestyle approach, exploring a wide range of topics – from gaming to GenAI. They also shared their reflections on the school’s new mobile phone policy and debated the role of AI in their study. The lively discussions, filled with both humour and deep conceptual thinking, highlighted the students’ well-practiced growth mindset and confidence.
Is Year 8 too early to discuss career options? It’s a debate worth having. However, Freeman Leila Thomas believes that influences from family, friends, and wider networks are just as crucial as classroom learning. For WCIT members, the breakout sessions were not just a chance to share our experiences and advices with the next generation but also an opportunity to reflect and learn from these bright young ladies and gentlemen.
When I asked my table about their key takeaways from the day, they all agreed: they now have a much clearer understanding of different IT careers and the stages of professional growth. And, of course, they loved the food.
We look forward to welcoming them back to Information Technologists’ Hall – whether as Year 12 students or, perhaps, in a decade’s time as WCIT Journeymen!
Many thanks to Junior Warden Paul Finch, Liverymen Seatal Patel, Richard Bishop, Ji Li, and Freemen Alex Bilbie and Leila Thomas for generously sharing their insights and experiences with the visiting students.