On 13 October, pupils interested in pursuing a career in engineering gathered in the Dominions Theatre for a Careers Tea with Old Blue Ian Arnott (1988–93).
Ian is a technical plant and lead engineer at Keltbray, one of the UK’s leading specialist engineering and early-stage construction companies.
In his talk, Ian shared his professional journey from his early inspiration at Christ’s Hospital – sparked by engineering work taking place at Doctor’s Lake – to his current leadership role at Keltbray. Taking a practical route into the field, Ian has built his career through hands-on experience and determination, offering students a valuable perspective on the many pathways into engineering.
He discussed the structure of the engineering industry, highlighting both its technical and academic routes, and shared practical advice on developing the skills and mindset needed to succeed in this diverse and fast-evolving field.
The session concluded with a Q&A, where students had the opportunity to ask questions about real-world engineering, routes into the profession and how to make the most of their time at school to prepare for future careers – all while enjoying tea, coffee and cake.