Pictured above: (l-r) Bethany Stanley, Zeneuska Pardoe-Griffiths and James Syree

It is true that certain career paths seem a lot more attractive to young people when they are considering options for higher education.

While many students are attracted towards, what they consider to be, the more exciting career options like media studies for example, the professional sector is often something that is overlooked.

This is what has inspired Spa firm Ballard Dale Syree Watson to participate in a careers convention event which takes place on Thursday 27th January at Droitwich Spa High School.

The Careers Convention has been held at Droitwich Spa High School bi-annually for over a decade, offering around 400 students and their parents the opportunity to ask many local employers and colleges career related questions. Other participating organisations include DHL, Specsavers, the Armed Forces and Birmingham University. Students from years 9 - 13 are all invited together with those from local school Dodderhill in an effort to increase young people's awareness of their options post 16. 

Audit and accounts manager, James Syree, who joined Ballard Dale Syree Watson last year, feels that as a local employer it would benefit from promoting accountancy to young people as a career option.

James says: "I think accountancy firms in general need to get out there in the community and try to help alter the perception of what accountancy is all about.

"I think many young people may see us as sitting at a desk in front of a calculator all day or working on laborious Excel spread sheets and yet the reality is that we get to work with some really exciting businesses and get to meet some fascinating people."

"The rewards and the buzz of big business are fantastic and also no two days are the same. I could be in London one day or Edinburgh the next. There are even opportunities for overseas travel. By helping our clients with strategies and forward planning we contribute to their overall success which gives you a wonderful sense of achievement. "

Celia Adams, who is the Chair of the Worcestershire Group of Chartered Accountants, is delighted that as valued members of the Institute, Ballards are doing their bit to promote accountancy holistically.

She says: "The Institute is really keen to attract bright young people to accountancy as a higher education and career option. I think also in light of the tuition fees debate, many top grade A' Level students could always consider the in-house study option, where they could attain qualifications as well as gain valuable experience. Lots of our members offer learning and professional development programmes which are certainly worth further exploration."