Former Pocklington School student Jodie Hill returned to the school recently to talk to Sixth Form students about 'The Power of Networking'.

Jodie trained as a barrister and then cross qualified to become a solicitor. Having specialised in employment law and mental health from a very early stage in her career, Jodie launched the multi award winning Thrive Law in 2018, based in Leeds. She also runs Thrive Women events which feature inspirational speakers and are an opportunity for women to come together to empower each other by sharing actionable steps to build a successful business. Jodie has featured on the Northern Power Women ‘Future list of leaders and changemakers’ and has recently been appointed by the Law Society to sit as a member of its Employment Law Committee.

In her presentation, Jodie spoke of her personal experiences of networking, from being a newly qualified graduate to the successful business owner she is now. She explained how she had grown her network, why networking is important and when you should start. She also looked at the impact of COVID on traditional networking methods, and how online and in person networking differ but can both be beneficial. Some of her ‘top networking tips’ are to always follow up with people you have met after events and to be consistently proactive on LinkedIn.

Mrs Gillian Jones, Careers and University Adviser, Pocklington School: “Jodie spoke with interest and passion about her experiences of networking and the openings it had afforded her. It was good for the students to hear about the fantastic opportunities networking could offer them and linked to Jodie's huge endorsement of the Pocklington School Careers & Business Network and the Old Pocklingtonian network it highlighted what fantastic resources these are.”