Education for the next generation | The Progeny Summer School experience

Preparing the next generation for the world of work is a responsibility shared by all professionals. By opening up and offering genuine insight into how organisations operate, businesses can play a vital role in shaping future careers.

There is an ambiguity when it comes to professional advisory services – not many people know the ins and outs, particularly when it comes to financial planning. So providing young people with insight into a multi-disciplined firm, and the diverse range of roles that contribute to its success, is an important part of what we do at Progeny.

The Summer School

We believe it’s important for the next generation to have access to meaningful insight into the wide range of careers available to them. By equipping young people with knowledge about real-world roles and industries, they are better able to make informed and practical decisions both during and after their education about their careers.

At Progeny, our business extends far beyond financial planning alone. Career opportunities span finance, investments, law, operations, technology, marketing and more. Exploring these varied disciplines allows students to understand how different areas of the business work together. From financial planning and investment management to legal expertise and tax strategy, each function plays a vital role in delivering outcomes for our clients.

The Summer School programme provides a structured and immersive experience, offering students genuine insight into life within a professional services environment. Across the week, participants engage in interactive workshops, including portfolio construction exercises, technical sessions led by specialists and talks from guest speakers across the business and wider industry. They also benefit from practical guidance such as CV writing and interview skills training, alongside dedicated opportunities to ask questions and deepen their understanding.

Each day is designed to be engaging and informative, with sessions delivered by teams from across the organisation. Highlights include financial education sessions with a Chartered Financial Planner, investment updates from our Asset Management team and media training led by our Director of Marketing. The programme concludes with a celebration and reflection session, where students are recognised for their achievements and receive their graduation certificates.

Why programmes like this matter

Providing early exposure to the world of work is one of the most effective ways to help young people understand what their future could look like. For many students, careers can feel abstract or limited to what they see in their immediate environment. They are educated on vital subjects like science and maths – but where can these disciplines be applied in the real world?

Programmes like the Progeny Summer School bring those possibilities to life, offering a tangible and realistic insight into professional environments, day-to-day responsibilities and the variety of roles that exist within a modern organisation.

By opening the door to real workplaces, initiatives like this help bridge the gap between education and employment. While academic learning builds foundational knowledge, it does not always reflect the collaborative, fast-paced and multifaceted nature of professional services. Experiencing this first-hand enables students to connect what they learn in the classroom with how those skills are applied in practice, helping them better understand the relevance of their studies and the pathways available to them.

Equally important is the role these programmes play in supporting informed decision-making. Without exposure to different careers, many young people may make choices based on assumptions or limited information. By introducing them to a range of disciplines they are empowered to explore their interests, identify their strengths and consider options they may not have previously been aware of.

Beyond knowledge, the personal impact of these experiences can be significant. Taking part in a professional programme helps build confidence, develop communication and interpersonal skills, and nurture a sense of ambition. Engaging with professionals, asking questions and contributing to discussions allows students to see themselves in those roles, breaking down perceived barriers and building belief in what they can achieve.

Looking ahead

The Progeny Summer School forms part of our wider commitment to developing talent and supporting early careers, but that commitment extends far beyond the programme itself.

For many school leavers and graduates, stepping into the world of work can feel daunting. Despite having the qualifications and potential, it is often difficult to secure opportunities without prior experience, leaving many talented individuals feeling caught in a cycle with limited access to entry points. The Summer School aims to address this challenge early, giving students valuable exposure before they reach that stage and helping to build confidence and practical understanding before higher education and making career decisions.

This impact is best reflected in the experience of one student, who shared their thoughts:

“I didn’t really know what I wanted to do before Summer School, but this week helped me understand so many different career options. I loved how interactive it was – we got involved straight away, asked lots of questions and learned skills I know will be useful in the future. Everyone was friendly and supportive, which made me feel much more confident about working in a professional environment.”

We are already seeing the impact of this approach in action. Following participation in one of our recent programmes, several students have gone on to undertake additional work experience with us and one has secured a position with us. Alongside this, we have been developing a broader work experience offering, as well as defining a dedicated graduate programme to create more structured pathways into the business.

We are looking forward to welcoming two graduate hires into our Data and Technology teams soon, with a third graduate to be recruited into our Digital team in the near future.

A business that makes investments in the next generation is investing in its own future success. Investing in graduates is not only beneficial for those starting their careers, it also brings clear advantages to the industry. Welcoming early talent introduces fresh perspectives, new ideas and evolving skillsets, all of which are essential for organisations looking to adapt and thrive in a changing professional landscape. 

The importance of nurturing talent

The importance of educating and nurturing future talent cannot be reinforced enough. Initiatives like the Progeny Summer School play a vital role in helping young people understand their potential and explore the breadth of opportunities available to them. We hope to continue on this journey for many years to come, learning from the students as they learn from our professionals – so we can provide them with the best experiences and opportunities for growth.