Are you a fan of TikTok?In our podcast with student Ioanna MacKenna she shares her research about TikTok and its influence on young people and politics.Ioanna is a passionate advocate for modernising politics and earlier this year was selected to deliver a prestigious TEDx talk on the subject.In this conversation Ioanna and Claire Ziwa discuss topics including:Politicians as digital influencers on TikTok.Political satire.Subconscious political messaging.TikTok and teenagers.Deciding whether or not to vote.Allowing your vote to be heard as a young person.Developing research skills and entering the Rouse Award at the Perse.Fact-checking what you consume on social media.Taking part in the TEDx talk.The future of TikTok.The influence of TikTok on UK politics.The importance of travel and seeing the world from different perspectives. You can also watch this podcast on The Perse School Cambridge YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agO1WbjxrHU

Are you thinking about a career in medicine?In this podcast we meet Neil, a third year medical student at the University of Cambridge who chose to intercalate medicine with engineering.This combination gave Neil the opportunity to combine his love for engineering and data science with his passion for medicine.As a busy student at Emmanuel College, Neil also fills his time with being a choral scholar, being President of the Emmanuel Medical and Veterinary Society and playing badminton. As well as sharing insights into his Cambridge degree, Neil also talks about the Fellowship programme at Harvard University in Boston, USA, that he took part in last summer, where he worked on ground-breaking research to reduce inequalities in healthcare.In this conversation Neil and Claire Ziwa discuss topics including:Life as a student at Cambridge University.Life in a Cambridge College - Neil attends Emmanuel (Emma) College.Cambridge Science Festival inspiring Neil's passion for science as a child.Work experience at Addenbrookes and the Arthur Rank Hospice.The different aspects of the medical degree.Using AI to create avatars to train new doctors.Looking forward to the fourth year of Neil's medical degree and working in hospital.Achieving a healthy work-life balance to manage the stress of a demanding course.The reasons why Neil chose a medical degree.Harvard Medical School - using Artificial Intelligence to reduce inequalities in healthcare.Important role models.The changing perception of medicine throughout the degree.Advice for young people thinking about a career in medicine.The importance of getting work experience if you want to apply to do a medical degree.Time management.   You can also watch this film on The Perse School Cambridge YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX3UBbDnRVQ

Ever wanted to work in lighting design? In this podcast we meet Senior Lighting Designer George Lawton who completed his A level studies at The Perse School in 2016 before going to Rose Bruford College.In this conversation George and Claire Ziwa discuss topics including:A childhood fascination with lighting.Drama and technical theatre at The Perse.Doing a Lighting Design degree at Rose Bruford College.The importance of soft skills for a successful career.Collaboration and the themed entertainment industry.Lighting large scale international immersive experiences.3D design.Lighting at Cadbury World.Drawn to the Light.Advice for anyone thinking about a career in lighting design or technical theatre.The planning and complexity of lighting design projects.The importance of being kind and working well with others. You can also watch this film on The Perse School Cambridge YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agO1WbjxrHU

Ever wanted to get into the music industry? In our podcast with beatboxer Midé Naike, he shares his life journey so far with Claire Ziwa, with inspiring stories of how he overcame rejection on Britain's Got Talent to ultimately winning The Naked Choir with his acapella group The Sons of Pitches. On top of this he also found time to graduate with a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Birmingham.In this conversation Midé and Claire discuss topics including:Learning how to Beatbox.Being part of The Sons of Pitches.Going to University to study Pharmacy.Winning The Naked Choir.God and Music.Growing up in a Nigerian family.Teenage identity crisis.Teaching beatboxing.Getting into the music industry. You can also watch this podcast on The Perse School Cambridge YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ThePerseSchoolCambridge You can find Midé on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/midenaikeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/midenaike/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@midenaikehttps:/ww.thesonsofpitches.co.uk/

Do you love sport? In this podcast we meet Bella Howarth who completed her A level studies at The Perse School in 2023 before going to University. Not only did Bella represent the school in cricket, netball and hockey but she also started playing cricket at county level at just 15 years old when she joined Essex Women 1st XI.Having previously played in the Sunrisers Academy, Bella is currently in The Blaze Academy squad. Her ambition is to play cricket for England one day. Bella shares more about her sporting journey with Claire Ziwa, and gives some useful advice on keeping a healthy balance between academic work and playing different sports during your school years.In this conversation Bella and Claire discuss topics including:Bella’s passion for playing cricket.Being selected to play cricket for The Blaze Academy.Getting the right balance between playing sport and academic work.The importance of being organised.Advice for young people wanting to follow a sporting career.Memories of school and childhood.Ambitions to play for England.The importance of role models.You can also watch this podcast on The Perse School Cambridge YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ThePerseSchoolCambridge

Are you creative and full of ideas? Do you love building things? Are you fascinated with how things work?In this podcast Fabian Dodds talks to Claire Ziwa and inspires the next generation of engineers with his journey so far, giving us an insight into life on the very competitive Degree Apprenticeship Programme with the Dyson Institute. If you want to follow a career path in engineering, this podcast is certain to ignite your passion for the subject.In this conversation Fabian and Claire discuss topics including:A typical day on the Dyson Engineering Degree Apprenticeship.Maintaining a healthy work/life balance.The skills you need to become an engineer.Hobbies and interests – rugby, drama, public speaking.The value of a practical Engineering degree with Dyson.Choosing Dyson over Cambridge University.A childhood interest in building things, experimentation and being creative.Positive family role models.Advice for anyone wanting to follow a career in engineering.Choosing the right A level subjects.You can also watch this podcast on The Perse School Cambridge YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@ThePerseSchoolCambridge