Qualified, What Next? (formerly Symonds & Me) is an educational podcast hosted by Liam which aims to bridge conversations between businesses and higher education providers to provide an insight into different career areas and offer practical advice on what the public can do right now to prepare themselves for the workforce or higher education.
Why AI Skills and Networking Matter for Your Tech Career
In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Payton who is a Technology Strategist at Microsoft, where we explore how AI is reshaping research, we highlight the amazing courses on offer to start a career in Tech and Ryan also details how he first started in this industry.
Take a look at the links below to explore all the resources we discussed in this episode...
Microsoft Learn (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/)
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals Certification (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/azure-ai-fundamentals/)
Microsoft 365 Certified: Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/copilot-and-agent-administration-fundamentals/?practice-assessment-type=certification)
AI Hub from Microsoft and The Open University (https://www.open.edu/openlearn/digital-computing/ai-hub)
Microsoft Research Blog (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/blog/)
STEM Ambassadors (https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors)
Tech First (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/techfirst)
Cyber Explorers (for 11-14 year olds) (https://www.cyberexplorers.co.uk/)
19 Sept 2026
Exploring Play to the Crowd's Community Engagement
In the first episode of Season 2, I speak with Kirstie Mathieson and Hannah Jones from Play to the Crowd, where we explore the community engagement work they are involved with, we uncover a few behind the scenes tidbits of how Hat Fair is developed each year, as well as we explore how young people can get involved with a range of theatre roles right now.
22 Jul 2026
Level 3 IT: Year in Review
In this episode, I sit down with two of our Level 3 IT students, who detail what they have got up to during their time studying IT, the skills they have gained and they also provide insightful advice for those looking to study IT in the future.
10 Jun 2026
An Insight into the Role of a Senior Zoo Keeper
In this episode, I sit down with Senior Hoofstock Keeper Zoe Newnham from Marwell Zoo, where we discuss the different pathways into the Animal Care industry, we debunk myths about the zoo and we also discuss the conservation work that Marwell supports.
Resources discussed in the Podcast:
Marwell Zoo Support Page (https://www.marwell.org.uk/support-us/support-our-charity/)
Zoo Animal Welfare Book | Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zoo-Animal-Welfare-Paul-Rose/dp/1032547367)
22 Apr 2026
The Secret to Standing Out in Tech Careers
In this episode, I sit down with Recruitment Expert Greg Fry who shares his journey into the tech industry, practical tips for students to make their applications stand out, the skills in demand and how AI is transforming recruitment.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
MIT Technology Review (https://www.technologyreview.com/?_ptid=%7Bkpdx%7DAAAAwfanQCDzhQoKV1VPQ05TVWdwdRIQbW85MG95MHg4cG9vOTc3MxoMRVhMM0U0WUNINTJWIiUxODA3aGhnMGRjLTAwMDAzN2RoZ2kzb29ubGt1dGppcWQ2ODBzKhxzaG93VGVtcGxhdGUxSkhHMlVYR0RCOFQxMjI1MAE6DE9UTUlLWEhINFhXTkINT1RWTTFOSlNUQVlTVVISdi2GAPAXenRsMmt3b3l2WgwxNDYuOTAuMTIuODhiA2RtY2iBw6TPBnBLeAQ)
Tech Radar (https://www.techradar.com/uk)
TLDR (https://tldr.tech/)
1 Apr 2026
Discovering Hidden Gems with Experience Hampshire
In this episode, I sit down with Roger Walker from Experience Hampshire, who explores his love of Hampshire and how it led to the creation of the online portal known as 'Experience Hampshire', which is home to a wide range of quirky and unique experiences to enjoy across the Hampshire region.
Experience Hampshire Website (https://experiencehampshire.uk/)
Penguin Feeding at Bird World (https://experiencehampshire.uk/experience/private-penguin-feeding-experience-for-2-people-711?name=penguin%20feeding)
Southampton City Vaults Tour (https://experiencehampshire.uk/experience/explore-southampton-city-vaults---hidden-southampton-walking-tour-744?name=vaults)
Hampshire Vineyard Tour and Tasting (https://experiencehampshire.uk/experience/hampshire-vineyard-tour-and-tasting-813?name=wine)
13 Mar 2026
Encouraging More Women to Pursue a Career in STEM
In this episode, I sit down with some of our female learners on our Level 2 IT and Level 3 IT courses, to shine a light on how accessible the pathways into STEM are and we also discuss what could be done to encourage more women and girls to pursue careers within this exciting field.
Resources to Support Young Women Pursing Careers in STEM:
Girls Who Code (https://girlswhocode.com/)
Million Women Mentors (https://mwm.stemconnector.com/)
Young Women's Trust (https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/)
Next Tech Girls (https://nexttechgirls.com/)
Tech She Can (https://techshecan.org/)
Stemettes (https://stemettes.org/)
STEM Learning (https://www.stem.org.uk/)
3 Mar 2026
Teaching in a Data-Driven World at the University of Bournemouth
In this episode, I sit down with University of Bournemouth Programme Leader Festus Adedoyin, who discusses with me his role at the University, what students can expect when looking to study a degree within the Technology sector, as well as he offers advice for what students should be doing right now to prepare themselves to work in this exciting area.
For more information about the courses offered in the Computing and Informatics Department, take a look at their webpage:
https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/undergraduate-subject-areas/computing-informatics-courses (https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/undergraduate-subject-areas/computing-informatics-courses)
4 Feb 2026
Unveiling the World of Esports Hosting and Casting
In this episode, I sit down with Esports Host and Caster Leyna McQuillin, where we discuss her experiences working in the Esports, what it is like to work freelance, as well as she offers some inspirational words of encouragement to those interested pursuing a career within this field.
21 Jan 2026
Understanding the Role of Winchester Student Union
In this episode, I sit down with Winchester Student Union's President Alexandra Wilson, where we discuss what the Student Union is, how the Student Union supports students, what she does within her role as Student Union President as well as offering encouraging advice for students looking to study at University soon.
7 Jan 2026
Navigating Use of AI Within Education
In this episode, I sit down with Cloud and AI Specialist Maddie, where we discuss how AI is changing education, apprenticeships, as well as offering inspirational advice to encourage more women to pursue roles in STEM.
22 Dec 2025
An Exploration of Winchester BID's Event Management
In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Davis, who is Winchester BID's District Manager, where we discuss what it takes to set Winchester up for Christmas, as well as what young people can do right now to get involved with the Winchester community.
10 Dec 2025
An Insight Into IBM Apprenticeships
In this episode, I sit down with former PSC Student Joe, who gives an insight into what it is like to apply and undertake an IBM Apprenticeship, as well as offers up advice on what students should be doing right now to support their Apprenticeship applications.
26 Nov 2025
Forging a Career Within Marketing
In this episode, I sit down with former PSC Student Abby, who gives me an insight into how she upskilled to start a career in the Marketing industry, what she gets up to within her current role, as well as discusses the benefits of studying an Apprenticeship.
19 Nov 2025
Vocational Courses & Work Experience
In this episode, I sit down with Upper Sixth Student Harry, who discusses what he enjoys about the Vocational Courses he studies and the things he has got up to throughout his time at Peter Symonds College.
12 Nov 2025
The Power of Level 2 Studies
In this episode, I sit down with Lower Sixth Student Thomas , who discusses what he got up to on the Level 2 programme he completed last year and how it has helped him to confidently progress onto Level 3.
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