Last week, from Monday 3rd to Friday 7th March, we celebrated National Careers Week! This year, our careers team organised a week full of inspirational keynote talks, workshops, mock interviews, and a wealth of other activities designed to help students embark on their dream career paths.
National Careers Week is a government initiative aimed at raising awareness of career options and providing the support people need on their journey to success.
Over the course of the week, we welcomed industry-related employers to each of our campuses to conduct 1:1 mock interviews, lead workshops on how to secure jobs and progress in various fields, and deliver keynote speeches designed to inspire students on their career journeys.
Future Me : Keynote speakers
Nigel Vardy – Mr Frostbite (Highfields)
Nigel Vardy, a former electrical engineering apprentice from Derbyshire with a 38-year career in the field, is now an author, mountaineer, and expeditioner. In 1999, Nigel, along with two other British expeditioners, was caught in a summit blizzard on Denali, the highest mountain in North America, where they faced temperatures below -60°C. The ordeal left him with severe frostbite, earning him the nickname "Mr Frostbite."
Nigel shared his incredible story of survival, hope, and determination, discussing the wonder and volatility of the outdoors. He also spoke about his diverse career journey, which has spanned electrical engineering, mountaineering, and writing, and is now serving as the President of the Buxton Mountain Rescue Team.
Emily Campbell – Nottingham born Olympic Weightlifter and medallist (City Hub)
Emily Campbell, a competitor in the women’s super-heavyweight category, has made history as Britain’s first female weightlifter to win an Olympic medal. She made her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), competing in the women’s +87 kg category, where she secured a silver medal. She went on to win a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Emily spoke to students about her journey to the Olympics, the setbacks and challenges she faced, and what’s next for her. She offered a relatable perspective, being from Nottingham with a background similar to that of many of our students. Emily emphasised the importance of finding your passion and pursuing a career at any stage in life, inspiring not only female athletes but anyone from a similar background.
After her speech, we asked Emily for advice she’d give to students starting their own journeys toward their dream jobs. She said:
"Believe in yourself and the process. It might not always seem like things will work out, but they will in the end. The lessons you learn along the way will help you in future life."
Nathan Addai - Professional Animator and founder of Mental Roots (25 Stoney Street)
Nathan Addai is a professional animator who uses animation to address mental health and identity issues within black and ethnically diverse communities. He directed a short animation, commissioned by the Arts Council and aired on the BBC, called Mental Roots, which combines his skills in animation, writing, and voiceover to explore the complexities of mental health issues among young black men.
Nathan spoke to students about how they can use art to raise awareness and highlight important topics, encouraging them to think beyond traditional career paths and explore creative industries in new ways.
Kheron Gilpin – Engagement specialist (Basford)
Kheron Gilpin has over a decade of experience in community development and educational interventions. His work spans motivational speaking, engagement training for educators, and the facilitation of events and dialogues. Kheron has also been commissioned by major brands like Nike, JD, and Sports Direct to run community engagement events and provide youth engagement consultancy.
In his keynote talk, Kheron shared practical tools and strategies for personal and professional progression. His motivational approach encouraged students to rethink challenges they might face in the future and emphasised the importance of finding their voice in leadership and community.
Bodyswaps – Interview techniques using VR headsets
Bodyswaps provided our students with the opportunity to experience a mock interview through virtual reality (VR). This unique experience allowed students to practice answering questions about their skills and abilities, learn more about themselves in interview situations, and receive valuable feedback on their strengths and areas for improvement – all in an immersive VR environment.
Opportunities with industry employers
Throughout the week, we invited employers from various industries to our campuses to conduct 1:1 mock interviews. Students were interviewed as if they were applying for jobs by professionals from outside our organisation. They received feedback on how they could improve or what they did well, creating a realistic environment to help prepare them for future interviews.
Employers from companies like CEMA, Blackburn Starling, Reckitt, McCann, and many others contributed to our Careers Week by offering mock interviews and participating in our employer marketplace, where students had the chance to ask questions about careers and job opportunities.
In addition to the mock interviews, several workshops were held throughout the week. These included sessions on setting up a standout LinkedIn profile, understanding student finance for those considering higher education, building telephone confidence, applying for apprenticeships, and researching future career options. Some of these workshops were delivered by external guests, while others were led by our very own staff.
