One of the most powerful moments of this year’s Three Schools Careers Fair, organised by Trent’s dedicated careers team and open to pupils from Trent College, Wilsthorpe School and Friesland Sixth Form, wasn’t just the universities, employers or specialist break-out talks, it was seeing former pupils return to their old school as role models.

Several Old Tridents joined this event alongside the many other professionals from across industry and higher education, sharing insights about their journeys after leaving school. From law and medicine to veterinary practice and environmental degree apprenticeships, the OTs explained the steps they’d taken, the doubts they’d overcome and the choices they made that got them to where they are today.

Trent pupils repeatedly tell us how reassuring it is to speak to someone who once sat in the same classrooms as them and faced the same decisions. Hearing “I started here too” has a unique power, as it turns careers advice into belief.

     
Leo Allanson, Class of 2024                                                                 Will Craig, Class of 2024,       
                              Environmental Management Degree Apprentice, Submarine Delivery Agency, MOD                             University of Sheffield Law Student                                                                                          

This is exactly why alumni involvement matters. Your story helps young people understand pathways, broaden ambitions and make confident choices about their futures. You don’t need a perfect career or a linear journey; in fact, the twists and turns are often what inspire the most.

We would love to grow our OT network and welcome more former students back into school life. Whether you can attend a future event, offer a short talk, provide mentoring, or simply share your experience, you can make a genuine difference.

The next event coming up in the careers calendar is the annual What’s My Line? Careers Networking event, for all pupils in year 10.  This year, the careers team are also planning to involve Year 7 pupils, inspiring from the grass roots of career exploration.  More details of this event as the planning unfolds will be provided, and in the meantime you can register your interest to attend as a career networking delegate by email to alumni@trentcollege.net

Visit our Careers Connect page to find out more about becoming a careers volunteer and register your interest