The Old Princethorpians were out in force supporting the College's sixth biennial Careers Fair on Saturday 18 March 2023. The Fair attracted a capacity crowd of nearly 1,000 pupils, parents, staff and contributors for a busy and productive morning.

For the OPs it was a chance to give back, network, reconnect with some of their former teachers, who were acting as buddies for the morning, and to catch up on developments, such as meeting the new Headmaster, Mr du Toit, and seeing the progress on the new Science Centre.

Nearly fifty speakers, including current and former parents as well as Old Princethorpians, gave their time to present on a wide variety of careers and professions. From Accountancy, Finance and Banking to Medicine and Midwifery, Engineering, Computing, Law, Architecture, Product Design, Fashion, Sports Careers, Police and the Armed Forces and even Teaching, individual presentations gave pupil attendees the chance to consider careers, research jobs, listen to advice and ask questions.

The morning included a keynote speech from guest speaker, freelance journalist and personal finance reporter, Old Princethorpian, Felicity Hannah (née King-Evans), who left the College in 2001. Felicity’s speech was full of inspiration and sound advice as well as a few tales from her time here at the College. She urged pupils to remember ‘there are no closed doors’ and to be ‘open to change’ as the world of work is changing and career choices evolving. She shared her personal experiences from her very first job while a student as a ‘Ghost Tour Guide’ to how her career progressed from copywriter to freelance journalist and radio presenter. She gave pupils her top tips for success, to network, ask advice, never stand still, be persistent, say thank you and to be the person who is remembered for all the right reasons. She finished by encouraging all to be open and embrace change as there is a world of opportunity out there.

A huge thanks to Felicity and the many OPs involved hosting careers workshops or with stands in the Exhibition, including Evie Bonsall, Nigel Bromley, Bob Cheshire, James Davies, Sol Elliot, James Hewitt, Ed Hunter, Tori Jones, Alfie Kay, Jamie Kettlewell, Matt MacLellan, Bethany Rees, Oli Thomas, Anna Wells, Grace O’Gorman, Rory Draper and Hannah Brindley.