Following a successful inaugural CareerFest in 2024, Huish recently hosted another festival-themed careers festival for Year 1 students.
CareerFest 2025 transformed the campus into a hub of opportunity and inspiration where students were connected with a range of career and progression pathways.
The day featured a careers fair in the sports hall, where students had the chance to connect with representatives from over 70 employers and universities. New for this year was also the opportunity to speak to two independent careers advice for personalised guidance. 
In the Huish theatre, Bethan Turner, Membership and Events Manager at Taunton Chamber of Commerce, hosted an employer panel featuring Laura Mackain-Bremner from Clarke Willmott, Stuart Martin from Ethical Sales Pro, Helen Oliver from Aria Care and Rob Moore, Centre Manager at Orchard Shopping Centre.
The panel offered students valuable insights into the world of work. Ahead of the event, students were able to submit questions to the panel, with the best question awarded a £50 Eat the Bird voucher, generously provided by Taunton Chamber. This was won by student Raffi Norris for his future-thinking and considered question: “Given your extensive background in retail management with major brands like Marks & Spencer and Aldi, what key trends do you see shaping the future of retail and hospitality, and how is the Orchard Shopping Centre adapting to these changes?”.
Moving through the day’s activities in four different groups, students were also able to choose two mini talks from a wide selection of topics: apprenticeships, CV creation, gap years, the science of procrastination, volunteering abroad, presenting your best self in applications, personal statements, choosing your university and student life and finance.
Jo Mellor, Progression Advisor, said: “CareerFest is a brilliant opportunity for students to take time out of their usual timetable to get inspired about their next steps.
“Whether they’re thinking about university, apprenticeships or going straight into work, the day gives them space to explore progression opportunities, ask questions, make connections and have some fun in the process. It’s a great example of the comprehensive careers programme here at Huish that helps students feel more confident about their futures.”
The college thanked returning sponsors Moore Scarrott and Kennedys Law and Taunton Chamber of Commerce for hosting the employer panel and the employers and university representatives who gave up their time to support and inspire the students:
A C Mole, Albert Goodman, British Army, BAM Construction, Davitt Jones Bould, EDF Environment Agency, Everyone Active, Leonardos, Lentells, Lloyd & Whyte, Milsted Langdon, National Trust, Nationwide, NHS – Somerset Foundation Trust, Numatic, Oyster Worldwide, Avon and Somerset Police, PKF Francis Clarke, Premier Education, RSPCA, RAF, Somerset Wildlife Trust, Spark a Change, Stantec, Symphony Healthcare Services, Thatchers Cider, The Oak Partnership Trust, UK Hydrographic Office, Bangor University, University of Bath, Bath Spa University, BIMM Music Institute, University of Birmingham, Bournemouth University, University of Bristol, Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, University of Exeter, Falmouth University, University of Gloucestershire, Lancaster University, Next Steps South West, Oxford Brookes University, University of Plymouth, University of Portsmouth, The University of Reading, Royal Agricultural University, Royal Holloway – University of London, University of Sheffield, University of Southampton, Swansea University, University Centre Weston, University Centre Somerset, University of South Wales, University of Warwick, University of the West of England (UWE), and The University of Winchester.
Join Somerset Chamber of Commerce to give your business a stronger voice both locally, regionally and nationally. Combined with local town chambers, we represent over 2,000 businesses across Somerset with a direct line to policy-makers at all levels.
