Designed to give students a vivid picture of the industry’s breadth, CybXpo brought together an impressive mix of speakers from healthcare, government, design, AI, the Royal Air Force, retail, and private-sector tech. Students heard first-hand how varied, dynamic and rewarding a future in IT can be.
The event featured an inspiring story from Stuart Harper, who charted his progression from student to college technician. He offered a behind-the-scenes look at the major infrastructure projects he now supports, including upgrades to the college’s server estate.
Former head of IT services Richard Brook shared an unexpected career journey that started in electrical work before evolving into two decades leading the college’s IT operations. Now splitting his time between the University of Huddersfield and volunteering with the Woodland Trust, Richard encouraged students to embrace opportunities that lead them down new and surprising paths.
Representatives from Mansfield creative powerhouse Linney followed, with motion directors Gabriel Johnson, Jen Burton, and James Reeves showcasing the mix of artistic and technical roles within their film and animation team. Their message to students was that tech careers can be as creative as they are technical.
Students also gained insights into software development from Councillor Matt Relf, Ashfield District Council’s executive lead for growth. He spoke about real-world concepts such as technical debt and highlighted the growing number of software roles available locally.
Francine Rowley, talent and skills adviser at Mansfield District Council, continued the theme of employability, briefing students on the local labour market, emerging skill demands, and what makes a standout application.
Claire Garner, digital training and development manager at Nottinghamshire Health Informatics Service, joined with colleagues and apprentices to explore interview techniques, professional presentation, and the wide range of digital placements available across the health service.
The week also featured a captivating session with Stuart Mulligan, a cyberspace engineer in the Royal Air Force. With 27 years of service behind him, Stuart gave an open and detailed look at the technical roles available in the military and the training routes that support them.
Dan Fisher and Jared Measures joined in the forum. The duo are from Think Big – a partnership between Nottingham Forest Community Trust and Ideagen. They demonstrated how football can be used to spark young people’s interest in digital careers, while offering pathways into apprenticeships and hands-on tech challenges. Students learned about upcoming opportunities, including Think Big’s popular tech design masterclass.
Learner development coach and organiser of CybXpo, Paula Hyde, said: “Last week’s guest speakers’ experience and knowledge left students with a strengthened sense of direction, new professional connections, and a clear message that the digital world is vast, varied, and absolutely full of opportunity.
“We’re looking forward to planning ahead in terms of considering what careers the students can focus on after their studies and continuing to research this ever-developing sector and the employment possibilities within it.”