Trevor Nelson to give advice at Cultural Exchanges

Radio 1 DJ, Trevor Nelson, will guest speak at one of the region’s biggest annual creative industry careers events held at De Montfort University (DMU) on Wednesday 10 March.

The Creative Industry Show at DMU’s Campus Centre in Leicester attracts more than 500 visitors each year and showcases key names and industry employers, talks, plus an employers’ exhibition.

It is designed to give students and the general public a kick start into careers in fashion, arts and media and this year’s event will include Next, scriptwriting consultancy, Industrial Scripts, and a creative software firm amongst others.

This year, the Creative Industry Show runs from 10.30am until 3.15pm, featuring a keynote speech from 1Xtra and Radio 1 hip-hop, soul and RnB DJ, Trevor Nelson from 2.30pm until 3.15pm.

Trevor Nelson, said: “It’s a great privilege for me to be speaking at this show, I’ve always enjoyed these kinds of events. It’s great for the students to get an insight into what I do and vice versa.”

Renowned scriptwriter and owner of London-based scriptwriting consultancy, Industrial Scripts, Evan Leighton-Davis, will also introduce a talk on ‘The UK film industry and how to break into it’ during the day. His company has worked with filmmakers including BBC Films, Paramount, Warner Bros. and Pathé.

There will also be seminars on careers in retail with Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce’s Retail Project Manager, Helen Smith – a retail specialist with UK & international recruitment experience who led the recruitment project at Highcross Leicester. Other talks will cover social media, graduate internships, business start-ups and careers in creative technology.

Helen Smith, added: “It’s vitally important that graduates understand the skills and competencies they need to get ahead in the jobs market, especially in these highly competitive sectors; this event will offer some really positive advice and guidance.”

The employers’ exhibition offers Leicester-based retailer, Next, business support company for the arts, media and design industry, Creative Leicestershire and the Curve Leicester Theatre Trust.

Clare Hudson, Creative Industries Manager for Creative Leicestershire, said: “It’s even more competitive than usual in the creative sector jobs market at the moment. Anyone about to graduate or change career should not miss this opportunity to come and talk to employers about what they are looking for.”

iPhone application developers, Style Loft, will be running a competition for a student to design a new app. The winner will not only see their idea turned into a reality, but will also receive a percentage of the profits.

Also on-hand with helpful hints and tips at the employers’ exhibition will be a CV Clinic, Hot Prospects and DMU’s Campus Enterprise Opportunities.

Event organiser and DMU’s Careers Employer Development Manager, Stuart Marriott, said: “The University specialises in provision for the creative industries and aims to support our students and graduates in finding employment. As well as the advice offered by employers, tailor-made information will be available from our own Careers and Employment Support team for any student at any stage of their job hunting programme.

“We’re really excited Trevor Nelson will be visiting DMU – his background in the media and in volunteering projects is hugely relevant and we hope students and graduates take the opportunity to listen to his address.”

The Creative Industry Show 2010 is a free event open to students and graduates, as well as the general public. To find out more, visit www.dmu.ac.uk/creativeindustry.