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Ellis goes back to school to inspire next generation of property professionals

NG’s trainee surveyor Ellis Cullen has returned to her alma mater, Trent College, to help inspire students.

Ellis, a former Academic and Sports Scholar at Trent College, as well as senior prefect who ultimately reached the pinnacle as Head of School, spoke to a packed hall of students on her career path so far, just in time for National Apprenticeship Week, which starts today (7th February).

Ellis is in the third year of her Degree Apprenticeship study and is a strong advocate of such a career choice.

She said:

“There are so many advantages to taking the apprenticeship route. You get your work experience, so you are earning whilst you are learning. By the time you achieve your degree, you have also started to build your professional network. So once qualified, you are not starting at the bottom of the ladder, you are already starting to climb.”

Ellis now wants to encourage Trent College students who are looking to go to university full time to look at a degree course with a placement year. NG has supported Ellis by sponsoring her Degree Apprenticeship programme so that she could continue to study and gain invaluable work experience.

She said:

“This approach, I believe, helps students with future choices, but also helps graduates land the job they’ve been looking for.

“The Degree Apprenticeship has exposed a wide network I wouldn’t have had at university. I was thrown in at the deep end and it was overwhelming. But it was short term overwhelm for long term gain of knowledge and experience”.

Ellis told the Trent College students:

“Explore your options. Don’t limit yourself. If you know what you want, and you are ambitious, then go for it. You have to want it because it is competitive. Be committed and be determined.”

NG have a longstanding pedigree in supporting surveying talent and close ties with Nottingham Trent University with three directors and Charlotte Steggles all being NTU Alumni.