First Edition of the Guidance Fair: A Space to Talk About the Future

Academic guidance in Valladolid at the student orientation fair.

Making decisions about the future is never easy, especially between the ages of 12 and 18, a stage when important questions begin to arise: What do I want to study? What would I like to do in the future? What options actually exist?

With the aim of helping students reflect on these questions and discover new academic and professional possibilities, Colegio Internacional de Valladolid organised the first edition of its Guidance Fair on 26 February. The event was designed to broaden students’ perspectives and bring them closer to the reality of the educational and professional world.

A key moment to think about the future

We live in a time of constant change. The professional world is evolving at a speed that would have seemed unimaginable just a few years ago. Many traditional professions are transforming while, at the same time, new specialisations are emerging, driven by artificial intelligence, technology and digitalisation.

In this context, having clear information and real experiences has become essential for young people to make informed decisions about their academic and professional future.

The fair was created precisely with this aim: to provide a space where students could explore options, listen to testimonies and experience different areas of knowledge first-hand.

What did students find?

The Guidance Fair organised by Colegio Internacional de Valladolid was designed to offer a clear vision of this new scenario. During the event, students explored which professions may be most in demand in the coming years, discovered emerging fields and gained a better understanding of how their interests and abilities might fit within them.

It was also an opportunity to discuss ideas with experts, resolve doubts and take part directly in different activities, helping many students identify which path might best suit their profile.

The event embraced an innovative format in Valladolid, where the real protagonist was the student. Workshops, interactive sessions and dynamic presentations meant the experience was far more than a simple information day.

Participants were also able to discover university options, vocational training programmes and other educational pathways they may not have previously known about, broadening their perspective on the future.

Participation of educational institutions

One of the great strengths of this first edition was the participation of around twenty educational institutions, offering direct and accessible information to students.

Throughout the day, universities, vocational training centres, public institutions and other educational initiatives were present, all with the aim of guiding and supporting students in making decisions about their academic future.

Each organisation had its own information stand where students could ask questions, learn about educational pathways, and discover new opportunities.

More than twenty institutions are present

This direct contact helped many young people better understand how different academic paths work and what opportunities open up after each choice. The presence of so many educational institutions contributed to offering a broad vision of today’s educational landscape.

Interactive workshops that sparked vocationsreal-life situations.

One of the most memorable parts of the fair was the practical and interactive workshops, which allowed students to experience different disciplines in a dynamic and participatory way.

Students took part in a wide range of activities, from laboratories analysing genetic samples, where they discovered how biotechnology research works, to computational logic workshops focused on mathematical thinking and problem-solving.

The event also included particularly engaging workshops that introduced students to innovative and creative fields. Among them were the artificial intelligence workshops delivered by Campus 42 from Telefónica, a programming school that trains future experts in data technology and AI. Another very popular workshop was the redesign of Pringles packaging, led by the Escuela Superior de Diseño, where students explored how to rethink the image and design of a well-known product, combining creativity, design, and practical thinking applied to

Practical activities and experimentation

There were also spaces dedicated to artificial intelligence, technological entrepreneurship, and other emerging fields, which generated great interest among the attending students.

Students’ reactions were very positive. Many highlighted how enriching it was to experience in practice what they had previously only seen in theory.

Talks and professional experiences

Throughout the day, participants also attended talks and testimonies from professionals who shared their personal experiences and explained how they had developed their careers.

Among them, the intervention by Matchpoint stood out — a technology company from Valladolid that is a global pioneer in its sector. Its representatives explained how innovation, talent and technological specialisation can open professional opportunities in highly competitive and global industries.

These testimonies allowed students to gain first-hand insight into how professional careers are built in leading companies and how technology is transforming the labour market.

Testimonies that broadened perspectives on the future

Listening to real stories helped students better understand the possible paths ahead and discover that there is not just one way to build a professional future. These interventions expanded the educational horizons of attendees and helped them imagine new possibilities.

The fair also reached the radio

The event also included a very special moment: the live recording of the programme “Más de Uno Valladolid” from Onda Cero, hosted by Raúl Rodríguez.

Live broadcast from the school

During the broadcast, representatives from leading companies on the national scene participated, as well as members of the leadership and academic coordination team of Colegio Internacional de Valladolid, who shared the educational philosophy behind initiatives such as this fair.

Without a doubt, this first edition of the Guidance Fair demonstrated that offering young people spaces to explore their future is more necessary than ever. Following the enthusiasm shown by students and the strong participation of educational institutions, the initiative clearly has the potential to become a leading educational event in Valladolid.