BLOG | DISCOVER YOU CAREER PROGRAMME

SUN DELIVERY GROUP BLOG | MAY 2023

By Tahlia Carr, SUN Project Facilitator

• Gained a greater understanding of post-16 education opportunities

• Engaged in their own careers research

• Developed an understanding of what makes them employable

REWIND: Why we created the programme

There were three key factors that played a part in our decision to develop this much-needed programme:

FACTOR 1 | OUR EXPERIENCE IN THE CLASSROOM

As facilitators, we often ask that oh-so-common ‘hands-up’ question: ‘Does anyone know what they want to do in the future?’. In our experience, few hands go up. We’ve seen a large proportion of career indecision and reduced career certainty among students.

PROBLEM SOLVED

Workshop one (‘Know Yourself: Get Career Ready’) encourages students to consider what career options might best link to their personality type. Students also learn about a range of career options, some of which they may never have considered.

FACTOR 2 | FEEDBACK FROM TEACHERS

As part of the closing slides of our workshops, we used to flash up key websites that young people can use to support their career decisions. Teachers told us how valuable this information was but said there wasn’t enough time given for students to digest the information in a meaningful way, and/or for facilitators to demonstrate how the websites can help.

PROBLEM SOLVED

We created the ‘Research Your Options’ workshop (the second in the 3-part series). It’s devoted solely to students gaining the research skills they need to investigate their post-16 education and career options. Students are given the opportunity to explore a wide range of career websites, with the support and guidance of our facilitators who are there in the classroom. It’s so great to see students researching a wide range of topics, from further education options, right the way through to higher education and career pathways too.

FACTOR 3 | BUILDING ON EXISTING SUCCESS

It’s well documented that sustained and progressive outreach interventions involving multiple activities have a more positive impact on students’ knowledge and attitudes towards education compared to single or ad-hoc activities. We’ve seen this first-hand when we deliver Cosmos Engagement’s 3-part Marginal Gains programme. Seeing students on consecutive weeks means we’re able to build a strong rapport with the group, whilst supporting them to consolidate their learning.

WHAT WE DID

We built on this tried and tested model and developed our very own 3-part series: ‘Discover Your Career’. In particular, the third and final workshop of the series brings the key learnings together. We ask students to reflect on how their personal attributes could help them to achieve their future goals, whilst also considering how they could use these attributes when marketing themselves to prospective employers and further or higher education providers.

I have learnt how to explore what you would like to do. I also have learnt about different colleges and jobs. The most important thing you need is skills and kindness.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The ‘Discover Your Career’ programme helps students to become more self-aware about the skills and qualities they could harness in their futures. They’re encouraged to think holistically about the education and career options that are available to them.

Does this sound like something your students would benefit from? If so, you can find out more by visiting the events page on our website and clicking on the ‘workshops’ drop-down. Or, simply visit the ‘Discover Your Career Programme’ page directly to make a booking.

Tahlia Carr,
SUN Project Facilitator