The recent careers day at Chancellor’s School in Brookmans Park, North London was a high-energy #futureofwork fest. Great questions and insight from year 12s on how they think skills, ways of working and physical workplaces are likely to evolve over coming years. And it was a pleasure to share my own 6 Top Tips for Navigating the Wild & Wacky World of Work…
I always start my sessions with some informal polling to see what the next gen really think about future jobs and careers. Here’s the feedback:
* Optimism gauge was high, with just over 70% of students saying they felt excited and optimistic about work and their future careers. Conversely, 30% said they mainly felt anxious and concerned. In most of the school talks I’ve given of late, it’s been closer to a 50/50 split. Positive vibes in the environs of Brookmans Park!
* Biggest sources of excitement? Earning money, being independent, doing interesting work, trying different jobs in various sectors and finding meaningful work were all up there. Common sources of anxiety? General lack of visibility of what jobs are out there and how to go about applying for them (and doing well at interviews) was top of the list.
* Over 80% of students believed that business was a force for good in society. But there is no doubt that the next gen will prioritise working for what they see as ethical employers! Taking stock of how representative employer organisations across the world can enhance business practices and ramp up the overall reputation of business will remain the focus of my project work with the International Labour Organization. BTW last year’s Edelman Trust Barometer showed that 76% of workers already trust their employer which is a pretty good base to work from!
* Around 25% of students said they were interested in starting their own business at some point in their career; and lots of interest in how to go about it. Quite a few year 12s already had some pretty clear ideas mapped out which was great to hear. Entrepreneurship is alive in kicking in this corner of Hertfordshire!
So, a high energy and enlightening day all round and a pleasure as always to join forces with ELSA Next Generation and local employers to spread the word. But equally important to use the day as a listening exercise and to reflect on what the next gen really think about the future of work and the unfathomable opportunities therein.
Building bridges in brookmans PARK
