With National Careers Week approaching Hannah and Lucy tackle the ever-important topic of careers education, exploring how schools prepare students for the future and what more can be done.How Well Does Careers Education Prepare Students?Some reflections on the outdated and often narrow careers advice many of us received in school—basic personality tests and rigid job categories that fail to reflect today’s diverse job market. As Hannah points out, many careers that today’s students will enter don’t even exist ... yet! What will AI bring to Careers Ed?The Role of Work Experience and Real-World PreparationOne of the biggest gaps in careers education is meaningful work experience. Schools need to help students gain exposure to industries they may not have considered. Hannah shares how a student discovered a passion for law simply by doing a work placement at a police station—something she wouldn't otherwise have thought about.They explore apprenticeships - an increasingly attractive alternative to university. With rising tuition fees and the appeal of earning while learning, students are looking for practical routes into careers that don’t leave them burdened with debt.The Reality of the Career Path – Rarely a Straight Line!Lucy and Hannah discuss how career journeys are rarely straightforward. Many students (and even adults) believe they must pick one career and stick to it forever, but the reality is that people change careers multiple times. Hannah shares her own path—from underwater videography to teaching—highlighting how diverse experiences can shape a fulfilling career. They also discuss how influencers and digital creators have reshaped career aspirations. While social media makes success look instant, the reality is far from easy. It takes years of dedication, resilience, and skill-building—lessons that should be emphasised more in schools.Breaking the ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ Careers MindsetA major issue with careers education is the outdated perception of what constitutes a "real job." Lucy recalls being told at school that students who didn’t take A-levels were "failures"—an attitude that still lingers in some schools. However, the job market is evolving, and creative industries, gaming, tech, and entrepreneurship are all valid and thriving career paths.Hannah emphasises the importance of teaching students key skills like resilience, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability rather than just focusing on specific job titles. Employers today value soft skills just as much as technical qualifications, so schools need to embed these into their careers education approach.Practical Resources for Careers EducationTo help educators make Careers Week engaging and meaningful, Hannah shares several fantastic resources:National Careers Week Toolkit – A free, comprehensive guide with activities, career profiles, and advice for students, teachers, and parents.BBC Bitesize Careers – Videos, podcasts, and guides covering a huge range of career paths.Gameplan by High Performance – A resource pack designed to help students develop resilience, motivation, and employability skills. With video lessons from well-known figures like Ellie Simmonds and Tom Grennan, it’s an excellent way to bring real-world experience into the classroom.Final Thoughts: Ultimately, careers education should be about expanding possibilities rather than narrowing them. Instead of pushing students into pre-defined career boxes, schools could help them explore their interests, build key skills, and adapt to an ever-changing job market. Lucy and Hannah encourage teachers to bring joy into careers education, challenge outdated stereotypes, and most importantly, help students believe in their potential.Stay Connected:🎓 More education discussions: Education Matters🎧 Listen on Spotify: Education Matters Podcast📷 Follow on Instagram: @edmatters4all📘 Find us on Bluesky: @edmatters4all.bsky.social🐦 Join the conversation on X: @EdMatters4All

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