Why attend a careers fair

I’m not a careers adviser, but I can coach people to find out what they’d like to do and how they’re going to get there – what their passion are, for example, what they enjoy doing. It certainly help unpick some of the worries and ease uncertainties about future plans. It gave me the chance to talk to the young people about the challenges they face in different areas of their lives. We went into some depth about fixed and growth mindsets and the differences these can make, even at a young age.
It was also good to hear about their goals and to highlight how their hobbies will give them transferable skills for both school life and beyond. It might be obvious to us that training to be in a team or individual sport means you have discipline, but sometimes this needs to be pointed out.

There were many different organisations at the careers fair – the Army, a GP practice, finance businesses, legal firms, universities and colleges and other business services. Speaking directly to businesses and to business owners gave the young people a chance to see that not only is there a myriad of choices available to them, but they too could start their own business.
For example, I was able to explain that my experience and knowledge of ADHD and dyslexia made me want to become a coach so I could help others who’d been through a similar situation. I already had another career so I retrained and found myself submitting essays aged 60 – a long way out of my comfort zone and something I’d never imagined doing when I left school. This message also highlighted how learning doesn’t have to stop and that going down one career path doesn’t close doors to others.

Attending this careers fair was so uplifting. Not only did I feel like I was giving something back to the community, but I sensed I was genuinely making a difference. Talking to someone, especially someone not involved in your day to day life, is valuable in helping you work through things. We all get stuck from time to time and this wreaks havoc on our mental health as it constant preys on our minds. But having a conversation can bring clarity, relief and an objective viewpoint.
If any one of the young people I spoke to at the careers fair came away feeling a bit clearer or more reassured about their future, I consider that a success. Already looking forward to the next one!