Careers Education and Wellbeing – Book Launch and Author Q&A

Description

Careers conversations are rarely just about courses, jobs or applications. They also communicate powerful messages about success, ambition, uncertainty and belonging. A well-intentioned phrase such as ‘keep every option open’ or ‘aim for the best university you can’ may motivate one student while increasing pressure on another.

In this practical webinar, Cliona McMenamin explores the ‘hidden curriculum’ of futures talk: the messages young people absorb through everyday conversations, school culture and the pathways we celebrate. Drawing on Careers Education and Wellbeing, she will show how small shifts in language and practice can reduce unnecessary pressure without lowering expectations, and help students approach their futures with greater agency, confidence and hope.

Key learning outcomes:

• Recognise how everyday careers messages can shape students’ ideas about success, ambition and what feels possible.
• Consider how the same message may be experienced by different students, particularly those who are anxious, uncertain or under pressure.
• Identify simple changes to language and practice that strengthen agency, belonging and confidence without lowering expectations.

Audience:

Careers leaders and advisers, heads of sixth form, pastoral and wellbeing staff, SEND/inclusion colleagues, tutors, teachers and school leaders involved in conversations about students’ future choices and transitions.

Author Bio:

Cliona McMenamin is Director of University Guidance and Careers at St George’s British International School in Rome and author of Careers Education and Wellbeing. A qualified career development professional with more than 20 years’ experience in education, she has held leadership roles across careers, sixth form and mathematics.Her work focuses on building whole-school futures provision that combines high expectations with student agency, inclusion and wellbeing, helping young people navigate choices with confidence and a genuine sense of possibility.