Studies of Early Career-Related Learning in Primary Schools in Ireland

DATE: 30th January 2025

TIME: 14.00 -15.30 (GMT)

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OVERVIEW
The question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” has long been a staple of childhood conversations. But are we asking children the right question? Recent studies of early career-related learning in primary schools in Ireland suggest there may be more effective ways to nurture children’s aspirations and understanding of the world of work.

This webinar invites career development professionals, educators, researchers, and policymakers to delve into the findings and implications of these studies. Together, we’ll explore how early career learning can foster curiosity, broaden horizons, and promote inclusivity for children from diverse backgrounds.

SPEAKERS: Dr Deirdre Hughes OBE, Aisling Murray-Fleming (Programme Chair MSc / Grad Dip Guidance Counselling at Dublin City University & Doctorate student) and Nick Chambers (CEO, Education and Employers, London).

Aim

To explore the role and impact of early career-related learning in primary schools, encouraging reflection on traditional approaches and presenting innovative strategies for supporting children’s career aspirations.

Objectives

1. Examine Early Career Learning:
   Understand the key findings from recent studies on career-related learning in primary schools in Ireland and their implications for practice.
2. Challenge Traditional Approaches:
   Reflect on the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and its relevance to fostering meaningful career exploration for children.
3. Highlight Best Practices:
   Showcase examples of innovative programs and initiatives that successfully integrate career-related learning into the primary school curriculum.
4. Promote Equity and Inclusion:
   Discuss how early career-related learning can address stereotypes, broaden children’s horizons, and support diverse aspirations.

Who Should Attend:
This webinar is ideal for career development professionals, teachers, researchers, policymakers, and advisers working with young people in primary education and beyond.

Join us for an engaging session to rethink how we inspire and support the career aspirations of the next generation. Meanwhile, this open access article is available to readers anywhere in the world based on recent findings from Drawing the future: gender and future occupational aspirations of young children in Sweden – https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2024.1485425.