"By engaging directly, professionals can demystify career pathways, share practical insights, and showcase the many ways creativity can lead to sustainable and fulfilling work."
An incredible line-up of industry professionals joined the Discover! Creative Careers Day at The Embassy Theatre in Skegness for 2024. The goal of the event was to ignite inspiration in aspiring creatives, showcasing the wide range of careers within the Creative Industries and the many pathways available.
Overview
Creative Careers Day: Inspiring the Next Generation
We were thrilled to welcome an incredible line-up of industry professionals for Creative Careers Day. Among them were Adam Perkins from Zest Theatre, Michael Hoyle from UK Events Crew, freelance writer and PhD student Sonya Hundal, and Katie Lou Green from Docks Academy. Additional insights came from Ella Townsend and Lauren Parker of the BFI, as well as Danielle Stoakes from Fantasy Island. Six schools participated, bringing together a total of 61 attendees.
The goal of the event was to ignite inspiration in aspiring creatives, showcasing the wide range of careers within the Creative Industries and the many pathways available. The Embassy Theatre in Skegness—steeped in history and dedicated to supporting the local cultural scene—provided the perfect setting. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with students valuing the opportunity to network and gain in-depth advice from established professionals.
The day kicked off with a welcome breakfast, giving students and industry experts a relaxed environment to connect. This led into a dynamic panel discussion where speakers shared their career journeys, offering key insights and practical advice. After lunch, an industry speed dating session allowed students to engage in one-on-one conversations about their future aspirations. The day concluded with an open space session, where students developed five-year strategies to map out their creative careers.
The networking breakfast and speed dating lunch were designed to put students at ease, encouraging them to ask questions and build confidence in professional settings. The industry speed dating session proved particularly impactful, demonstrating that every creative professional starts somewhere—and that there are many different routes into the arts.
Overall, Creative Careers Day provided an invaluable opportunity for students to explore their futures in the creative sector, connect with industry leaders, and leave with a clearer vision of their next steps.
Number of young people reached:
61
Advice for similar companies/organisations:
For organizations planning similar Creative Careers events, I’d suggest engaging with students beforehand and co-creating the experience with them. This approach allows you to tailor each year’s event to their interests and career aspirations, making it more relevant and impactful. Avoid making sessions too lecture-style—our feedback showed that students prefer interactive, hands-on experiences. Focus on making the event fun, creative, and engaging, incorporating activities that encourage participation rather than passive listening. That’s our plan for next year: a more dynamic, student-led experience that truly resonates with those looking to break into the creative industries.
Can you tell us why you believe it’s important for industry to get directly involved in inspiring and informing young people about careers in the creative industries through projects like Discover?
Industry involvement in initiatives like Discover is crucial because it bridges the gap between education and the real-world creative sector. Many young people see creative pursuits as hobbies rather than viable careers simply because they lack exposure to real-life examples of paid opportunities in the industry. By engaging directly, professionals can demystify career pathways, share practical insights, and showcase the many ways creativity can lead to sustainable and fulfilling work. Seeing professionals who have turned their passion into a career helps students understand that creative careers are not just possible but achievable. Hands-on experiences and real-world connections can be transformative, giving young people the confidence and knowledge to take their next steps in the creative industries.
