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This article is part of our Opinions section, where we invite industry professionals to share their views on the most pressing technology questions of our time.
In an age of disruption, uncertainty, and rapid change, the next generation of workers and those looking to change careers are navigating a more complex world of work than ever before. Questions about career paths, purpose, and personal identity intersect with evolving industries, emerging technologies, and global challenges.
While HR and careers leads in schools and colleges work hard to support young people in their journey, there’s a powerful and often underutilised force that can help accelerate their growth and confidence: the everyday employee.
You don’t need to be a CEO, a hiring manager, or a youth development specialist to make a difference. Every employee, regardless of title or tenure, has the power to shape the professional and personal development of the next generation. Here are four ways you can start doing just that.
Mentoring is one of the most effective ways to support young people entering the workforce. Traditional mentoring – where an experienced employee shares knowledge, advice, and support with someone earlier in their career – can offer invaluable guidance. Mentors can help demystify workplace culture, provide feedback on goals and performance, and share hard-earned lessons from their journeys.
But mentoring doesn’t need to be one-directional. Reverse mentoring is equally powerful, where younger employees or students share their perspectives, digital fluency, or cultural insights with more experienced professionals. Not only does this create space for fresh ideas and intergenerational learning, but it also models humility and adaptability – traits critical in today’s workforce.
Mentoring does not need to be done through formal company programmes; it can be done through informal coffee chats. Showing up as a mentor (and a mentee) can spark confidence in young people and reaffirm your sense of purpose and growth. Mentors need not be with strangers; there are those in your network, family, family friends, and neighbours who can take on a mentor/mentee relationship.
You can talk to your HR department about opportunities to be a mentor in your own company, or you can approach a school or college to find out how you can help. There are so many students who could benefit from a mentor, and you will benefit too.
We often ‘filter’ our journeys, skipping over the doubts, detours, and failures that ultimately shape us. But for young people, hearing real stories is not just reassuring – it’s vital.
If you’re invited to speak at a school assembly, career day, or student event, resist the urge to give a polished ‘TED Talk’ or corporate aesthetic version of your life. Instead, be honest. Talk about the jobs you didn’t get. The courses you didn’t pursue. The pivots you didn’t plan. Sharing your real path, with its twists and uncertainties, allows young people to explore and change direction. With 14% of sixth form students* expressing fear that they will regret their decisions and not make the most of their potential, it’s essential to understand that success is rarely linear.
You don’t need to be a professional speaker to make an impact. A five-minute story about how you navigated a tough decision or overcame a failure can stay with someone for years. Authenticity always resonates more deeply than perfection.
Retaking the first year of the sixth form was a pivotal moment for me. At the time, I felt like a failure, that my entire life trajectory would be negatively impacted. Building resilience, being kind and honest about how much work I had put in the first time, and the extra year in the sixth form, laid the path for me to become someone who looks for the opportunity in everything. It helped me to understand how I learn and how best to apply myself.
Every time I talk to young people, I mention this part of my life ladder, and without fail, at least one person talks to me about it, their fears, their worries, but how grateful they are to know it might just be okay. I am not a professionally trained speaker, counsellor, or speaker, but my story is making a difference, as I believe everyone’s can.
Social media is often dominated by highlight posts: promotions, awards, speaking gigs, and success stories. While there’s nothing wrong with celebrating wins, this type of content can feel alienating to someone just starting out, especially if they’re unsure how to begin.
Consider how your posts could become more instructive rather than just impressive. What did you learn preparing for that keynote speech? What advice would you give someone trying to break into your field? What do you wish you knew five years ago?
Posting behind-the-scenes insights, mini career lessons, or practical guidance helps demystify professional success and makes your online presence a resource for learning. You don’t have to become an influencer – just a little more intentional. A short LinkedIn post or Instagram story that offers a real takeaway can make a surprising difference to a curious, aspiring young professional.
One of the biggest myths that young people internalise is that everyone ahead of them has it all figured out. The truth? Most of us are still working it out, one step at a time.
Being open about your ongoing learning, career changes, or even uncertainties helps normalise a more dynamic view of success. Being approachable – whether that’s answering questions during a school visit, replying to a DM from a student, or just sharing a post about something you’re still learning – chips away at the idea that experience equals perfection.
Recently, when I talked to a group of master’s students from the University of Galway, I shared that finding a role is hard. Introducing visa requirements for international students makes it even harder, despite many industries calling out for talent. I led an honest panel discussion with those in their early careers, covering everything from how to network without seeming ‘needy’ to the fact that some people are just going to ghost you when you ask for help, and that’s okay.
Being human in professional spaces doesn’t diminish your credibility – it enhances your relatability. That relatability can be a powerful connector and motivator for young people trying to find their place.
Supporting the next generation doesn’t require a formal role or a massive platform. It requires intention, empathy, and a willingness to share what you know and who you are. When employees take the time to mentor, tell their stories, share real insights, and show up authentically, they help light the path for those who follow.
If everyone could find the time to help one young person, many fears about the future could be allayed. And perhaps, in the process, you will rediscover the power of your journey.
*In the UK, “sixth form” refers to the final two years of secondary education, typically for students aged 16-18
