Over the years I have worked with a number of young people who are dismayed with the “life” that the 21st century seems to present them with. The popular modes of consumption, consumerism and culture, supported by the 9-to-5 of work, for whatever reason doesn’t resonate with them, or they see little point, sense or hope (depending on their starting point).
What can we do when the life we want doesn’t seem possible, or we don’t see the life we yearn for in the world around us? I have one friend, who is into his music, who jokes he wishes he was born seventy years ago instead of now, as life was different. Not just because Bowie would have been in his prime when my friend would have been in his twenties, but because the nature of existence (in my friend’s eyes) felt different. As an analogue child who grew up to live in a digital world, I empathise with his pain.
There is a danger in careers work that we ride the status quo of pathways and possibilities. For example, if a student wishes to be a photographer the easiest thing to do is to reach for courses on Photography or Art or Apprenticeships or formal Higher Education led pathway for clients who wish to take this route.
“Other view thinking” can help us, by considering what is possible and guarding against self-limiting beliefs. What about being self-taught (perhaps developing skills on a gap year or alongside a regular job), learning via mentorship, or work-based-training through informal routes… just learning on the job? These are equally valid ways to get to the same end goal and, for some clients, less costly and more able to fit within their means or circumstances; particularly if they are adults who have other commitments or responsibilities.
It is this thinking that reminds us that, first and foremost, we are guidance professionals, not course advisers; it is a distinction we must be aware of in what we do and the questions we ask ourselves and our clients.
“Other view thinking” is something traditionally (as career development professionals) we use when helping clients to explore “jobs” within career sessions. We can support clients who are stuck by helping them to see other ways to succeed, through helping them to consider other ways to be. For those clients who don’t see the life they wish for around them or feel that modern life is rubbish. Helping them to discover what is possible can be a real eye-opener.
Marian Wright Edelman says “you can’t be what you can’t see” (which, Kasey Champion argues could be re-framed to “you can’t be what you can’t dream”) – a saying that often refers to choice of career yet, can also apply to choices of life.
Helping clients to discover and dream of the myriad different ways we can live and be – through helping them prioritise what is important to them within this – is a useful approach (before even considering routes to get there and what skills and qualities they may need).
As an example, I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by a wonderful pluralistic family which crosses social distinctions, as well as having friends living lots of different lives. I have around me those who lead very traditional lives and others who, by the standards of mainstream society, would be considered outliers or unconventional.
From living on boats, to tiny homes, through to those who choose to continue to travel as a life choice. There are those who choose to live off grid and those seeking to not use modern technology at all. Those who seek a minimalist panacea enabled through modern technology (disposing of all their analogue tech), to those who are happy to work less, to be able to live more… and all those life choices in between! I am happy for each and every one, as they seek to live lives which are true to themselves.
For many, their distinction between the work they do, how they choose to live and their values is interwoven. Some abstain from travel by plane due to the concern of environmental impacts and only attend conferences virtually; whereas others will fly, but then look at carbon off-setting schemes to find balance.
Some would call themselves solar-punks and others would consider themselves to be environmental activists; a few would consider themselves to be hippies! Whatever they choose to call themselves, they are often living lives that others (seeking to find their own ways to live) may not know is possible or know how to get to.
As career development professionals, we ought to consider carefully how we share with and show our clients what is possible. Do we collude with the status quo or do we show the depth and breadth of what is possible? These are ethical choices all of which link to our CDI Code of Ethics.
Consider:
- If you are a career development professional or career leader working in a mainstream school, do the displays or presentations you provide in your school only show what could be considered regular or mainstream jobs and life choices?
- Do your guest speakers represent what is possible locally and nationally, or are they all white, upper-middle class from ‘professional’ jobs?
- Is there a bias towards a particular type of work, such as STE(A)M?
- Are all subject areas equally supported, valued and represented in discussions?
- Is more time spent (and therefore more value placed by the institution) on supporting or promoting one type of choice over others (such as 6th form pathways or applying to university)?
- Are gender, racial, disability and class-based stereotypes challenged through representation and discussions?
- Are protected characteristics discussed, or is there only tokenism and a nod to these?
- Are displays inclusive and accessible for all? For example, can students in wheelchairs see that poster you put up, or is the notice board too high for them?
Going forward:
- Is there a bias towards traditional life choices?
- Are a range of different ways to live shown?
There is a risk in how we provide careers information, that we reinforce traditional stereotypes and do not consider how we represent a balanced view of how we can live… of what is possible. How do we show the beauty and the range of what is possible within the settings within which we work; the infinite diversity in infinite combinations?
For example, in one school I visited, many of the young people believe that the majority of people go to university after choosing 6th form, as that is the view which the school talks about (and thereby values) the most. Many are shocked to discover there are far more choices and possibilities available to them; not just pathways, but also different ways in which they can choose to live.
Challenging gender stereotypes and not promoting one opportunity over another is part of our CDI Professional Code of Ethics. I would argue that this should also relate to choices of how we choose to live.
In line with our ethics, we should not intend to promote one way to live over another, but help clients explore what is meaningful for them in how they choose to live, if part of their barriers to moving forwards relates to this.
This can be as broad as we wish to make it.
In recent years as a profession, we have created more opportunities to include positive role models in the work we do; whether related to those who have a disability (including neurodivergent individuals) and LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. Could our next step be considering how we create opportunities to show the different ways in which people choose to live?
I will leave you with a case in point.
Last summer, I met a countryside ranger maintaining footpaths in Scotland. Being a curious Career Development Professional, I asked her about her work and she explained how the trust places workers like herself up in (paid for) Trust accommodation, as they move from one mountain to another to work on footpaths. Her life could be considered unconventional, yet she was full of joy in what she did and how she chose to live.
A few weeks later, I was talking to a young person in school interested in working outdoors; who had no idea that what she (the ranger) did was possible. I shared the story of the ranger and his eyes lit up and he became full of hope… he could see a broader life choice, beyond just the job, which resonated with him and felt possible.
We have power in what we do and with that comes great responsibility. If we don’t use that to show our clients and especially our young people what is possible, are we missing more than just a trick; are we missing the chance to change a life?
What will you do to show your clients what is possible?
© Chris Targett, May 2026
The views expressed in this article are entirely the authors and do not necessarily express those of his employer.
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