Education has many objectives, one is to prepare students for their future adult lives, a major part of this is their careers. Their educational journeys should prepare them to take advantages of opportunities, build hard and soft skills, and encourage resilience in the face of challenges and failures.
In terms of aims, education can be perceived as a means to an end or an end in itself. One example is social means, such as to prepare children to become adult citizens who can meaningfully partake in society and the economy. Another possible aim is individual development, valuing autonomy, democracy, and the ability to make well informed decisions. The aims of education are acted through the attitudes and beliefs of people in schools (both staff and students), the policies in place, and the culture that is present throughout the school, underpinned by the school’s values.
Students can be inspired by the subjects they are taught, seeing value in the knowledge they are gaining and the applicability to their lives and interests. Alternatively, they can be frustrated, lacking intrinsic interest in the subjects, and lacking choice in what they learn. Highlighting student autonomy and maintaining a child-centred approach can help pupils and students thrive in their education, motivating them to learn. Furthermore, when students are motivated by interest and enjoyment, they are more likely to make educational and career choices that bring them joy and fulfilment. Hence education should highlight what is meaningful in each subject, and where opportunities lie, allowing students to make heir own well informed decisions about their careers.
Our career posters can be displayed as a visual reminder for students to see the possibilities present within each of their subjects. Students can make links between current learning and future career opportunities, seeing the wide range of interesting applications in history, art, physics, and more. It can inspire students to work towards certain goals, imagine their futures, and find passion in their education.
Kiro Golias
Bibliography
The Purpose of education. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-purpose-of-education
Gill and Thompson, 2012. Rethinking Secondary Education: a human centred approach. Chapter 1: The aims of education. Available at: https://1fireplace.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/gill-and-thompson-2012-aims-of-education.pdf
The national curriculum in England. KS3-4. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5da7291840f0b6598f806433/Secondary_national_curriculum_corrected_PDF.pdf