Moments of choice
Using our research to support young
people’s career journeys
Tristram Hooley
THE
CAREERS &
ENTERPRISE
COMPANY
Our research
https://www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/research
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Overview
Moments
of choice
The
example of
university
choice
Integrating
this into
practice
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Overview
Moments
of choice
The
example of
university
choice
Integrating
this into
practice
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Young people talk… (1)
"I decided I wanted to [work in childcare] because I’ve always
been told how great I am with my little sister and brother…
people always tell me I want to be a nursery worker. I’ve just got
into it, I want to be it." Ellie, Year 9
What do you think about this decision?
What would you say/do?
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Young people talk… (2)
"This year’s been a lot about options, and what I’m going to take
next year. It has had a massive impact because you’ve got to sit
there and think, ‘What am I going to take?’ It’s made a massive
impact because it makes you think, ‘This is what I want to do
when I’m older’." Steve, Year 9
What do you think about this decision?
What would you say/do?
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Young people talk…(3)
"After [school], after college, university, I would like to take on
the career of becoming a dentist, it’s something I’ve always
wanted to do, it’s the only career choice I’ve ever wanted to do.”
Jacob, 15
What do you think about this decision?
What would you say/do?
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Type 1 and type 2 thinking
Which is the right approach for making career decisions?
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Rational decision making
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Behavioural models
2+2=?
4
System 1 – ‘going with your gut’
Fast, intuitive, powerful decision making
24X14=?
336
System 2 – ‘thinking it through’
Slow, clunky decision making for dealing with
unusual problems
Feed this
system
Think about
when to use
this
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Overview
Moments
of choice
The
example of
university
choice
Integrating
this into
practice
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Unistats
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LEO: More university earnings data!
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What are the rules of thumb?
• Graduate earnings go up and down with the economy.
• Some subjects pay more than others. So subject choice
matters.
• But there is also a big difference within subjects which may
reflect institutional choice, degree classification and individual
differences. So subject choice isn’t everything.
• Core STEM subjects including Maths, and Engineering &
Technology have been squeezed less than other subjects and
so may be safer choices.
• Some subjects have better short-term outcomes while others
are better long term bets (e.g. economics and maths).
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Overview
Moments
of choice
The
example of
university
choice
Integrating
this into
practice
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Dealing with ‘choice overload’
Increasing
engagement
• ‘Moments of
inspiration’
• Provide
opportunities for
career learning
• Experience counts
Reducing cognitive
load
• Less is more
• Improve
navigation
• Enhance
personalisation
• Provide support
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Information should…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Work with young people’s intuition
Encourage reflection
Be trustworthy.
Be personalised to the individual
Give young people agency
Break down big decisions into smaller ones
Be ‘just in time’
Helps influencers (teachers, parents or carers, careers
advisers)
9. Signpost actions
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In summary
Young people find career decision making difficult.
But there is lots that we can do to help them.
Information is important… but it is only part of the picture.
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References
Department for Education. (2016). Graduate outcomes:
longitudinal education outcomes (LEO) data. Available from
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/graduate-outcomeslongitudinal-education-outcomes-leo-data [Accessed 8th April
2017].
Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. London: Penguin.
The Behavioural Insights Team. (2016). Moments of Choice.
London: The Behavioural Insights Team.
The Careers & Enterprise Company. (2016). Moments of Choice.
London: The Careers & Enterprise Company.
The Careers & Enterprise Company. (2016). Response to Moments
of Choice. London: The Careers & Enterprise Company.
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Contact details
Tristram Hooley
Director of Research
The Careers & Enterprise Company
[email protected]
https://www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/research
Also at
http://adventuresincareerdevelopment.wordpress.com
@pigironjoe
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