Uptree

As Stress Awareness Month approaches, it is important for employers to become familiar with some of the challenges that young people face as they navigate their early career. Our 2022 student survey found that young people are often faced with a range of stressors, from uncertainty about their future career prospects to anxieties about their industry knowledge.

According to our 2023 student survey, many young people still lack a complete understanding of their career opportunities. Additionally, the survey found that a lot of the students are stressed about their career future. These findings highlight the importance of employers taking an active role in supporting young people and providing the guidance and support they need.

“I feel uncertain about whether I am on the right path to achieve my career.” - Student, 2023

We’ve identified 5 ways employers can help young people feel less stressed about their career future after leaving school:

Training and development opportunities

Employers can support young people who are looking for non-traditional career pathways by providing them with training and development opportunities that will help them build the skills and knowledge essential to their chosen field.

Opportunities such as apprenticeships and work experience events can equip young talent with the necessary tools to navigate the job market. By offering such programmes, employers will be able to reduce stress and build confidence in their future workforce. Moreover, by helping young people to face these challenges and overcome them, employers will be able to alleviate young people’s anxieties and promote a culture of ongoing learning and development.

Finally, young people need to receive adequate feedback and guidance throughout this process in order to take advantage of these opportunities effectively.

Healthy workplace culture

In addition to training and development opportunities as ways of reducing unnecessary stress for young people, employers can also foster a sense of belonging and community within the workplace. Choosing a career path can be overwhelming, especially for young people who may be entering an industry or workplace culture for the first time. By providing a warm and welcoming onboarding experience, assigning mentors or buddies to new hires, and promoting a supportive and inclusive environment, employers can help reduce stress and build confidence amongst young people.

Example: A company might assign a mentor to a new apprentice who is just starting out in the industry. The mentor can provide guidance and support as the new hire navigates their new position, answering questions, providing feedback, and helping them develop their skills and knowledge.

Flexible work arrangements

Flexible work arrangements can also help young people manage their stress levels. Many young people are juggling multiple commitments such as school, family, or personal pursuits, and without proper support, this can lead to stress and burnout. By offering flexible work arrangements such as remote work, flexible hours, or flexible work locations employers can help reduce this stress and promote a healthier work-life balance for their Early Careers employees. Our 2022 Student survey results also show that young people are more likely to work for a company if it offers flexible working.

Careers support

For those who may be considering an internship, offering work experience days can be a great way to provide hands-on experience and help them develop their skills and knowledge. By offering these opportunities, employers can help young people gain insights into different industries and roles, whilst also providing a supportive and welcoming environment for them to learn and grow.

Attending career fairs such as FuturesUP, allows employers to meet young people and introduce them to their company culture, their opportunities for progression and sheds light on their industry.

Example: A company might offer work experience days to students who are interested in pursuing a career in their industry/sector. For example, if a young person joins a law work experience day, they can hear from other employers within the company, join office tours and Q&As in order to learn about the day-to-day activities of working in this kind of organisation.

Moreover, a firm might offer a career guidance programme that helps young people explore different career paths and gain insight into various industries. This programme could include workshops, networking events, and mentorship opportunities that provide guidance and support to young people as they navigate their career options. Another way companies can support young people is by working with third-party organisations like Uptree, to provide students with bite-sized lessons teaching them more about the world of work.

Inclusive language and social engagement

Taking into consideration that young people are transitioning from a more relaxed and informal environment to a professional setting, the language used in the workplace can have a significant impact on their overall wellbeing. Inclusive language acknowledges and respects diversity, and it fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion among employees. Employers can promote inclusive language by encouraging the use of gender-neutral language in all communications, avoid using business jargon too much and can also provide training for employees on the importance of open and respectful dialogue about diversity and inclusion.

Another critical aspect of young people’s wellbeing in the workplace is social engagement. Social isolation can lead to loneliness, anxiety, and depression, which can significantly impact mental and physical health. Employers can help to reduce social isolation by creating opportunities for young people to connect with their colleagues and build relationships.

For example, they can offer social events outside of work hours and encourage collaboration and teamwork on projects. Social events can include sport competitions between different teams within the organisation, monthly pub quiz experiences or interactive gallery visits. Organisers should try to diversify the type of events they plan throughout the year, and keep in mind the different types of personalities that work at the company.

To conclude, Stress Awareness Month serves as a reminder to employers that young people face unique challenges as they navigate their early careers. In order to reduce stress and build confidence amongst young people, employers can offer training and development opportunities, foster a sense of belonging and community, offer flexible working arrangements, conduct work experience days and workshops, and promote inclusive language as young people explore their career options. Investing in Early Careers employees to this level can help reduce stress and anxiety, as well as promote an inclusive, supportive, and learning-oriented workplace culture that people will want to stay in.

For further insights, see how the pandemic's affected young people's wellbeing.