Inspiring Students

I received an email from one of my high school art teachers to go back to my old school and talk to the current students about choosing a career in the creative industries. I'm starting to think now that maybe I am actually an adult...

I really think this is such a good idea and although I feel a bit apprehensive about talking in front of a group of teenagers I think it is actually really important that I do it. Through my school life, my art and design teachers were really encouraging and inspiring, however the school system in general was very much focussed on more academic career paths. The fact that I have received this email suggests that things might be changing, and I really hope they are! 

I feel like at the point where students are choosing their options for GCSEs and even A Levels, they are not fully informed about the potential job opportunities that would be available to them if they chose a creative route for their studies. I did choose the creative route because I knew it was what I wanted to do, although I must admit I wasn't too sure exactly what my job would be and my teachers still encouraged me to continue with my maths and science studies to the point where I was taking subjects at A level that I knew deep down I didn't want to pursue. So much more is done in schools to encourage students to concentrate on stem subjects like maths and sciences and I personally think it is wrong that every child seems to be pushed through the same production line that is our education system. Being creative is a real job and not just a hobby! 

I briefly spoke to John about this and he agreed that this would be a great thing to do. He also said about being the one to inspire someone else and this really resonated with me because I can't really imagine what that would feel like, I don't think its happened yet! Education is something I don't really want to get into as I have no desire to be a teacher. However, I do feel strongly about giving the arts the credit they should have within the education system so doing this talk/workshop will be the ideal way for me to do my bit for that. Who knows what might come out of it. 

Obviously I replied to the email saying yes and I am now trying to arrange a day around Christmas time for this to take place.