The Department for Children, Schools and Families has launched an initiative on Facebook called ‘Guiding Lights’ that aims to inspire teenagers to see entry to a wide range of professions and careers as options that can be within their reach, no matter what their background is.
The Guiding Lights Facebook Fan Page gives teenagers who are trying to figure out a career path direct access to inspirational young role models working in a broad range of industries – from technology to social work, graphic design to motorsports engineering.
The Fan Page showcases stories from role models sharing the important advice and tips that helped them along in their chosen career. As well as reading these stories, young people can pose questions to role models to help them decide which profession interests them most.
Several celebrities including Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, world-renowned architect Lord Foster, designer of The Gherkin, and television journalist Donald Macintyre have also posted their stories and top tips on the site.
For a young person searching for answers or for someone who has already 'made it' and has a story to share or advice to give, there's a number of ways to get involved:
1. Become a fan of the Facebook Page here
2. Want to be a role model? Share your own story and become a Guiding Light for others.
3. Share and read industry insider tips on the Guiding Lights discussion boards here.
4. Tell all your friends, family and colleagues about Guiding Lights - spread the word and share the love.
