Preparing Girls for Success: School and Career Readiness

Ask your child what their dream job is

And don’t just ask them once, ask them often. As children grow, so too do their passions and interests. When your child names a role, explore that with them: They want to be a marine biologist? Okay. What skills does that require? Why does that excite them? How can you help them learn more? Are there any books you could pick up from the library on this subject? By engaging on this level, you are saying “great, you can do this” and encouraging their belief. If their passions change, don’t let your enthusiasm drop. Most likely, you’ll identify common threads: perhaps all the roles mentioned involve using technology or solving problems. These are skills you can nurture in other ways.

Arm them with the tools they need to succeed

Given the clear demands girls are making for their education, it is perhaps not surprising that despite their wishes for the curriculum, they back their own abilities: 83% of girls believe technology lets them learn whatever they want, and 72% have confidence in the future and believe they have the means to succeed.

Gen Z and Alpha are true digital natives, and they understand the power of technology. Where the curriculum isn’t meeting their needs, consider seeking out apps, games and resources that will. Self-guided study is a powerful tool and encourages independence and curiosity. Some great free tools are Seneca Learning, YouTube classes or even simply your local library.

Another option is to explore tutoring as a means to nurture interests and passions that are not on the curriculum or are not covered as often as your child would like. If your daughter is a budding scientist, consider finding her an inspiring science tutor to dig deeper into the topic with.

Explore what is next for education

The way children learn now is not dissimilar to the way we learnt at school; however, the tools available to us have evolved rapidly. We have the ability to harness AI, VR and the metaverse to truly tailor the education experience. This means that children can learn at the pace that works for them, and that we can really foster the practical skills that allow children to apply their learning to the world they are living in. Maths class will still teach arithmetic, but in VR, it is taught in a simulated environment – a shop perhaps, or a boardroom.

Being vocal about our wants and needs for our children’s’ education is important. Schools often see the potential in new technology, but are unable to implement it due to lack of funds or resources. Explore the role you can play in driving this change.

Ensure children have role models

The importance of someone to look up to should not be underestimated, and teachers are a driving force here: 76% of girls believe they have inspiring role models around them. This is important and exciting. It means that over three quarters of girls see potential in those around them.

The future is bright, and I’m excited to see this generation thrive. If there is one final takeaway I can share, it is that in order to ensure women achieve their dream role, we should listen to the demands of students and invest more in education. In doing this, we are investing in all women.