7th March 2025 TTF share their career reflections for National Careers Week
National Careers Week is a time to reflect on the diverse paths that lead us to where we are today.
Working with thousands of industry volunteers every year, we know that careers rarely follow a straight line. And at 14, many of us at The Talent Foundry had very different ideas about what we wanted to do.
Some of our team knew exactly where they wanted to end up, while others took unexpected detours that shaped their futures.
Here’s a look at how our career aspirations at 14 compare to where we are now.
Kristina
I had no awareness of the charity sector as a potential career path
“In Estonia, we underwent career assessments, and I was advised to pursue IT due to my strong Maths skills - despite not enjoying Computer Science. My aspiration to become a flight attendant was discouraged and was perceived as a predominantly male profession. I also explored archaeology due to my passion for History, but adults discouraged me, citing concerns about work-life balance - reinforcing gender-based stereotypes that it wouldn’t align with traditional family roles due to frequent work travel.
"Moving to the UK gave me the opportunity to volunteer, something that wasn’t as developed in Estonia at the time. This exposure introduced me to the third sector, inspiring me to pursue a Master’s in the field and ultimately build a fulfilling career within the charity sector. Interestingly, I did briefly work in IT, supporting the CEO of a start-up - the career I was originally advised to follow - but it was the only role in my career history I never truly enjoyed.”
Sarah
I desperately wanted to work in football but was advised to join the Army
“I went on my work experience there for a week, and I knew I didn’t want to do it. I persevered and got a job with the County FA. I was a coach and eventually worked for UEFA - so I got there, and not via the Army.”
Sean
In just one year, I wanted to be a soldier, then a police officer, then a chef
“For some strange reason (given my age!) I do remember clearly what I was thinking about as a career in school. In just one year, I decided that I wanted to be a soldier, that changed to a police officer and then finally a chef (I can now just about manage fish fingers and oven chips). I went into a job that I absolutely didn’t want to… it ended up being brilliant and one of my favourites across my whole career.”
Susie
At 14, my Year 10 work experience was clearing tables and assisting kitchen staff in a local art café
“I quickly realised I was a people person and loved being in a busy, customer-facing environment. What I didn’t realise at the time was that a ‘Programme Manager’ was an actual job, or that charities did more than run shops where I could buy great quality second-hand clothes!”
Jenni
I was fully into my musical theatre era at 14 and wanted to study performing arts
“I hoped this would lead to a job in the theatre (daarhling). I tried through cold calling (no emails back then!) to get work experience in radio or TV, but with zero network, I ended up in a clothes shop. Whilst at university, I was able to get a summer placement at a production company and realised it wasn’t all ‘Ab Fab’ and was a bit lost, as what I had set my heart on, probably wasn’t for me.
"What I did find instead at university was that I loved being involved in the students’ union and ended up - in what I still believe is the best first job ever - at the National Union of Students, working on a project to support students with skills development. From there, I’ve not looked back and absolutely found my home in the third sector.”
Career journeys are rarely linear
At 14, many of us had little awareness of the breadth of career options available, particularly in the third sector.
National Careers Week serves as an important reminder that career paths are rarely set in stone. Sometimes, the unexpected twists lead to the most fulfilling destinations.
It's why we love working in partnership with schools and business to bring workplace skills and career experiences into the classroom.
We are currently recruiting to our team - visit our CharityJob site for more details.