Thank you for sharing your context. I’m sure many can relate to the focus on STEM and challenge of demonstrating clear career pathways in SHAPE. Careers guidance for SHAPE falls behind that of STEM and is something we are keen to address. Each of the workshops has a final task orientated around a career for that reason.

For those who have a defined career path in mind, it’s helpful to highlight the complimentary skills that SHAPE subjects offer, whether that’s communication for doctors or creativity for computer scientists. For those who are unsure of their next steps, the flexibility in SHAPE subjects helps to keep doors open as they progress through their student journey. For both, it’s important to remember that most people change careers at some point in their working life so depth and breadth are both important.

Research suggests that SHAPE graduates are flexible and adaptable with their skills, resilient to economic upheaval and are just as likely to remain employed during downturns as STEM graduates. They are also more likely to switch jobs and achieve better outcomes when they do (https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications/skills-qualified-future-quantifying-demand-arts-humanities-social-science/).

Finally, SHAPE is part of everyone’s life regardless of the subjects they choose. For example, many musicians in amateur orchestras across the UK are doctors and accountants because exercising their creativity is vital to wellbeing and critical thinking. We need to help our learners see the broad application of SHAPE as a strength so that they do have clarity on what SHAPE means for them and their future.