How – and why – to create a student-led careers podcast

In the fast pace of the school year, even the most enthusiastic career counsellors know the struggle of fitting meaningful activities into students’ timetables. Inviting guest speakers to talk about their professions can be valuable but it often proves difficult: timetabling clashes, exam pressures and the logistics of hosting large cohorts all get in the way.

One way around this is to take the pressure off the timetable and create a student-led careers podcast series. Instead of inviting professionals to speak to a large group, they are invited for a conversation with one or two students who are interested in their field. These conversations are recorded, edited into podcasts or videos and then shared with the wider school community and beyond.

The podcast approach sidesteps many of the barriers that make careers talks difficult to organise. Rather than trying to coordinate a live event for large numbers of students, the focus shifts to a smaller, manageable interaction between the chosen guest and student/s.

The result is an engaging, flexible and highly effective way of connecting students with real-world careers insight.

How to set up a student-led podcast

The success of a careers podcast relies on careful preparation and support. Here are practical steps to guide you:

1. Select student hosts

Choose students who are motivated and articulate, ideally with a genuine interest in the guest’s profession. Hosting a podcast can be framed as an enrichment activity or a leadership role.

2. Prepare for the interview

Advise students to research the guest and draft thoughtful questions. Encourage them to consider current issues and practical insights, such as:

• What a typical day looks like
• Advantages and disadvantages of the profession
• Challenges and how to overcome them
• Relevant skills and how to build them
• How professionals deal with failure or setbacks.

If students are nervous, offer to sit in during the conversation and contribute a few supportive questions.

3. Encourage balanced conversations

Remind students not to treat the interview as a promotional talk. The goal is to uncover the realities of the profession, positive and less positive. Questions about work-life balance, long-term career prospects and changes in the sector can provide a more rounded view.

4. Consider technical issues

The set-up does not need to be complex. A quiet room, a smartphone or laptop with recording capability and some basic editing software are sufficient. 

5. Create a series

Rather than one-off conversations, consider developing a themed series. For example, invite professionals across STEM fields, creative industries or health and social care. Promoting the series to younger students can spark early thinking about career paths.

6. Share and promote

Once edited, the podcasts can be shared internally or made public via platforms such as YouTube or the school’s website. Advertising them on social media gives the project visibility and encourages engagement from students, parents and the wider community.

Benefits of a podcast for students and the school

The careers podcast model creates a ripple effect of benefits:

Student empowerment: hosting the interview boosts confidence, communication and employability skills.

Peer engagement: other students value hearing questions from someone like them, making the content relatable.

Access to diversity: podcasts can capture a broad range of professions, including unconventional pathways.

Longevity: unlike a one-time talk, recordings can be reused year after year.

Parental involvement: parents gain insight into current career trends and challenges through accessible recordings.

School profile: publishing the series demonstrates innovation and strengthens the careers programme’s reputation.

Why it works

Several factors contribute to the success of this model:

1. Student-led initiative

Students themselves take the lead by preparing questions and hosting the discussion. This provides them with valuable experience in communication, interviewing and networking. Their peers find the conversations more engaging because the questions are student-generated and often reflect what others are curious about.

2. Flexibility of topics and guests

Because the recordings don’t need to fit into a rigid timetable, it becomes easier to invite a diverse range of professionals. This opens the door to unusual or “squiggly” career paths that students might not encounter in a traditional careers talk.

3. Reaching a wider audience

A recorded conversation can be shared in multiple ways: it can be shown in subject classes, referred to during one-to-one guidance sessions or made available to parents. This multiplies the value of a single guest visit and extends the reach of the counselling team’s work.

4. Professional insight, on demand

Students gain exposure to current issues and advice directly from professionals. For example, topics such the role of AI in particular fields, changes in job structures or the skills most valued in the workplace can be explored.

5. Marketing and visibility

Schools can also promote podcasts through their social media channels or website. Not only does this highlight the careers team’s work but it creates a sense of pride and recognition for the students involved.

For career counsellors looking to enrich their programme without overburdening the timetable, a student-led podcast series offers an excellent solution. It combines professional insight with student ownership, creating a resource that extends far beyond a single conversation.

Most importantly, it reflects the changing world of careers education: flexible, creative and responsive to student interests. By giving students the microphone, you empower them to shape their own career journeys, while inspiring others along the way.