Helping young people navigate uncertainty

Purpose, emotional literacy & human connection

Schools today are seeing a growing number of young people struggling with uncertainty, not only about future careers, but about identity, confidence and belonging. In our work across wellbeing and purpose led career education, we’ve noticed the same thing: uncertainty is no longer the exception; it is becoming the norm.

And yet, uncertainty isn’t the problem.
The challenge is that many young people don’t have the language or tools to understand what they’re feeling, or the space to explore who they are becoming.

We often separate “careers education” from “emotional wellbeing”, but real young people don’t experience life in separate boxes.

When a pupil says, “I don’t know what to do next,” they are often also saying:
• “I’m not sure who I am yet.”
• “I don’t want to make the wrong choice.”
• “I’m worried I won’t cope.”

This is why emotional literacy and purpose-building need to sit side by side.

Emotional Literacy: The Foundation

Through Partnership for Children’s programmes, children learn to recognise feelings, name emotions, solve small problems, and build resilience. These skills are essential as pupils move through transition points, from primary to secondary, into GCSEs, and beyond. Emotional literacy gives young people the vocabulary to stay grounded during uncertainty.

Purpose & Career Identity: The Compass

Alongside emotional literacy, purpose focused career education offers a different kind of navigation.
Instead of asking the pressure-filled question, “What career do you want?”
We can ask:

• “What energises you?”
• “What matters to you right now?”
• “Where do you feel most like yourself?”

These questions help pupils explore identity, strengths and curiosity which are key ingredients for building long-term confidence.
When combined, emotional literacy and purpose create a powerful pathway for pupils:

• Language + identity
• Confidence + curiosity
• Wellbeing + direction

This doesn’t remove uncertainty; it makes uncertainty manageable.
Three simple strategies for schools:

1. Normalise ‘not knowing yet’
A single sentence such as “It’s okay not to know yet” can immediately reduce pressure.
2. Use small reflective pauses

Two minute questions at the end of a lesson can help pupils notice strengths, interests and feelings. This builds identity gradually.

3. Teach emotional vocabulary openly

Helping pupils name overwhelm, excitement, confusion or worry gives them agency over those feelings.

The Lab to Ed Leadership & Partnership for Children Perspective

When we weave wellbeing and identity into everyday practice, young people don’t just choose better pathways, they become more confident, connected and ready for the future.
This is the heart of our work at Lab to Ed Leadership, creating an ecosystem where emotional literacy, purpose and future skills work together to support the whole young person.
Alongside this, Partnership for Children’s approach brings the essential foundations of emotional literacy, resilience and healthy coping into the picture. Through practical, evidence based programmes, young people learn to recognise their feelings, name emotions, solve everyday problems and navigate change with greater steadiness and self understanding.

Together, these two lenses purpose-led identity work and emotional literacy for wellbeing, offer a powerful, human centred approach to supporting young people through uncertainty. Our joint work recognises that identity, confidence, belonging and emotional safety are deeply connected. When young people understand what they feel and who they are becoming, they move through life’s transitions with more clarity, curiosity and courage.

Join the Conversation

How is your school bridging the gap between wellbeing and careers?

We would love to hear the small “micro interventions” making a difference in your setting.

If you would like to continue the discussion, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below or tag us on LinkedIn. Your ideas might support another educator, school or young person.

The author

Jayne Carter

Jayne Carter is Programme Development Lead at Partnership for Children, where she develops resources and training that support children’s emotional literacy, resilience and wellbeing across the world. She has extensive experience in primary education, teacher development, and global wellbeing initiatives, and works with schools to embed emotional skills that help children thrive through change. Her book with Dr Poppy Gibson ‘Early Years Essentials’ is now available. Winner of ‘Literacy / Numeracy Blog of the Year’ at the 2019 Nexus Education Awards.

https://www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk/

The author

Geetika Goyal

Geetika Goyal is a UK based Science Educator, Author and Founder of Lab to Ed Leadership. Her work focuses on youth purpose, identity, curiosity led career learning and future ready skills. She is the author of “IDK My Career Yet and That’s OKAY”, a trustee for a Multi Academy Trust and a national music production charity, and host of the Lab to Ed Leadership Podcast. Geetika will be speaking at the Festival of Education 2026 on helping young people navigate career uncertainty.

http://www.labtoedleadership.com