Push Talks

PUSH is the UK's leading independent guide for young people. Since 1992, we've been renowned for using the highest quality of outreach, telling it 'like it is'(backed up by informed research) and injecting unpatronising wit, humour and energy into what is all too often seen as a dry subject. Our advice site (Push.co.uk), youtube channel 'Push Talks' and award-winning live sessions help us fulfil our social mission to inspire as many students as possible to make exciting informed choices for their futures, whilst developing employability for the 21st century world of careers. We work with various Uni Connect hubs (part of the OFS's initiatives to boost access to higher education), WP and outreach teams at HEIs, and we've worked with employers (KPMG) on their recruitment activities for UK school leavers. Every year we visit 100s of schools, colleges and universities and help of students clue-themselves up and make informed choices about their futures. Our interactive sessions for students in year 9 to year 13 focus on 4 key areas- making proactive choices (at 16 and 18)- developing employability (becoming a rounded person / selling oneself)- effective learning (study skills & revision techniques)- reframing failure - public speaking training (developing soft skills from our presenters who moonlight as professional comedians) PUSH were the first organisation to research and publish university drop out rates in the UK. We then launched a hugely popular set of books on university choices and student money. Our approach centres on a mix of evidence-based expertise in careers education balanced with a unique high-energy delivery style involving comedy, stories and a sense of entertainment to make young people feel, and feel like they want to be in the room making proactive choices (not reactive ones) about their futures. Our Chief Executive has written various papers on student choice, and employability, for HEPI (Higher Education Policy Institute).