Hutt Valley High School recently held an Inspiring the Future event for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students across years 11,12 and 13. The students, who often have to navigate cultural and personal transitions, got to connect with professionals in the community who understand these challenges – and hear their stories and journeys.
Amanda Walters, Hutt Valley High School’s Careers and Employment Advisor, gave us a rundown on the event.
Why did you run an Inspiring the Future event?
We decided to host the Inspiring the Future event for our ESOL students because we wanted to create an opportunity for them to connect with real people in industry and get a better understanding of what’s possible for their futures. Often, career pathways aren’t that visible or accessible, especially for students who may also be navigating language and cultural transitions. We wanted to give them the chance to hear directly from panellists about their personal journeys and any barriers they overcame to achieve their goals.
Our goal for this event was to spark new ideas by showcasing a diverse range of role models and sectors that students may not have previously considered. We hoped that, by connecting our students with professionals that could speak authentically about their experiences, challenges and successes, we could inspire confidence and build a sense of belonging in our community.
Did you use the recommended event structure, or run it differently?
We followed the Inspiring the Future structure, ensuring students had an opportunity to ask questions during the guessing/panellist session, followed by the focus on real life stories from our panellists in smaller groups.
What was the best part of the event?
For us, the standout moment of the event was our students having the chance to engage directly with the role models in small groups. The shift from listening to sharing/engaging was powerful. We could see the students opening up and asking thoughtful questions and making real connections with our guests. Watching these genuine connections unfold was a reminder to us of why we make these connections to industry – it’s not just about showcasing careers but about building belief and belonging.
Tell us about the role models.
We had a mix of roles that added to the diversity of the event. The photographer and marketing executive demonstrated the power of visual storytelling and strategic thinking, while the police officer opened a window into service and civic engagement. Hearing from a non-government organisation (NGO) CEO and a Community Facilitator helped our students understand how lived experiences and compassion can lead to leadership roles.
Each of the role models brought a strong mix of authenticity, warmth and experience to our event. The photographer added a creative spark! She engaged students using props (cameras) and her obvious passion for her role, helping to remind our students that careers can be built on curiosity and excitement for an industry. The NGO CEO wove together a story of personal challenges and showcased a journey into leadership through community work.
How did your students benefit?
Our students benefited in several ways from us hosting this event.
They made personal connections to the role models. Meeting them face to face helped our students to see the real people behind the job titles who have navigated challenges to achieve their goals.
Having small groups was a game changer for our ESOL students. It boosted their confidence to ask questions and share their own thoughts. They didn’t need to worry about whether they were using the correct language or words as they were in the company of other students who also had English as a second language.
The most important thing for us was that this event helped our students to realise that their voice, background and perspective matter. Despite their challenges navigating language and cultural transitions, the event helped to reinforce the idea that they have a place in New Zealand’s future workforce.
What would you say to someone who is on the fence about running an event?
If you’re unsure, think of it as a chance to bring real stories into your classroom, not a formal careers talk. It gives students the space to connect with role models in a way that feels real and authentic, not just aspirational. What makes it work well are the conversations between students and role models rather than presentations. It suits those students who are not overly confident or comfortable asking questions in large settings, so every student feels they have participated. We feel like we planted seeds of curiosity into careers that are going to continue to grow in the future.
Keen to host an Inspiring the Future event for ESOL students at your school?
Inspiring the Future is a free programme for schools – all the resources needed to run an event are provided. However, Hutt Valley High School used funding from the Ministry of Education ESOL Community Programme Initiatives Funding for things like relief teacher cover to help run the event.
Talk to the Inspiring the Future team for more information about this funding.