Jessica Dunn: Give Young People a Chance

Wit + Grit

Wednesday, 20 May 2026 - 36 minutes

At 17, Jessica Dunn was trying to find work experience in media, marketing, journalism and radio. After around 10 rejections, she was almost left spending the week in the school canteen.

In this episode, Jess shares how young people are really feeling about work, careers, AI, grades, rejection and opportunity.

It’s an honest conversation about confidence, the gap between generations, and why businesses need to do more to open doors for the next generation.

Key takeaways

* Young people are anxious about future careers.

* Rejection damages confidence earlier than we realise.

* Many students need opportunity before they have experience.

* Businesses can help through tasters, open days and placements.

* AI is both exciting and unsettling for young people.

* Grades matter, but they should not define someone’s future.

* Investing in young people benefits everyone.

Keywords

Jessica Dunn, work experience, young people, next generation, careers, employability, AI, education, confidence, Birmingham, Wit + Grit, opportunity, youth voice, placements, business responsibility, future of work, social mobility.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Work Experience

00:55 Young People's Perspectives on Careers

02:18 Challenges Faced by Young People in the Job Market

04:25 The Role of Schools and Businesses

06:25 Future Aspirations and Advice for Peers

08:44 The Impact of Social Media on Young People

10:31 Parental Influence and Support

12:11 Conclusion and Reflections on Opportunities

13:47 Navigating Parental Relationships and Social Media

14:36 The Overwhelming Nature of Current Events

15:19 The Impact of AI on Education and Careers