Shaping Futures: Exploring the Factors Behind Children’s Career Choices – Webinar with Open Kids Africa

Our session  “Shaping Futures: Exploring the Factors Behind Children’s Career Choices” brought together Becky Patel (Head of Education at Tech She Can) and Regina Nkenchor (Founder of OpenKids Africa) to share insights from both the UK and Nigeria, highlighting the shared challenges and opportunities when it comes to inspiring young people to consider careers in technology. 

In a world of ever-growing software and programs, Regina noted that “you really don't need to be within the four walls of a classroom to get access to technology”, and this session highlighted how you can have a pathway into tech, no matter what your background is. 

We delved into the differences and similarities of these influences, using Tech She Can’s experience in the UK, and OpenKids Africa’s background in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.  

Becky and Regina had an insightful conversation about the current career choices children are making, and some of the perceptions children have on specific roles and industries. The main influences both in Africa and the UK discussed were:

Family and Cultural Influence
Family and culture play a huge role in shaping children's views on careers. In both the UK and Nigeria, there’s often a strong preference for careers seen as stable or prestigious, like medicine or law, while tech can still feel unfamiliar or uncertain to some parents - something Regina herself experienced as a young teen. 

Reaching parents is a challenge, especially those not working in tech themselves. That’s why Tech She Can and OpenKids Africa run parent workshops and twilight sessions to help families better understand tech careers and their relevance in today’s world.

Personal Interests and Passions
Children’s hobbies and interests can be powerful indicators of future careers. Whether it’s storytelling, gaming, or art, these passions often link closely to roles in tech. We know children have aspirations that they can tangibly see in their day to day lives, but very few envision a career in tech. Becky noted that “there is no wrong career choice, and we’ll never discourage a child from what they want to do, but we will always try to showcase the pathways available to them”. 

At Tech She Can, we’re working to show that tech isn’t just about coding,  it’s also about creativity, communication, and problem-solving. Through cross-curricular learning and real-life role models, we help children see how their unique interests can lead to exciting and rewarding tech careers.

Socioeconomic Status
Access matters. Children in areas with fewer resources often have limited exposure to the world of work, especially tech. If you’ve never met someone in the industry or left your town, it’s harder to imagine these roles as possible. 

That’s why both charities focus on children in areas that need us most, and provide experiences that broaden their horizons. We’re also passionate about highlighting alternative routes into tech such as apprenticeships and vocational training, so that financial barriers don’t close the door on potential.

About OpenKids Africa:
OpenKids Africa is a non-profit organisation dedicated to bridging the digital divide by providing free, high-quality technology education to children in rural African communities. Through partnerships with schools, governments, and industry, they deliver tech lessons and resources, aiming to empower every African child with the digital skills needed for the future. 

Help us shape the futures of young people in tech
If today’s conversation resonated with you, whether around shifting perceptions, connecting passions to careers, or tackling inequality in access; there are several ways you can support our work.

Become a Tech We Can Champion and help us inspire children directly, join us as a strategic partner organisation to expand our impact, or simply get in touch to learn more about how we’re working to change the narrative around tech careers — for every child, everywhere.