News
A day with a difference: Empowering the next generation of digital talent
16 December 2024 • 4 min read
This year, AND Digital proudly worked with 500 students across six cities: Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Bristol, as part of BIMA’s Digital Day, which impacts over 5,000 students nationwide.
Together with other agencies, we helped inspire the next generation of digital talent, sharing information about AND Digital, our own journeys in tech, and engaging activities and practical challenges, which were set by industry leaders including Microsoft, Burberry and RSPCA.
In Bristol, Lydia Livingston (Experience Principal) and Lynsey Bridgewater (Client Services Manager) from AND Digital teamed up with Nasarat Khan (Group Head of Architecture) and Emma Clark (Head of Delivery) from our client Procentia, to visit Chew Valley school for a day with a difference, introducing students to the diverse and exciting careers in digital and tech.
Here's what they shared about the day, what they learnt, and why returning to school for the day was so important...
Making an impact
Q: What was the most rewarding part of participating in BIMA Digital Day?
Lydia: Spending the day with the students and seeing their creativity shine. For me, knowing that our time and experience could spark interest in a digital career made it incredibly rewarding.
Q: How did you and the team engage and inspire the students?
Lydia: We shared our personal career journeys, highlighting how diverse paths can lead to a career in digital. We encouraged them to ask questions, shared inspiring stories, and even ran interactive challenges. The AND mints were a small but surprising hit - they added a fun element that kept the energy high!
Q: Why is it important for AND Digital to support initiatives like this?
Lydia: At AND Digital, our mission is to close the digital skills gap, and initiatives like Digital Day are vital to achieving this.
The digital industry thrives on fresh talent and diverse perspectives, yet many misconceptions, like the idea that tech is all about coding, can deter young people from exploring these careers. Digital Day helps to demystify the industry and introduce students to the wide range of roles available, from design to strategy to innovation.
One teacher mentioned the ongoing challenge of inspiring girls to choose tech-based subjects. Being an all-women team on the day, we were proud to challenge those stereotypes and show that the tech industry is a place for everyone. By breaking down these barriers, we’re not just sparking individual inspiration, we’re contributing to a more inclusive and resilient digital future.
Q: Were there any standout ideas or moments?
Lydia: One group impressed us with their 'Homework Co-Pilot' concept, an AI-powered assistant designed to help students with homework without cheating. It was incredible to see how quickly they embraced AI, using it to bring their ideas to life visually and conceptually.
Client reflections
We were delighted to have Emma Clarke and Nasarat Khan from Procentia, one of our clients, join us for the day. Here, Emma shares her thoughts on the day's value and the impact we achieved:
Q: Why did you decide to get involved in BIMA Digital Day?
Emma: It seemed like a great opportunity to work with the AND team, provide some support, and offer insights to students exploring career ideas. It was a chance to give back while inspiring the next generation.
Q: What was your biggest takeaway from the experience?
Emma: Education has changed a lot since I was at school! It was fascinating to see how the teachers and students interacted and the tools they used. The groups worked exceptionally well together; they were confident, focused, and engaged with the challenges we presented.
Q: How does this event align with your organisation’s values?
Emma: One of our core values is: 'We are innovative and bold. We don't rest on today; we look toward what could be tomorrow.'
The students embodied this value by taking ownership of the challenges and coming up with innovative ideas, like a supermarket virtual reality experience to immerse customers, or reimagining classic designs to attract new markets. Their creativity was impressive!
Q: What do you think the students gained from this experience?
Emma: I hope we gave them an insight into the world of digital; that it’s not all about coding and requires a diverse range of skills to make everything work. I hope they now realise they have so many career options, and might be surprised where opportunities take them.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students about working in digital?
Emma: There are so many different roles, journeys and opportunities. Be bold, and don’t be afraid to try something different.
One day makes a world of difference
Whether it was the 'Homework Co-Pilot' AI concept, the supermarket VR experience, or simply the confidence students showed tackling challenges, Digital Day made a huge impact. Students left with a clearer understanding of the industry, the diversity of roles, and the exciting future awaiting them in digital.
If you'd like to get involved in Digital Day in 2025 please register here.
