As part of this year’s Brit Awards, sponsor Mastercard has launched a nationwide school outreach initiative designed to support students who are interested in a career in the creative industries.

Mic Drop Talks comes as new research from Mastercard reveals that 48% of young people aged 12–17 want to pursue a career in the creative industries. However, 39% of respondents are unsure about the careers available in this sector beyond being a performer, and around a third feel they’re not creative enough for the career path.

The research also found that children are most likely to let go of their creative career ambitions between the ages of 14 to 16, with 23% of adults admitting that their own career aspirations changed in their mid-teens to something more “realistic”. Even though parents tended to be supportive of their children’s creative ambitions, 27% of parents still feel it’s important for their children to have a backup plan, worrying about the financial challenges they might encounter with a career in the creative sector. This is despite the creative industries being a major employer in the UK and generating £125 billion for the UK economy in 2023.

The initiative aims to help younger generations explore the wide range of opportunities available in the creative sector.

Mastercard’s Mic Drop Talks will see music industry professionals – including IP lawyers, touring managers, artist coordinators, music journalists and more – visit four schools across the UK in the lead-up to the Brit Awards and beyond to inform and inspire students. These interviews will form part of a YouTube series that will be accessible by schools, educators and students across the UK.

Supported by singer-songwriter Ella Eyre and presenter and journalist Vick Hope, Mic Drop Talks was recently launched in north London at Kelmscott Secondary School, where the pair spoke to students about the many and varied career paths available to them in the creative industries.

Vick Hope said: “Inspiring the next generation is so important, and there is such power in really knowing your options, so I’m excited to be launching Mastercard’s school outreach initiative, Mic Drop Talks, showing young people across the country the many careers available in the music industry. The UK is bursting with creative talent, and it’s been incredible to hear the aspirations of so many students and help guide them to fulfilling their potential, particularly in areas that are less well advertised and to kids who may not have had much access to the arts – because the future really is in incredible hands.”

Ella Eyre added: “I’m honoured to be launching Mic Drop Talks campaign to help inspire the next generation of creative talent. It’s so important that young people are shown the options available to them within the industry, so they can see a path that’s right for them. I hope Mastercard’s outreach programme gives young people across the UK the confidence to pursue their passions and create their own path forward.”

Images: Mastercard