The creative industries are a powerhouse of the UK economy, with more films now shot in the UK than in Hollywood (1). In 2023, the sector contributed around £124 billion in gross value added, equivalent to around 5.2% of the entire UK economy (2). It also provided approximately 2.4 million jobs which is roughly 7% of all UK jobs and is growing two to three times faster than the economy as a whole (2). For our students, this represents not just opportunity but real, sustainable possibility, showing that young women can thrive across the creative sector, including in areas where women have historically been underrepresented.
Yet the creative industries are about more than the numbers. They develop the very skills and qualities that underpin success and are highly valued by employers in any field: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, research, problem-solving and the courage to approach challenges from fresh angles. By supporting creative ambition, we give our students tools that can translate into any career.
As part of our Futures programme, this year’s inaugural Careers in the Creative Industries event was designed with that purpose in mind. The evening brought together professionals from film, media, design, fashion, music, broadcasting, architecture, animation and more. Our aim was simple: to open students’ eyes to the breadth and diversity of careers within the UK’s thriving creative sector and to show them that these are not niche paths, but influential, high-growth careers shaping the world around us.
For girls and young women in particular, creative education and exposure to varied role models is empowering. Research (3) consistently shows that when girls see women thriving in bold, imaginative careers, their own aspirations widen. The professionals who joined us at our event modelled exactly that. Their career paths were rarely linear. They spoke of learning on the job, building confidence, adapting, risk-taking and mixing skills. Their stories offered a real-world reminder that there is no single blueprint for success.
We also know that girls often underestimate their own potential, especially in industries that appear competitive or uncertain. Events like this give them the chance to ask questions, make connections and see that creative careers are not only possible, but sustainable, exciting and impactful. While most of our students choose the university route after leaving St Helen and St Katharine, others may pursue vocational training, apprenticeships or portfolio careers that combine several interests. What matters is that they feel equipped to follow their chosen path with knowledge, confidence and a spirit of curiosity, openness and willingness to explore.
Futures at St Helen and St Katharine is grounded in our expertise in advising and guiding young women, helping them shape and achieve their goals – whatever they may be. We remain committed to supporting every student as she explores her future, whether she becomes a software engineer, filmmaker, architect, animator, curator, journalist, designer, scientist, or discovers a passion she had not considered before. Creativity is not limited to the arts – it is a way of thinking that helps students come up with ideas, adapt quickly and find new solutions across any future career. Our Careers in the Creative Industries event celebrated that spirit of possibility and most importantly, reminded every student that whatever path she chooses, she can pursue it confidently, creatively and on her terms.
- Fawcett, Mark (host). “Art is Like a Shark: Creating a Career in the World of Art with Dr. James Fox, Art Historian and Broadcaster.” Careers Unwrapped, 22 April 2025 [Podcast]
- House of Lords Library, Creative industries: Growth, jobs and productivity, published 20 January 2025: https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/creative-industries-growth-jobs-and-productivity/
- Tal, M, Lavi, R, Reiss, S et al. Gender Perspectives on Role Models: Insights from STEM Students and Professionals. J Sci Educ Technol 33, 699–717 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-024-10114-y
