Cliona McMenamin, Head of Careers and Teacher of Mathematics at Dubai College, shares the importance of embedding well-being in careers education.

1) Start with Self-Discovery, Not Decision-Making

Most careers programmes jump too quickly to the “what” (university courses or job titles) before helping students understand the “who.”

When students explore their strengths, values and motivations first, they make more authentic and confident choices later.

By integrating reflection tools, personality frameworks and “career conversations” into tutor time or PSHE, we give students permission to see career exploration as part of their wellbeing journey, not a pressure-filled process.

Take 2) Make Wellbeing the Foundation, Not an Add-On

A student who is anxious, burnt out or comparing t ...