What 31 students from Barnet and Southgate College, Carshalton High School for Girls and Waltham Forest College discovered during our Taster Day last Thursday was the huge variety of people behind the platform.
Hosted at Tripadvisor’s London office, the day gave students the opportunity to meet professionals from across the business, explore different career paths and tackle a real-world creative challenge.
The morning began with speed networking, where 15 Tripadvisor volunteers shared insights into their roles, experiences and career journeys. Students heard from people working across law, HR, product marketing and more, gaining a valuable understanding of the skills and expertise needed to support a global organisation.
The conversations offered more than just careers advice. Volunteers spoke openly about the twists, turns and opportunities that had shaped their own careers, helping students see that there is no single route to success.
One student’s reflection captured the impact perfectly: “I realised now that it’s okay not to have it all figured out.”
In the afternoon, students were challenged by Tripadvisor’s Wanderlab team to create a pop-up experience in London that would bring a destination to life and inspire young travellers to experience it for themselves. Drawing on food, culture, music and local experiences, each team developed and pitched their ideas to an audience of around 50 people.
The challenge showcased the creativity, confidence and fresh thinking young people bring when given the opportunity to tackle a real business brief.
It also highlighted something equally important: the value of bringing employers and young people together.
While students gained insight into the world of work, Tripadvisor colleagues gained a valuable perspective on the next generation. Through conversations and presentations, they heard directly about the ambitions, motivations and challenges shaping young people’s lives today, while seeing first-hand how they approach creativity and problem-solving.
That spirit of mutual learning made the day particularly special.
Working Options would like to thank Rachel Vardon, Kary Yeung, Oliver Presswell, the Wanderlab team and all 15 volunteers who gave their time to support the students. Their enthusiasm, honesty and generosity created an experience that left young people feeling inspired, informed and more confident about their futures.
By opening its doors and sharing the people behind the brand, Tripadvisor helped make careers feel more real, relatable and reachable for the next generation.
