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By Gabriel and Jennifer, members of EY Foundation’s Youth Voice Forum (YVF), reflecting on the OffScript Generation Summit 2026
OffScript didn’t feel like a typical careers event. From the moment the weekend began, it was clear this wasn’t about rigid career paths or one size fits all advice. Instead, it was about preparing for a future that is changing fast, and learning how to navigate that uncertainty with confidence and community.
Saturday: Big Ideas, Real Skills, and Human Connection
Saturday focused on “Jobs of the Future” and set the tone with big, future facing questions. Sophie Hackford (public speaker and researcher into AI and other emerging technologies) opened the day by exploring whether we should view rapid technological change as future shock or future opportunity. Rather than reinforce fear driven narratives, the session encouraged curiosity, reminding us that the future isn’t something that simply happens to us, but something we can actively engage with.
This theme continued with sessions on AI and technology, including insights into how AI is already reshaping everyday tools and industries. What stood out wasn’t just the technology itself, but the emphasis on adaptability, that learning how to learn is becoming one of the most valuable skills of all.
One of the most impactful sessions for me personally came from Rabin Yaghoubi (Chief Corporate Development Officer at Aleph Group, Inc), who spoke about the power of relationships in the age of AI. His message was simple but powerful: “When competence is commoditised, relationships become your moat.” In a world where qualifications and technical skills are increasingly common, this perspective reframes employability entirely. It’s not just about being capable, it’s about trust, relationships, and how you connect with others. That insight carried through the rest of the weekend.
The afternoon moved into the creative industries, with speakers from media, photography, food, and digital content unpacking what it really takes to build a career in creative spaces. What made these sessions refreshing was their honesty. Careers weren’t presented as linear success stories, but as evolving journeys shaped by experimentation, setbacks, and persistence.
Alongside the talks, there were dedicated networking breaks, but these didn’t feel forced or transactional. Conversations flowed naturally, helped by the shared experience of learning together. The opportunity to take part in podcast filming and on-the-spot interviews added another layer, giving young people a platform to articulate their stories, reflect on their ambitions, and build confidence in their voices.
Sunday: Action, Entrepreneurship, and Doing
If Saturday was about ideas, Sunday was about action.
The focus shifted towards entrepreneurship, resilience, and navigating non-linear careers. Sessions explored how young people can use AI intelligently, build businesses, start side hustles, and adapt when plans don’t go as expected.
What stood out most was the honesty around failure. Rather than being framed as something to avoid at all costs, failure was discussed as a necessary part of growth, especially in a world where career paths are rarely straightforward.
Hearing directly from founders and operators who are “building things for real” made entrepreneurship feel more accessible. These weren’t abstract success stories, but grounded reflections on risk, uncertainty, and learning by doing.
The final panels brought everything together creativity, technology, entrepreneurship, and people, reinforcing that the future of work isn’t about choosing one path, but about building a toolkit that allows you to adapt as the world changes.
The biggest thing I learnt from the OffScript Summit was the power of communication and relationship building. I attended a workshop with Communication Trainer Eddie Lush who addressed a lot of problems young people face, such as lacking confidence amongst large crowds of people and sometimes struggling to effectively get their points across. We learnt how to pronounce our voice, appear confident, even if we feel otherwise internally, and use body language to additionally convey our points. By the end of the workshop, it was interesting to see people come out of their shell more.
Why OffScript and similar events Matter for young people and EY Foundation
Events like OffScript are important for young people because they demystify professional spaces that can often feel inaccessible, particularly for young people from low-income backgrounds. Networking is often portrayed as intimidating or transactional, but OffScript reframed it as something human built on shared experiences and genuine connection.
Workshops and experiences like this also equip young people with skills such as public speaking, communication, networking and relationship building; skills which everyone should have access to. Furthermore, they help expand the knowledge space of young people, encouraging them to research about what their future could look like, especially with new arising technologies.
This is why the EY Foundation’s work is so vital. By bridging gaps in access, confidence, and opportunity, EY Foundation shows what’s possible when organisations, educators, and young people work together to strengthen social mobility and create fairer pathways into work.