There's a lot of noise in careers support. Big promises, shiny platforms, and the same old pressure to have a perfect CV, a clear plan, and the confidence to talk about yourself like you're already hired.
But the reality is simpler. Many young people do not need more pressure. They need a clearer path, earlier support, and real opportunities that feel possible.
That is why we're building inyourroots®.
What inyourroots® is
inyourroots® is a strengths-first career discovery and job-matching ecosystem for 16–25-year-olds and local SMEs across Essex, Hertfordshire, and Suffolk. It is designed to be neurodivergent-friendly, low-pressure, and practical.
Instead of asking young people to start with a CV, we start with what is already there:
- Strengths
- Skills
- Preferences
- Readiness
- Small, doable next steps
Meet Budi, your AI career companion
Budi guides the whole journey. Budi asks better questions than a CV ever could, helps young people spot the strengths they already have, and turns them into small next steps that feel doable.
Why we're publishing now
We have not uploaded new content for a little while, and we do not want to come back with a polished story that skips the most important bit.
Right now, we are in proof of concept mode. That means we're building with the community, listening hard, and measuring what matters.
What we're testing in this phase
The questions we're validating
- Does the journey make sense, and does it feel supportive?
- Do young people complete it, and do they want to keep going?
- Do the suggested roles and sectors feel relevant and understandable?
- Do employers see potential more clearly through strengths and skills?
- Do small opportunities, like insight chats and short placements, lead to momentum?
We will share what we learn as we go, including anonymised feedback and simple progress metrics.
Who we're looking for
Beta testers (16–25)
If you're 16–25 and you want to:
- Figure out what you're good at
- Explore options without being judged
- Help shape something that's actually useful
We would love you to be part of the beta.
Local employers (SMEs)
If you're an employer and you can offer any of the following, you can help create real proof, fast:
- A short insight chat
- A workplace tour
- A work experience placement
- An apprenticeship or entry-level role
- Micro-mentoring, 15 minutes a month
You do not need a huge HR team. You just need to be willing to open the door.
Schools and youth organisations
If you support young people locally and want to pilot a strengths-first approach, we'd love to explore a small, practical pilot together.
What you'll get back
We will keep this simple and respectful of your time.
What's in it for you
- Beta testers get early access, a direct feedback loop, and a genuine say in what we launch
- Employers get early access, visibility, and a chance to shape a fairer route into local talent
- Schools and youth organisations get a practical pilot, learning resources, and a clearer route to local employer connections
Ready to help build it?
Start here
Join proof of concept with inyourroots®
Beta testers, employers, educators: tell us who you are and we will take it from there.
If you'd like, reply to this post with one sentence:
- If you're a young person, what do you wish careers support understood about you?
- If you're an employer, what is the smallest opportunity you could offer in the next 30 days?
- If you're an educator, where do young people get stuck most often?
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