Career guidance has long been fragmented. Schools do what they can, universities communicate their own offers, and industry speaks in its own language, making for a landscape that's hard to navigate – especially for 13-16 year olds who are still working out who they are, let alone what they might become.

WonderWhat brings those voices into the same space. Supported by the Department for Work and Pensions and Pearson, and shaped in partnership with a group of 13 forward-thinking universities, the project is grounded in the idea that students benefit the most when institutions collaborate rather than compete.

By contributing real content – imagery, insight, stories and routes forward – partners help build a shared picture of creative careers that feel credible and accessible. From architecture to animation, fashion to film, each institution adds depth and diversity to the WonderWhat ecosystem. Content is image-led and interlinked, allowing students to explore creatively rather than follow prescribed routes. It's a model built on a collective sense of responsibility, going beyond promoting individual courses to improve the system as a whole.

Our mission is to make creative career discovery feel less daunting and more connected to real life, and as the collective grows, so does its impact. More perspectives, more pathways and more relevance for students who don't yet see themselves reflected in traditional careers narratives. The involvement of partners such as Pearson alongside universities and public bodies, signals a shift towards joined-up thinking across education, qualifications and employment.

WonderWhat demonstrates how collaboration can extend reach and support young people in ways no single organisation could achieve alone. For universities who share that belief – that widening access and supporting informed choices for creative futures matters – this is an invitatio to join our collective effort and be part of a practical step towards a more open, joined-up future for creative education and career pathways.

If this sounds like something you and your organisation can get behind, we'd love to hear from you.

Get in touch with eadaoin@bondandcoyne.co.uk