What was February half-term like when you were at college or sixth form? Perhaps you met up with friends. Maybe you did some studying. You almost definitely seized the opportunity to sleep in.

Yet for 112 students, this half term looked very different – and a great deal more exciting.  

Discover Tech is a collaborative work experience programme created to give more young people a first-hand insight into the career opportunities within the tech industry. Led by Cisco, and supported by four other founding partners – Accenture UK&I, Adobe, IBM and World Wide Technology – the two-day pilot event immersed students in the realities of working in tech, from handling the jitters of first-time networking to hands-on projects.  

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Day one – Immersing students in the world of tech

Discover Tech began with a bang. Hosted at London South Bank University, students listened eagerly as senior leaders from each employer shared their varied journeys into tech, demonstrating the many routes into the sector.  

Not only did students hear real-life insights about a successful career in tech, but they also engaged with the panellists’ mythbusting. Misconceptions like “only a certain type of person works in tech”, “Tech careers are lonely, and you’ll sit behind a screen all day”, and the newest of them all “, AI will take your job”, were all laid to rest, followed by enthusiastic audience questioning.

From there, students split into breakout sessions, each diving deeper into one of four areas – programming, cybersecurity, AI agents, and digital storytelling.

The day buzzed with positive energy, with standout moments including a programming breakout participant telling volunteers that – despite taking many online masterclasses – this was his first in-person opportunity and the first time he’d ever spoken to someone working in cybersecurity or programming.

In the cybersecurity breakout, some students were caught off guard by the time pressure of the exercise, gaining a new understanding of what performing under real workplace conditions actually feels like – the chance to work against the clock gave them a new perspective and something to work toward. Elsewhere, students designed AI agents to support their future career development and explored how to build a personal brand using creative digital tools.

Networking – a first for many

For most students, networking was a brand-new experience. They took to it with ease, supported by the employers who brought project examples, details of the technology they use and information about the clients they serve. The enthusiasm in the room was palpable – so much so that many conversations continued long after the session was meant to wrap up.

Turning AI on its head?

The AI plenary session was an eye-opener for many delegates – they voted on how they use AI, then debated whether AI should be used to decide who gets hired. It clearly struck a chord – we’ve seen several LinkedIn posts talking about the impact of this discussion.  

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Day two – What’s it really like to work in tech?  

If day one answered the question "could I work in tech?", day two explained "here’s what that might look like". Divided across our five employers, this was an opportunity for students to get to know a single employer better, in a smaller group. They got to see behind the scenes and understand what a career in tech looks like from the inside.

Each employer put their own stamp on the day, but all followed the same format: experiencing a real life workplace – a first for many students, who were visibly excited to experience these professional environments. This was followed by a panel of early-career employees – apprentices, interns and graduates – who were showered with questions from the highly engaged participants seeking information on a range of topics, from how to stand out in the crowd, to the levels of roles and responsibilities given to early talent.

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The afternoon brought essential skills sessions, teaching the attendees how to use AI to support interview prep and giving them support to communicate more confidently. These were designed to help students understand why these skills matter in a workplace context - something that's difficult to appreciate without first-hand experience.  

Bringing it all together

Finally, it was time to bring everything together in some hands-on project work. These put everything into action, encouraging teamwork and allowing students to apply their newfound skills as they worked on industry-related tasks ranging from healthcare access to reputation management.  

Each employer office visit brought something unique to the participants. At Cisco, students gained a new appreciation for how technology actively shapes productive workplace design, while Adobe's inspiring creative spaces buzzed with energy as students developed a social media campaign for Adobe Express and Firefly. And at IBM, students came face to face with a model of the company's leading superconducting quantum computer, then got behind the wheel for a test drive in a simulator showcasing IBM's partnership with Ferrari.

What’s next for Discover Tech?

For the 112 students who took part, Discover Tech is just the beginning of their journey. The founding partners will signpost students to opportunities to continue their tech learning journey, from apprenticeship pathways through to resources on platforms like IBM SkillsBuild and Cisco NetAcademy.  

And for Discover Tech itself? The programme is only getting started. In July, we're bringing Discover Tech to 600 students – 300 in London and 300 in Manchester. We're already planning further growth in 2027, with ambitions to reach 1,800 students and expand our footprint across the UK.

Get involved with Discover Tech

Join us as we scale Discover Tech across the UK. Where would you like to see it go next? Would you like to be involved? Get in touch with Rachel – we’d love to hear from you. Rachel@Connectr.com

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