Career stereotypes and aspirational struggles begin as early as ages 5 or 6 and can shape and inform our young people as they grow from children to teenagers to adults. Inspiring the Future also enables Primary School teachers to broaden their children’s horizons and raise their career aspirations through interaction and activities with ITF volunteers. The most popular event run in Primary Schools throughout the UK is a ‘What’s My Line?’ event. This activity enables interaction and engagement between students and visitors, negating the risk of primary students getting bored with long talks or discussion.

How does a ‘What’s My Line?’ activity work?

A ‘What’s My Line?’ activity involves volunteers standing or sitting in front of a primary student audience each holding a number. The intention of the game is for the audience to guess each volunteer’s job. Volunteers from different jobs and fields line up on stage holding a large number. These volunteers are initially only introduced by their number, and can only answer yes or no to the questions asked.

Students in the audience then ask questions such as ‘Do you work with people’ or ‘Do you wear a uniform?’, but cannot ask straight questions like ‘Are you a zoo-keeper?’. To help the activity run smoothly, it’s helpful to brainstorm questions with your students before the activity, so they have some ideas of what to ask when the time comes.