The Power of the "Schedule Send"

The action plan at the end of a guidance session has so much value… but as a self-employed careers advisor working in multiple schools, how can we make sure it doesn’t end up as a forgotten table on a 121 form never to be looked at again? Ray shares her thoughts...

I have started asking every young person if an “accountability email” would be useful. I add the disclaimer that it isn’t a "Big Brother" style check in, but instead a curious inquiry from a careers cheerleader. Nearly every young person says yes and we agree on an appropriate date for my check-in.

Enter the "schedule send" button!

After writing up a learner’s notes, I write the email when the conversation is fresh, and schedule for the message to enter their inbox on the agreed date. It takes about a minute. Every career cheerleader email has a clear subject, curious questions relating to the action plan and a continued offer of support to close.

Having seen many Year 11s earlier throughout the year, there were tens of emails sent after exams and the replies have been coming in! Many have changed their options, many have now got a clear direction after time to reflect and a few have requested further signposting and support. 

Schedule send: a simple way to keep our guidance conversations going, bring further value to agreed action plans and continue to empower our young people in their career management. 

And, let’s be honest, forget you’ve done it and be pleasantly surprised by the updates, responses and gratitude which come your way weeks, months and academic years later. A reminder of all the conversations, work and impact, we have had.