We recently welcomed a group of Year 10 students from Longhill High School to Plus X Innovation Brighton for an alternative work experience day, giving them the opportunity to step inside a working innovation hub and explore what their future careers could look like.
With our Brighton Marketing and Events Manager, Sam Carroll, being a former Longhill student, the day carried extra significance for the team.
It was a chance to show that there are different pathways into work, and many ways innovation can take shape.
Innovation is not just a grand idea
The day began with breaking down what innovation really means - taking an idea and turning it into something new, useful, or better. At its core, it’s about solving real problems.
The students began to see that innovation is not just about having a big grand idea, but rather, spotting everyday challenges and thinking creatively, and differently, about how to overcome them.
Exploring innovation spaces
Students were taken on a tour of the building, giving them a first-hand look at how ideas are developed and brought to life at Plus X Innovation, in the prototyping workshop to the podcast and photography studios. It also highlighted the range of businesses and individuals working under one roof, from engineers and designers to marketers and creatives, all building very different things.
First hand experiences
One of the most valuable parts of the day was hearing directly from members based at Plus X Innovation, working across product design and engineering, digital marketing, youth and community focused work, and the creative sector. Each shared their journey, what they do, and the decisions that shaped their career.
“The students loved hearing about the inspiring life and career journeys of local entrepreneurs and business owners in the city”
- Carl Jackson
What stood out was how different each path had been.
Some had followed more traditional routes, while others had taken completely different directions, reinforcing the idea that there is no single way to build a career.
The innovation design challenge
The day then moved into a hands-on design challenge, giving students the chance to put their ideas into practice, and help the students ‘fall in love with the problem’.
Working in small groups, they were asked to come up with an app or physical product that solved a real problem at school or in everyday life. In the end, all groups chose to develop app ideas focused on challenges they experience at school.
Some explored ways to improve attendance, while others focused on giving students more autonomy over lesson choices and better ways to plan their weeks.
Each group then presented their ideas back to the room, giving them the chance to share their thinking and build confidence in presenting to others.
“Their final presentations of their design solutions were genuinely moving - seeing young people speak their minds, share their perspectives, and truly listen to one another with respect and curiosity was something special.” -
- Kerry Lockwood, Head of Locations at Plus X Innovation
Creating space for opportunity
Days like this are about more than just offering an insight into the world of work. They are about helping young people see what is possible.
By opening the building and connecting students with real people and real experiences, we hope to make future pathways feel more visible and more achievable.
It also forms part of our wider commitment to supporting local schools, strengthening community connections, and creating meaningful opportunities for young people across Brighton.
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