Teen Career Advice: 13 Things You Need to Know About Work, From Owning Mistakes to Office Biscuits

British teens are stressed about jobs, and a new BBC Radio 5 Live survey of 2,000 13- to 18-year-olds reveals they want practical guidance on applying for roles (42%), managing stress (39%), and improving communication skills (38%). Emma Beddington offers her own hard-won advice for young people entering the workforce, from owning your mistakes to the underrated power of office biscuits. She argues that while these concerns are sensible, they also reflect a dispiriting pressure on today’s youth—unlike her own teenage self, who was more interested in 80s band Then Jerico’s Mark Shaw than career planning. The piece contrasts this with French peers, hinting at a cultural difference in how young people approach work. Ultimately, Beddington’s guidance blends humor with realism, reminding readers that work is messy, human, and survivable. For teens worried about the future, the takeaway is clear: learn the basics, but don’t forget to bring biscuits.