On Monday, we brought something a little different to Westminster. At our Experience Everything reception, hosted in the House of Commons and proudly sponsored by AMS, we gathered policymakers, employers, educators, and, most importantly, students, to spotlight a simple idea with powerful potential: what if every young person could experience their future before choosing it?

Kicking off the evening was Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP, who reminded us all why we were there. In his opening remarks, he said: “Talent is spread evenly across the country, but far too often, opportunity isn’t.” His support set the tone for a night that centred young people – not just in conversation, but in purpose.

Springpod’s CEO, Sam Hyams, followed with a welcome that challenged us to think bigger. He spoke of a vision where students don’t just get “a week of work experience”, but real, ongoing, immersive opportunities to explore, learn and grow – no matter their postcode or background.

It was a call to action. But it was what came next that made the message land.

The real voices that mattered

Chisola Chitambala, entrepreneur, and familiar face from this year’s The Apprentice took to the mic and shared her non-linear journey from flipping chicken to fronting boardrooms. Her introduction set the stage for the highlight of the night: three students sharing their real stories of discovery, ambition and change.

Syriah, now doing a degree apprenticeship at JLL, spoke about the moment her career moved from concept to reality – all thanks to her first virtual experience. She put it simply: “We don't discover our passions through passive learning – we need to actively explore them.”

Next, Niamh shared a powerful reflection on how little she knew about the job market at school – and how one chance to try something new gave her clarity and direction (even if she did joke that teaching work experience made her realise that teaching wasn’t for her).

Then came Isaac. From receiving GCSE results below the national average to standing in the House of Commons delivering a speech, he reminded the room that potential doesn’t always come wrapped in neat grades and polished CVs. “Isn’t that the clearest testament to raw potential?” he asked.

It’s easy to talk about statistics. It’s harder (but far more powerful) to listen to the students behind them. And that’s what this evening was all about.

Launching Springpod’s AI Interview Coach: A real step into the future

One of the biggest highlights of the evening – and the part that had guests lining up throughout the night – was the official launch of Springpod’s brand-new AI Interview Coach.

This wasn’t just a demo. It was a live, hands-on introduction to a tool that could transform how students prepare for the world of work.

The AI Interview Coach is a personalised, real-time, voice-to-voice video interview with a realistic AI coach that gives students the opportunity to practice realistic interviews with simulated questions from real employers. Students speak aloud to the Coach and receive tailored feedback on their communication, body language, and how effectively they tell their story, demonstrate their skills, and own the interview – helping them build confidence and improve with each attempt.

Crucially, this isn’t a generic tool. Springpod is partnering with top employers across the UK to deliver bespoke interview experiences, tailored to specific roles and sectors. So whether a student is preparing for a legal apprenticeship or a digital marketing internship, they can rehearse the real thing – before the real thing.

It’s about levelling the playing field. Interview confidence shouldn’t come down to parental coaching or access to networks. It makes structured, constructive interview prep more widely available – especially for those who might otherwise miss out.

And judging by the buzz around the booth (and the queue that never seemed to shrink), it’s already proving to be a game-changer.

This launch wasn’t just about showcasing new tech – it was about showing what’s possible when innovation meets equity. And how game-changing it can be when young people get to prepare for the moments that matter. 

Sign up to hear more on the AI Interview Coach as the tool progresses >

Experience zones: from ambition to action

The second half of the event was all about interaction – and a little bit of fun. We invited guests to explore three key zones, each designed to mirror a stage in a young person’s career journey:

• Ignite ambition: test drive your future
  Could every student explore careers before choosing one? That was the question we posed in this zone, as guests raced Scalextric cars and reflected on how experience builds aspiration.
  
  
• Power potential: skills under pressure
  From hot wire challenges to a round of Operation, this zone explored how resilience, problem-solving and confidence can be developed through meaningful, hands-on activities  not just classroom theory.
  
  
• Kickstart careers: ready for the real thing?
  Here we showcased our new AI Interview Coach, helping students translate their learning into practical, job-ready skills. It was the real “wow” moment of the evening – a glimpse into the future of career readiness.
  
  

A night to remember – but just the beginning

While we heard from three incredible students on stage, students were the focus throughout the evening. Many joined us in the room to share their ambitions, questions and hopes directly with the policymakers, employers and educators shaping their future.

The event may have included racing cars, interactive games and immersive zones – but the real Experience Everything was in the mission: to build a system where every young person can explore their future, prepare with confidence, and access real opportunities.

A huge thank you to AMS for sponsoring the evening, to Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP for hosting us, and to every guest who came with curiosity, openness and a commitment to doing more.

The need is great. But so is the potential.

Let’s make sure every student gets the chance to experience everything.