Ever wondered who actually makes the big decisions that shape our society? That’s where governance comes in. Time for you to get in on the action!
Governance is about how decisions are made, who gets a say, and how leaders are held accountable. It’s the behind-the-scenes system that shapes everything from your school’s policies and how your sports team uses its
membership fees, all the way to big businesses and climate action plans that will shape our future.
It might sound a bit formal, but governance is a powerful way to create change. And here’s the thing: you don’t have to wait until you’re older to get involved.
Discover governance
Organisations like Just Governance are helping to make these spaces of power more accessible to young people. The Discover Governance course is designed to break down what governance actually is and show young people – especially young women, gender-diverse people and those with lived experience – that they belong in these decision-making spaces.
The program is designed to connect you with others, build your confidence, and its mentors can even help you to step into real governance roles. That could mean joining a board, contributing to community projects or helping shape the future of organisations you care about.
Speak up
Whether it’s joining a youth committee, becoming a student executive or even landing a director position on a board, stepping into leadership roles when you’re young means you get to help shape decisions that affect you. It can also help you develop skills that employers look for, such as speaking up, thinking critically and understanding different perspectives.
Lead on
We need more STEM minds on boards making decisions that matter. If you want to create real impact, STEM + governance is a powerful combination.
This article first appeared in Careers with STEM: Engineering 2026.
Read more
- Check out justgovernance.org
- Ctrl+Alt+Include: Assistive tech
- Engineering change: How engineers are building a better world
Written by Adele Roeder
