Traditionally we have told students that if they work hard at school and get good results they can go to university and upon graduation will get a good job.

Such stories are no longer true (I wonder whether they were ever true for many people). Our career pathways are more complex than that. Here's my story -
We need to reassure young people that there are multiple routes to success.
I was a failure at school, but have ended up as a professor of education - anything is possible. Exams are not a great indicator of whether or not you will lead a fulfilling life that contributes to our universal well being.
Acknowledgement: Thanks to Jodie Mowczko for suggesting representing careers as stepping stones.