(well, nearly!)

 Start Thinking!!!

Here are some examples of what you should ask yourself when looking at different career options:

• What qualifications will I need to get the future career I want e.g. GCSEs, A-Levels, Degree, Masters, PHD? 

• Is the industry competitive? Realistically how many jobs are there in this industry?

• Will I have to move to find employment in my chosen industry? 

• What age do I have to be? (e.g. the average age to join the police is 24)

• What life experience would be useful e.g. volunteering, caring for others etc?

• What’s the job like, is it active, challenging, boring, repetitive etc?

• Where will I be working e.g. in an office, abroad, on the road etc?

• What are the promotion prospects?

• Will I be working in a team or by myself?

• Will having criminal convictions stop me getting a certain job (this is especially relevant for young people interested in caring professions)?

• Want a car, a house, etc. Will this job pay me enough? (UK average annual wage is around 29k)

• Do I have the right skills e.g. reading, writing, speaking in front of groups, hand/eye coordination etc.

• What hours will I have to work e.g. weekends, evenings, Christmas, split shifts, on-call etc?

• Do I know anyone who works in the industry; can they help me get a foot in the door?

Useful Websites

• https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/- The National Careers Service online careers database of information on hundreds of different jobs, what the job involves, entry and training.
• www.icould.com - Ideas to make the most of your potential and talent, by showing how others have used theirs.
• www.careersbox.co.uk - Online library of careers related films, news and info. The case studies show real people doing real jobs, giving viewers insights into all different careers. 
• www.stem.org.uk/post-16/careers- Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths career information
• www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices - For advice on types of apprenticeship and vacancies
• www.ucas.com - All you need to know about applying to university and choosing degrees. Good to check subject requirements for entry to your chosen degree/career
• www.notgoingtouni.co.uk - Highlights the opportunities that exist outside of traditional university such as apprenticeships, sponsored degrees, gap years, distance learning and jobs
• www.informedchoices.ac.uk – Lots of support on choosing post 16 courses and the degrees they may open up.
• www.unifrog.org/student/home - use your school email to log in to this

Decision Time

Now you’ve done your research into the different careers available, you can start to look at the routes into those professions. There are two main routes after leaving school, apprenticeships and college. 

College

After leaving school, the vast majority of young people progress onto college. 

Colleges offer a huge choice of courses, from old favourites, like Maths, English, Geography, Drama, through to new subjects like Animal care, Economics, Psychology, Travel & Tourism etc.

 Depending on the career you’re considering, after completing your study, you can then apply to university or seek out apprenticeships/employment opportunities.

Questions to ask about different college courses:

• Is the course assessed using exams or coursework?

• Will the courses I’m choosing get me into uni? (entry requirements can be found on UCAS’s website)

• What do I know about this subject? What is the content of the course?

• What careers and uni courses do young people who complete the course progress onto?

• Is the subject I’m choosing a hobby, or something that will genuinely help me in the future?

• Do I know anyone who has studied the course or attended the college? What do they think?

• Have you met the teaching staff? What are they like? What are their facilities like?

• How will I travel there each day, how much will it cost?

• Are there any additional costs involved for uniform, equipment, books, trips etc?

• Does the college have links to any local companies?

• What support is available if I have additional needs? 

• What enrichment, work experience and personal development opportunities are available?

• What support is available to students looking to progress onto uni (especially Russell Group unis)?

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are for young people who have a good idea about their career direction. 

You can do apprenticeships in a range of careers including administration, construction, health, engineering etc. 

Apprentices earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills. As well as doing the job, usually on a day-release basis, apprentices receive training to work towards nationally recognised qualifications. 

Apprenticeships can be excellent opportunities, but they can also be very difficult to come by. It's down to you to find an employer willing to take you on or to register with a provider who may have some employers looking for an apprentice.

Careers Advice  

Careers Advice is available in school – book appointments via your tutor or you can have a less formal conversation with Mrs Illsley/Mrs Francis.