There's a huge range of career options out there ...
There can be many steps to take before you decide what you want to do.
Connexions can help you to find out about the different choices you have, and how to decide what is best for you.
Making choices
The great thing about choosing your future is that it’s your decision. But there’s a lot of choice!
If you are aged 13-14 over the next few years you will need to find out about:
things you are good at
what you like doing
your particular strengths
career, training and education ideas that interest you
Whatever your interests and abilities, there’s something to suit you!
The main thing to remember is – make the right choice for YOU. Nobody expects you to be completely sure about your career when you are young. But the earlier you start thinking things through, the better. There will be plenty of help from your teachers,family, friends and your Connexions Personal Adviser.
If you are aged 15 or 16 you will need to decide what you are going to do next.
At 16 you could:
Continue in education at:
A school
A college of further education
A sixth form college
Start work or work-based learning
As an apprentice
On an e2e course
In a job with training
If you are aged 18 you could:
- Continue in education at:
A college of further education
A University or college of higher education
- Start work or work-based learning:
As an apprentice
On a job with training
- Or do something else such a voluntary work.
Whatever your starting point you need to be able to build on your qualifications and skills. You could even find yourself changing direction completely in the future!
Connexions can help you develop a career plan that makes the most of your potential. Think about what you like doing, what you're good at and the types of jobs that interest you.
To find out about different careers and the qualifications and training you need to look at:
- Connexions resource centres
- Databases like Kudos and Job Explorer Database (JED)
These are available in school, college and Connexions Centres. We have databases and paper based information for you to look at.
Visit www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u for profiles of hundreds of different jobs and information on qualifications and working and learning
People rarely have a job for life anymore, so you may find yourself having to make career changes over the years. It's important to have skills that you can use in different situations.
Connexions West of England local information sheets give information on a range of careers types and the options for training or studying to get there. Click to view the different categories of careers.
 Agriculture and Horticulture
Design, Arts and Crafts
Building and Construction
Administration, Business and Office Work
Healthcare - Caring for People
Computers and IT
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Garage Work, Mechanics and Agricultural Engineering
Hairdressing and Beauty
Catering and Hospitality
Mechanical Engineering
Security and Armed Forces
Retail Sales and Warehousing
Science and Laboratory Work
Sport and Leisure
Tourism
Animals
Media and Performing Arts
 Courses and Training at NVQ1, Entry and Pre-Entry Level
Click here to download the full set of Local Information Sheets as a self-installer package to load onto your computer.
West at Work have produced the 'Getting Into' leaflets giving easy to undertstand local information.
Getting into Construction
Getting into Hospitality
Getting into Retail
Getting into Security
Getting into Travel
 Look at "Work Matters" to find out about different types of jobs, pay and where to get more information.
To find information about different types of careers such as what qualifications you need, visit these sites:
Try the jobs4u careers database to find the right job for you.
www.careersa-z.co.uk to find information for all types of careers and industries - gives relevant courses, necessary qualifications, other sources of useful information and education and job hunting information
www.careersportal.co.uk to find information on types of careers, higher education, job vacancies and job hunting
www.prospects.ac.uk to find out about careers opportunties open to graduates
www.careerseurope.co.uk to find out about working and studying in Europe
Thinking about work experience?
In year 10 or 11 most young people get the chance to do work experience through school. This gives you the chance to find out what a working environment is like and gain skills. You can find out more at www.experiencesofwork.co.uk
Click here to see Job Search - lots of useful links to find out about different jobs and careers - specialist sites on all types careers and local and national newspapers
Look at our Contacts section and our 1 Big Database for lots of useful organisations, links and telephone numbers on a whole range of issues that affect young people. |
