In Year 9 and thinking about which options to take?
Want to find out what careers and jobs are all about?

Now is the time to start thinking about your future and the choices you'll have to make. One way to start is to think about what you like doing, what you're good at and the types of jobs that interest you.

I don't know what to choose!

• Think about what you are good at and would enjoy, some subjects may be new to you - so find out more
  
• Ask your teachers
  
• Speak to your careers or personal adviser
  
• Go to Options Evenings
  
• Use your careers/Connexions library in school
  
• Use careers databases like Kudos and JED - they can help you think about some career ideas and tell you about different kinds of jobs
  
• Get information on all the subjects you could study in Years 10 and 11
  
• Think a bit further ahead -  What would you like to do after Year 11?
  
• What courses could you take?
  
• Would you like to carry on in full time education or get a job with training

A lot to think about? - There's lots of help...

• To help you make your decisions you'll get lots of help from teachers, careers advisers, your parents, guardians/carers and friends.
  
• Every school has a Connexions Personal/Careers Adviser and a teacher responsible for careers - there will always be someone to talk to.
  
• The main thing is to make the choice that is right for YOU. But don't worry, this will not stop you from changing your mind about careers later.
  
• There are choices for everyone and even if you feel you haven't done too well at school up until now there is plenty of time to prepare yourself for leaving school.

Look at our pages for the years ahead and on Education, Training and Careers to see what choices there will be as you move on.  Today very few people do the same job for all their life.  Advances in technology and the way businesses work mean that if you want to get on you have to move on!  This means having skills that you can use in any job as well as qualifications and continuing to learn as you move through your working life.

Personal Advisers

They work in your school and other places young people go to.  They can help you make decisions about your future.  They can give you expert advice and information on all the education training and work options open to you.  You can also get help and support on any issue that concerns you, no matter what it is.

Employability Skills

Qualifications are important, but are not the only thing.  Employers also look for what are called Employability Skills (sometimes called Key Skills). Employabilty Skills include communication, IT, working with others, problem solving, improving your own learning and performance, application of number.

Want to talk to somebody?

All young people are likely to need help of one sort or another. It is part of growing up and moving on.  If you have a problem that is stopping you from making decisions about your life, education and career choices, Connexions can help you.  You can talk to a Connexions Personal Adviser about any issue that concerns YOU.

You can telephone or e-mail Connexions Direct for confidential help and advice. Look at the other pages on this website for useful information and links or names and addresses of organisations who can offer further information, help and advice on all the issues concern young people.

Connexions West of England Local Information Sheets give information on a range of careers and the options for training or studying to get there. Click here to view the Connexions West of England Local Information Sheets

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.