Careers

Deciding on a career path can be an exciting but bewildering time. It can seem there are so many different choices and lots of people trying to tell you what’s best.

Youth Support can help you by:

advising on the best options to take in Year 9, Year 11 and when you are 16+
matching your skills & interests with suitable careers
discussing which qualifications you'll need to get into your chosen career
helping you access careers software programmes such as Pathfinder, Skillcheck and Odyssey
re-assessing your career choice if you don't get the grades you needed or if you change your mind
giving you career suggestions if you have no idea what to do!

Aged 13-19?

If you need careers advice and are at school or college, ask to see the Personal Adviser (PA) who comes into your school or college. You'll be booked an informal interview where you can chat through your options. Some PAs also hold drop-ins at break or lunchtime.

If you are no longer at school or college, or can't access the PA there for whatever reason, you may be able to see an Adviser at one of our drop-in centres. You'll need to phone the area office for where you live for an appointment - don't forget to say you want careers guidance.

Over 19?

The Youth Support service is available to young people aged 13-19 (or up to 25 if you have learning difficulties or disabilities). If you are over 19, you can get careers advice from Next Step on 0800 1954 700 or from the Careers Advice Service on 0800 100 900.

For information on jobsearch, finding work, training opportunities and current vacancies, try our Work pages.

There are lots of websites who offer online careers guidance and information on particular jobs:

eCLIPS - downloadable leaflets giving job descriptions, entry requirements, prospects and pay. Use your school or college postcode as the password.
Fast Tomato - an interactive careers guidance website for teenagers considering their career options.
Careers A-Z - careers information, where to find vacancies, courses, recommended books and links to other sites.
Careers Box - offers the opportunity to view videos of people talking about a wide variety of job roles.
Jobs4U - job descriptions, salaries, links, qualifications required, training and further reading.
Further links to websites are available, broken down by category.

Online magazines such as those listed below can help you with your career and educational choices:

Loud! Mag - information about careers, higher education and training from companies and organisations.
TEN - profiling the top careers for women.
50:50 - careers and lifestyle webzine.

If you're a young person with learning difficulties or disabilities, the Trans-active website has lots of information about choices and transition for both teenagers and parents.