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 workers can help you by:

advising on the best options to take in Year 9, Year 11 and when you are 16+
matching your skills and 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 youth support worker who comes into your school or college. You'll be booked an informal interview where you can chat through your options. Some also hold drop-ins at break or lunchtime.

If you are no longer at school or college, you may be able to see an youth support worker 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 Prevention and Inclusion 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 100 900.

For information on job search, 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:

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.
Careersbox - offers the opportunity to view videos of people talking about a wide variety of job roles.
Next Step's career planning pages - 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: