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Making career decisions is an important part of your plans for the future – finding out as much as you can about different areas of work, weighing up all the facts and then drawing up a provisional career plan. The more facts you have gathered, the better your chances of making an informed career choice.
You should take the following points into account:-
• qualifications you are likely to gain
• skills you may have
• your interests inside and outside school
• your personality – are you adventurous, cautious, confident, shy, flexible, reliable?
• your strengths and weaknesses – in school subjects particularly.
It is also important to be realistic in your expectations and discuss your ideas with your Careers Teacher, Careers Adviser, parents or people actually involved in the areas of work which interest you.
When considering your career you should remember that not all jobs fit neatly into one career area – some fall within more than one band, eg. Nursing combines social, practical and clerical aspects.
Within job families there are a number of levels. The level at which you enter a career usually depends on your qualifications or training. However, in times of high unemployment you may have to accept a job at a level lower than your qualifications merit.
These levels are found in most industries/professions. Together with the job groups, they form a useful framework within which to explore careers. One level is no more important than another. It is important to realise that you can enter a job at one of the lower levels and move up one or two levels through gaining experience and/or further qualifications.
Steps to deciding onyour career
• Consider your personality and interests in relation to job families.
• Select one or two areas of interest.
• Research individual jobs within your chosen areas. Check entry requirements and training in particular.
• Assess your ability to gain the qualifications required – your teachers may help with this.
• Check suitable courses either at school, college, university or training organisation.
Remember – Do not rush. This is one of the most important decisions you will make.
Anyone leaving school and hoping to go straight into employment, may need help with job hunting, interview techniques and adjusting to working life. The following leaflets in this series will help:-
• Leaving School
• Applying for a Job
• Going for an Interview
Other information leaflets in this series give further information:–
• Understanding Higher Education
• Decisions About Higher Education
• Applying to Higher Education courses
If you have followed all these guidelines and are still finding it difficult to make career decisions, do speak to your Careers Adviser again, either at school or in the nearest Careers Office, JobCentre or Jobs and Benefits Office.
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