Each student has different requirements and criteria which are important to them in making a career decision. Having a career is one of the most important aspects of life because it provides money and a source of income that supports daily living. It is not easy for young people to decide what career they want, especially when they haven’t had any experience of the working world or do not understand what that might involve. Careers guidance helps to identify areas of interest that can be further explored and investigated and built over a period of time. It can be the difference between having a job you love, and one you loathe. A career should be based on something that makes you happy and that you enjoy. By planning your journey as early as possible it will provide time for you to carefully consider and investigate all your thoughts and ideas, possibly undertake some work experience and start gaining the skills needed for your desired role.
It’s not easy to figure out what careers are available, some of the questions you might ask yourself are:
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Do I have to go to university to study that?
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What am I good at?
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Are there jobs available in my local area?
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How much will I earn?
A good place to start is by thinking about your favourite subjects at school, why do you enjoy them, is it a skill that comes naturally, how does it make you feel? Then ask yourself if it is something you could see yourself doing in the future. Also look at hobbies and interest in the same way and question the types of careers available that match these interests. Thinking about the subjects and activities that you enjoy will help to form a starting point for building a career. Also think about your soft skills:
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Am I a strong communicator (spoken or listening)?
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Can I lead a team of people?
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Am I good at organising my work load or events?
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Do I work better in a team or on my own initiative?
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Am I empathetic and care about the feelings of others?
Career planning is not an activity that should be done once and then forgotten about; it is an evolving plan that should be given regular attention and regularly updated.
Here at Ousedale, we then take it a step further and encourage student to self-reflect and really consider their individuality in terms of skills and knowledge. As part of the PSHE study programme students will:
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Identify their strengths and weaknesses and think about skills and aptitudes desirable for employability.
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Understand the importance of life-long learning and managing transitions
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Discuss post 16 options, qualifications and a variety of study routes
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Make informed decisions and plan for their future
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Be helped to set achievable career targets which encourage them to strive for excellence