What do you want to be?
A fireman? A teacher? A doctor? A hairdresser? When you're young, these are the jobs people talk about. But what about marketing executive? Social anthropologist? Company director? Art historian? There are countless careers out there, just waiting to be snapped up by you. The world really is your oyster. Woot!
Career factoid Average weekly pay in the UK is £447 Office of National Statistics
Absolutely no idea what career to go into…
The buzz words here are Transferable Skills. Are you great at organising nights out? Then Event Management might be your thing. Do you love sport and know how to charm your teachers into forgiving late homework? Then doing PR (public relations) for a football club could be the way forward. Do you care about our planet? Perhaps you'll be an environmental scientist. Think about what you love and what you're good at: somewhere there will be a career that can use those skills.
How to get into your chosen career?
Talk to your school or college's careers advisor, do a web search, find out what you need. Do you need a particular degree? If so, what A Levels will you need to do first? Is a particular vocational qualification (eg. NVQ) needed? Email a company within your particular career sector and ask if you can do work experience [hyperlink to work experience factfile].
Can't. Stand. The. Pressure.
Try not to get stressed about your future, even if you have no idea what you want to do. Do vocational or academic qualifications in subjects you like, and the rest will follow. Most people only realise what career's right for them when they're in their 20s or even 30s.
Written by Ali Cronin
Last updated 17th June 2007
Further help and advice
- Connexions Direct: advice on making the right choices from Year 9 onwards.
- Need2Know: advice and info on choosing a career.
- TheSite.org: the Career Ladder.
- You can call ChildLine on 0800 1111 (free) or The Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (cost of a local call) 24/7 if the stress is getting to you.
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Rosie, 13
I want to be an A+E consultant, because im good at Science and i have "doctors handwriting"! XD
ella, 16 in 5days
i had no idea what i might even want to do all sorts of ideas floating in my head!! but last year i went to a carrer do in bath and west showground and i took an online quiz where you answer quessies and they list ideas of good jobs suited for you..there right at the top of the list was the perfect career for me!! so i now know what i want to go in2 thanks 2the quiz and am going to study at uni to get qualifications and build up a rep to become a first class drama therpaist i totally recommend trying the connexions quiz!!!
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