Once you know what careers you’re interested in, it’s useful to know how to get there. Whatever you want to do in the future, there are many different ways to get your foot in the door! Understanding your options and the routes that could work for you will help you make confident choices. Explore the different ways you can learn or work (or both)!

There are many different routes into your dream career!

They each have different ways you can gain experience and knowledge. There'll be something to suit your needs and the way you learn best!

Want to stay in school?

You could continue your studies with: A Levels, T Levels, Vocational Qualification (like BTECs) or University (18+). They all have different amounts of academic study, coursework, exams and even work experience. Explore different courses that you find interesting at schools, colleges and university to find the option that best suits your needs.

Want to get a job?

If you have little training or experience, work placements and entry level roles are great places to start building industry knowledge and to get a taste of different roles. Or you could even be your own boss and become an entrepreneur with self-employment! Think about what you want from work and what skills and experience you need to get to where you want to be.

Want to do both?

If you want to get work experience in a real job and continue studying without the cost, then apprenticeships are a good option to consider. If you’re aged 16+, you can earn a salary and study towards a qualification in any industry you like. They range from Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) to Level 7 (degree equivalent) and you’re employer will pay for your training!

How do you learn best?

Knowing how you learn best could help you decide which route to take. Discover the style that sounds like you, and use your learning needs to choose which opportunity to learn would suit YOU!

Identify my learning style

3 ways to explore next steps TODAY

Free online course

Sign up for Young Professional free training (it only takes a minute) and try the free online course module Your Education and Training. Explore your options, see how to find training courses or jobs, and how to balance work and study at the same time.

Take The Quiz

Start thinking about your dream career by completing the Careers Quiz to find out what jobs you might enjoy based on your answers.

Explore Careers

Choose 3 careers you’re interested in and explore what you’ll do and how to get there. You can use our career guides to discover salaries, skills, experiences, qualifications, FAQs and responsibilities of the jobs you’re considering.

Ask yourself:

  1. What do I want and not want from my career? (Do you want to work indoors or outdoors? Do you want to work in a team or mostly on your own? etc)
  2. What do I think I will be good at and what interests me? (and what do others think might suit me?)
  3. How will I get there? What training and work options do I have?

 

If you're aged 14 – 22 with an interest in marketing and the inclusive sport of horseracing, you can join the Youth Collaboration Group with Careers in Racing. Build skills and confidence as you do everything from co-designing hoodies and videos to understanding what goes on in a racing yard!

Youth Collaboration Group Careers In Racing

Summer Jobs with Haven

Let’s make a SMART goal for your next steps…

Making a SMART goal is a good way to achieve your goals, no matter how big or small. You can break down your journey to success into small steps that fit your needs.

A SMART goal is:

  • Specific: What do you want to achieve?
  • Measurable: How will you know when you’ve achieved it?
  • Achievable: How can your goal be accomplished?
  • Relevant: Why is this goal worth the effort?
  • Timely: When do you aim to accomplish this goal?

Example of a SMART goal

“I will spend 30 minutes each week researching the type of jobs I’m interested in (to find out what skills or experience you might need) and the options I have (universities with good study programmes, apprenticeships that interest you etc).”

Try this at home

Use the Get Job Ready SMART goals worksheet from McDonald’s to create some SMART goals that will help you step closer and closer to what matters to YOU.

Get worksheet

Career confidence tip for today

There are many ways to get to where you want to be, no matter what stage you’re at in your career journey.

Top tip:  make a pros and cons list for each route to explore the best option for YOU. You don’t have to do something because it’s what your peers are choosing – we’re all different!

Leonardo da Vinci said: ‘Nothing can be loved or hated unless it is first understood’. 

Understanding what you like or don’t like about each option before you make your decision will help you make the best choice. All routes have different benefits and you don’t know what they are until you look.

Overcoming barriers

People of all abilities, backgrounds and experiences can achieve great things with the right support in place. You might just need a little bit of extra help to make sure your chosen route works for your needs.

You can request reasonable adjustments in education and work, find virtual training and job opportunities, and apply for work/study options that are designed to be inclusive and supportive.

Explore the programmes our Youth Friendly Employers provide to see what’s out there. Reading other young people’s stories will help give you the inspiration you need to start searching…

Finding next steps locally

You can find opportunities to build your skills locally through volunteering, work experience, and training courses with #CreateYourFuture. It’s like a jobs board for young people!

Sign in to search for development opportunities in your local area.

Aged 16-30? Volunteer with Youth Employment UK and you’ll gain so much more than something great to put on your CV. (You’ll get that too.) Wherever you live, we’ll help you get involved in inspiring projects around the UK or online.

Stay up to date

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Young people
Schools and careers leaders
Employers
Charter Members
Policy professionals & organisations

Get in touch

Want to know more about ways to get involved? We’d love to hear from you!

info@youthemployment.org.uk

#YEW23 #YouthEmploymentWeek