making a decision
to help you decide...
keep an open mind & don't worry!
Look past stereotypes and ‘safe’ choices. Attend college and university open events and careers fairs to explore all the courses and careers available.
Making decisions can be difficult and sometimes people can really feel the pressure to make the right decision the first time around but don’t worry. You only need to decide what on what you want to do first. If you then find that you have changed your mind or want to follow a different path, you can switch onto another course or job opportunity – on average, people have 5 totally different careers in their lifetime!
volunteer
Discover what you like/don’t like doing and boost your skills & experience. Find relevant opportunities at:
… or ask employers directly if you can shadow them/come on work experience!
gain work experience & develop your skills
Through working part-time, volunteering, taking on positions of responsibility (e.g. class reps), attending university summer schools, taking on personal projects (e.g. creating your own website) and, if you are aged 16/17, signing up to the National Citizen Service.
Speak to industry professionals, and looks out for webinars and workshops to expand your knowledge.
think about your decision-making style
Can you be impulsive, saying yes to the first thing you see? Can you be hesitant and let your friends or family decide for you? Look into all the options before making a decision… but make sure to decide before someone else decides for you!
the job market
The job market is changing all the time, and many of the jobs that will be available in 5 years’ time will look different than the jobs available now. Jobs in digital marketing didn’t exist 10 years ago and there is now a national skills shortage in this area! The Start Profile, Prospects and National Careers Service websites all include labour market information, and the below links may also be useful:
- Skills & Employment Gap Trend Report 2020
- Local Labour Market Outlook 2022
- Cumbria’s Labour Market
- UK Regional Labour Market Outlook 2021
- Labour market information to inform careers decisions: www.lmiforall.org.uk
- Jobs & Skills in 2030: www.gov.uk/government/publications/jobs-and-skills-in-2030
- An online tool to compare jobs e.g. salary, working hours, growth etc: www.careerpilot.org.uk/information/careerometer
- Career opportunities in Cumbria: www.thecumbrialep.co.uk/ourfuture
the career-o-meter!
got a career in mind?
When you have one or a few careers in mind, consider the following:
- Will this job/ career be available in this area and elsewhere in the UK in the future? What are the skills shortages?
- What qualifications and skills do I need? What are the entry requirements?
- What’s important to you? E.g. job satisfaction, money, promotion prospects, being close to family.
- Does the opportunity match your skills, interests and values?
Also think about:
- Who influences you? Have you any pressures from your family or friends?
- Any challenges that need considering e.g. family commitments, your own confidence etc?
If you need to gain further qualifications to progress, consider:
- How do I learn best, e.g. classroom/academic learning, practical experience or a mixture of the two?
- Would assessment via exams or ongoing assessment (e.g. assignments, practical activities, presentations) be better for you?
- What type of environment do I want to study in? Do I want to study locally or further afield?
- What transport and financial support do colleges/universities offer?
- What extra opportunities are on offer, e.g. trips, clubs, competitions, work placements, Duke of Edinburgh, etc?