You’ve
finished school and you don’t know want to do
next. How do you decide on a career?
Only
you can make that decision. But here are seven questions
you can ask yourself:
What
am I good at?
If
you’re good at maths you might want to work in
an accountant’s office or a bank.
If
you’re good at getting on with people you might
like a job where you’re dealing with the public
all day.
What
do I enjoy?
Do
you enjoy using your hands or your head? Do you love
computers or hate them?
Would
you like to work in the centre of town or somewhere
quiet? Ask yourself questions like this.
What
work is useful?
Many
people find they enjoy a job a lot more if they’re
doing something useful, such as nursing. Or working
as a bricklayer and building well-made houses.
How
much training do I want to do?
For
some careers you’ll need to spend a few years
at college or do a lot of training. Does that sound
good or bad?
What
work is available in my area?
If
you’re living in Birmingham and you don’t
want to move, it’s going to be hard to get work
as a surfing instructor.
What
is realistic for me to go for?
Some
jobs need good exam grades or special skills. Others
are just hard to get into. Lots of people would like
be actors – but it takes a huge amount of effort,
skill and luck to make it. Are you dedicated enough
to try?
Who
can help me decide?
Who
knows me well enough to give good advice? Who will listen
to my ideas and my questions?
A final
word of advice…try it!
Don’t
worry if you still can’t decide on a career plan.
You
don’t need to have it all planned out. Just try
something – a job or a college course. You may
like it – and if you don’t you can just
try something else. Try as many things as you need to!
Contact
a tutor if you’d like to talk about any of these
questions.
Choosing a career