Speaking to family and friends
This may be the very first thing you do. Those close to us can provide support, direction and answer the many questions you have. Having been through the experiences themselves family and friends can give insight into how to look for a career and things to consider that they appreciate as being important i.e. work life balance, priorities, flexibility and so on. When it comes down to strengths and weakness, they are the people that know you best and can help you narrow down options.
Looking on national careers service
This is the most popular place where you can find lots of information about careers, but can also browse different job roles. In the Explore careers you can find all the different sectors to fuel some thoughts and get you thinking of different professions.
Reading online career resources
You can search more about a particular job on job websites such as Indeed or LinkedIn They will have lots of information about the requirements for a position and prospects for a particular job role.
Personal blogs may also give insight into a particular job role revealing experiences, advantages and disadvantages of a position. They can be highly subjective, and it is good to remember that whilst they can be informative no two people will have the same experience.
Attend careers events
This is a very efficient way to get inspired by different career prospects. There will be many companies in one place, so you can gain lots of information without having to do much work. You will be able to grasp what are the popular industries and the latest job trends. It is also an opportunity to network and meet other people looking for inspiration.
Attend university open days
Whether you are considering professions that require higher education or looking for some different ideas, attending university open days is another great option. The volume of choice has increased dramatically, universities will have lots of different courses to choose from. You will get an idea of what university life is like and have a chance to look around the campus. There will be students to chat to, a further chance of networking.
Applying for an apprenticeship
Apprenticeships are ways to learn, work and earn, therefore putting all the knowledge straight into work. They are typically shorter than an undergraduate course, they are funded by the government or the employer, thereby making them attractive to many. At the end of the apprenticeship, you will gain a qualification which can be anything from level 2 to higher levels like 6 or 7 equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Ask for shadowing opportunities or volunteer
You can ask for opportunities to shadow a professional like a doctor in hospital or a lawyer in an office. Another efficient option is to volunteer, which gives you the additional benefit of not only observing, but also playing a small role in the business, therefore getting a real feel for what the job entails. It is also a great opportunity to learn about teamwork, organisation, time management or particular skills such as patient care, logistics, problem solving etc.
Speak to a career advisor
Career advisors are professionals with experience in helping you find your career. They can run assessments to help you surface your skills and values and couple that with various career options. With numerous contacts at their hands, they can give you useful resources to use and insights into the most up to date job trends.
Assessment tools
These are a series of questions about your personality, your strengths, weaknesses and interests to help uncover what job is suited to you. A simple Google search should bring up many options.
Career development workshops and webinars
Universities, professional associations or companies may organise talks that you can attend to further help you find out about the job role and the industry itself.
How can I get the most from this?
Whilst investing your time in one way may be a good start it should not be the only thing you do. To make an informed decision about your career choice you should aim to gain as much knowledge as possible. Whilst doing all the above may be too much exploring, doing too few may not answer all your questions.
An example plan for career exploration:
- Speak to family and friends
- Undertake self-assessments
- Research your chosen job role
- Attend career fairs or university open days
You should do whatever you feel necessary. Most importantly after each activity reflect on what you have learned, asking questions and sharing your experiences with your friends and family. Discussing it with others will help analyse information and prompt further actions.
Resources:
Indeed https://uk.indeed.com/?r=us
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-dbs-checks-hospitality-catering-michelle-mellor-mirp
National careers services https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-careers
Careers fair https://www.ukcareersfair.com/