There are several stages in life where your career trajectory is at the forefront of your mind; school leaving age, as you finish college or graduate from university, even when you’re walking through the door at your existing job feeling generally unfulfilled. It can be tricky to see the woods for the trees sometimes, particularly when you start thinking about ‘what should I do?’ It certainly isn’t a question that can necessarily be answered overnight and that’s okay, there’s hundreds of job ideas and career advice is readily available from various different sources. Some people know what they want to do from as young as starting school and others still don’t truly know what work they want to be doing when they’re coming up to retiring, that’s why it’s important to put some time aside to do a bit of thinking and research around things that interest you. 

When thinking about your career there’s a number of different things to consider: 

1. Evaluate where you currently are

Whether it’s leaving school with your GCSE’s or your third consecutive year in an office job that you don’t like, you need to look at your prospects with the qualifications and experience you have under your belt so far, but also with the enthusiasm and determination that you have to find the right job for you.

2. Clearly define what you are passionate about

Look internally at what you truly enjoy. What are your favourite things to do and the reasons why you like to do them. Think about the type of things that get you excited to get out of bed in a morning – is this something that can be found in a career that you can think of? Write down or brainstorm a list of job ideas and link them to your favourite things.

3. Seek career advice

Career advice is openly available and at your fingertips. Schools, colleges and universities all have careers advice services, and even if you don’t want to use those, or are out of full-time education then the internet is teeming with sites full of useful information on what’s out there, what jobs suit your personality, which of your skills match up to which jobs, how to find the perfect career etc.

4. Figure out what it takes to make it and whether it is worth it

Certain careers and jobs require personal sacrifices, it could be shifts, evening and weekend work or years and years of time spent in vocational training. Whatever it is, you need to decide if it is worth it to you, are you willing to put the necessary effort in to get where you want to be?

5. Develop and plan for professional development

Once you’ve recognised what skills are essential for the role in which you are aiming for, continue to enhance and build upon them. Look at carrying out a structured professional development plan with SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timed) targets set out within it. Doing so, will put you in good stead and give you the upper hand when it comes to applying for and undertaking roles - every day is a school day!

6. Build your network and talk to professionals within the industry

There tends to be nobody better to learn from than those who have been there and done it already. Industry professionals can share their story with you and how they got in the position they are in – but more importantly they can give you insider information, tips and tricks, as well as career advice and guidance. 

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different jobs out there all with varying responsibilities. It is almost guaranteed that there is a career in which aligns with your passions and interests, you just need to pin down what it is exactly you enjoy. Whether you love solving problems in the newspaper or drawing and painting at home, every hobby has transferrable qualities that will be of value in the world of work. Apprenticeships are great ways of applying these, all whilst developing even more relevant skills and gaining valuable experience. Not only do you get hands-on time in an active role, but you also have chance to choose the areas in which you wish to develop and grow further. Apprenticeships aren’t just for school leavers, or those finishing college, as long as you meet the minimum criteria for the course in which you are applying for, it should be all systems go! 

So, whilst it may seem like a rather daunting task to figure out ‘what I should do’, there are plenty of ways to help you decide. Ultimately, the onus is on you to decide what career will provide you with fulfilment.

For apprenticeship courses that skyrocket careers, and companies that are out of this World, take a look at our current vacancies or get in touch with our amazing talent team.