If you work in recruitment, what career path would you recommend a 16-year old?

[TR888]

The labour market is changing so quickly I don't feel I can offer very oood Higher Education + graduate employment advice to my 16 year old. At the moment, he says he wants to study Economics or a business course at university - it sounds fine to me but what do I know!

What advice have you got for today's 16-year-olds?

Talk to the careers person at school

No one can answer this for you as there are 1. So many careers and 2. All kids are different

For example my 15 year old is joining the navy as soon as he's finished GCSEs, my 16 year old is going to uni after a levels... so different

I'd also recommend you encourage your DC to have a careers appointment, and have a think around their gifts and preferences (e.g. are they good at studying, presenting information, particularly kind and caring, strong problem solver etc.). Also have a look at the shortage occupations list to see where there are skills gaps in areas they are interested in training - https://www.davidsonmorris.com/shortage-occupation-list/

None. They don't know what they want to do yet. I would hate to be in my 30s doing the job I wanted when I was 16! Give them time to grow and figure out who they are before pushing such difficult choices on them.

High court judge. I don't think they'll be replaced by AI for a good while yet.

Sounds fine. I suspect that that gives him plenty of options. He still has a while to decide on his course anyway.

I don't work in recruitment though

My dd is in the same boat, doesn't know what to do.

She loves animals so has applied for a tier 3 animal management course at one of the local collages. It's a 2 year course, 3 days a week with work experience. She'll leave with the equivalent of 3 A levels (all going well) which will mean she'll have enough points to go to uni if she wants. She doesn't have to go to uni to do anything animal related, she could choose to be a dentist if that's what she wants.

For me it's about getting her to do something she'll enjoy for two years, which gives her enough points for uni if that's what she wants to do at 18.

Lots of good advice, thanks.

Don't do anything that will end up being done by AI.

Yes - but the truck is to know what will end up being done by AI!