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Original poster

Careers & decisions

13 replies

Frostytiger87 · 26/02/2022 17:36

Hi my dd is year 11 and hasn’t got a clue what she would like to do as a career
We have discussed fav subjects but she’s really unsure . Is this pretty much the norm , I feel that at 15 most kids wouldn’t have any idea

OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 26/02/2022 17:40

My dd is 16 and in Year 12. She has known what she wants to do since around 14, but I would say that's very unusual and she has been lucky to have that clarity. Most of her friends - all intelligent, talented, focused kids - have no clue. I think it's pretty normal tbh.

It's a massive decision to make and most kids have no real idea about the variety of jobs that are even available, let alone which ones they might actually enjoy/be good at. I certainly didn't have a clue at that age. It hasn't held me back.

AlexaShutUp · 26/02/2022 17:43

Does she know what subjects she might want to do at A-level or is she struggling to make that choice? A few of dd's friends were really finding it difficult to narrow down the choice, but they all seem pretty happy now with what they picked.

If dd hadn't had a specific career goal in mind, I think she'd have found choosing A-levels very hard, as she liked all of her GCSE subjects. Luckily, her decision was sort of made for her because of her aspirations for the longer term.

Heartoverheadheadoverheart · 26/02/2022 17:49

Try doing a free online personality test of the 16 personalities. Then ressaech which jobs suit which personalities. Then work your way backwards. It isn't 100% fool proof but it is a very good start at narrowing down what will suit her personality.

thesandwich · 26/02/2022 17:51

Have a
Ok at the icould buzz quiz on line. Lots to explore.

SpinsForGin · 26/02/2022 17:55

It's absolutely fine to have no idea at this age! I'm a qualified careers adviser and I feel we push young people into making decisions far too early. Indecision doesn't need to be a bad thing and if you frame it as open to various possibilities then it feels far more positive.

At this stage, looking at what he enjoys and picking subjects he likes and is good at, is a good start. It can get a little tricky if science is his passion and university is an option as science based courses will be quite specific about entry requirements.

He will have access to a careers adviser which would be a good start.

SpinsForGin · 26/02/2022 17:55

Ooopps ... sorry. Just seen that it's your DD not DS.

blueshoes · 26/02/2022 17:57

What subjects does she like and is good at? That would be a natural starting point.

FinallyHere · 26/02/2022 18:08

At that age I told anyone who asked about my career plans. I had actually no idea what it entailed and it would not have been a good fit for me.

As it happened, I found my way to Technology, which just did not exist when I was at school. It has provided me with a very good life, both interesting and well remunerated,

Choosing A levels based on what you are interested in and what you are good at, can certainly work out well, regardless of what you currently think it might lead to.

Some careers require focus from the start, others will happen while you make plans for other things.

Original poster
Frostytiger87 · 26/02/2022 18:11

Thankyou for your replies she’s good at sciences but doesn’t enjoy maths atall tbh she’s not academically minded and doesn’t enjoy school
No disrespect but I find one or two teachers boring they’re don’t have any energy or inspiration
I think teachers need to teach with enthusiasm & make each subject interesting

OP posts:
StinkerTroll · 26/02/2022 18:20

Careers advisor here as well, I'd say play to their strengths and loves, if they are academic consider the 'A' level route, if not consider vocational. Most kids will know if they are a people person, a practical person or creative person etc, work to those traits as well. As SpinsForGin says, you really don't need to know at this stage and it's a rare yp that does (and even if they do they often change their mind!!! I wanted to be a nurse at that age)

wakamekombu · 26/02/2022 18:33

Very much not a careers advisor (so BIG "this is just my opinion" disclaimer), but I had no clue what I wanted to do at that age. I did a foreign language, an essay subject, and maths at A Level, and am currently finishing a humanities degree after a slightly convoluted path through higher education. From my experience, I'd say to your daughter:

  • don't feel that you have to choose something "sensible" in lieu of knowing what you want to do. Doing something you don't enjoy with no end goal is not conducive to success, no matter how clever or diligent you are.
  • I know it feels really early to be doing so but, if you're thinking of going to university, have a look at the entry requirements of some courses you think you might one day be interested in. As a heads up, if a subject is commonly offered at sixth forms you will be expected to have done it at A Level in order to do it at university (so for instance, you cannot generally do History at university without History A Level)
  • Chemistry is a really, really useful one to have if you think you might ever want to do something like medicine, nursing, dentistry or a life science.
  • Unless you want to do something like Fine Art, Architecture, or Design, I would keep art as a hobby (if you enjoy it and are good at it) as Art A Level is extremely brutal and will be practically disregarded by some courses.
  • Some subjects can be converted into as a graduate via an accelerated route, such as psychology, social work, law, nursing, medicine. If you realise halfway through your undergraduate degree that you want to do something very different, it's not too late.

The most important thing I'd say is don't feel pressured to go to university. There are so many alternative routes into things (such as apprenticeships) and the competition for graduate jobs is absolutely ridiculous. Going to university doesn't necessarily make someone cleverer or more ambitious than anyone else. If you don't genuinely love a subject, or it doesn't allow you to fulfill specific goals, spend some time working - this will add a lot of value to your CV whether you go to university or not. There's a massive oversupply of people with degrees but minimal work experience.

tinyperson · 27/02/2022 09:31

Heya
Keep art as a hobby.

justaweeone · 27/02/2022 10:22

Career adviser as well, agree with the other 2 posters who are also
It's fine not to know but what you want to is to make sure you concentrate on career management skills as well as keeping pathways/ options open
They should have access to a careers adviser in school and received a guidance interview, there should also be information on the school website
Also look at virtual work experience which is so accessible

https://barclayslifeskills.com/young-people/

https://www.speakersforschools.org

https://icould.com/buzz-quiz/

https://amazingapprenticeships.com

https://nationalcareersweek.com/

https://resources.careersandenterprise.co.uk/all-resources-all-one-place

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