Where does one go for careers advice?

[PeachesMcLean]

Really feeling like I'm in the wrong career. I've been in the same thing for a few years now and on paper am doing ok, but
I'm just not sure it's for me - using my natural aptitudes etc. Feeling like a square peg in a round hole.

Where do you go to find out what you should be doing? ie, what you'd be good at?

Where did you go to college/uni? You can sometimes arrange to go back to their careers service.

(aren't you a student?)

I am sure that there is an adult's version of Connexions. Wil go and look in my course notes - doing a Level 4 in Advice and Guidance - to find out its name.

The job centre may also have access to these kinds of IAG workers and resources too.

There's a great book that might help you - What colour is my parachute? All about finding what your natural aptitudes are and a career to match etc. A lifecoach also might help you to make some changes, my dp had one for a while and it really helped him.

You aren't in England are you (profile info). Not sure if Wales has Connexions.

I know England definitely has IAG workers, via Connexions, for adults. It is partially what I will be trained to do.

Will keep looking.

I haven't been a student for 15 years and the uni is 200 miles away.

What's an IAG worker?

Meant "haven't been a student for 15 years !!

Must take a typing course too....

IAG - information, advice and guidance. Posh term for a careers or personal advisor.

have a look at this website. It is for Wales and covers adult IAG. Has some online tools to use, and a section on changing direction for adults.

Oh. AM I confusing you with someone? I thought you were a student. Religious studies or philosophy.

That'll be Peachy, who, confusingly also lives in South Wales. To be fair, she got here first...

Yes, I got confused over that too!

As I mentioned before this is kind of what I do now - although in a prison at present. But I am an IAG worker, and doing an up to date IAG NVQ course as well. So if you need any frutehr advice on where to consider looking, just shout. Off to bed now, abck tomorrow.

Thanks Hula, that does look useful. TBH I had always though Careers Wales dealt with people who were not in edcuation, training, or employment, or at the very beginning of their careers, but they seem to have revamped it so it's good to take a second look. Also, I'm probably looking for a site with a "magic wand" facility to just tell me by osmosis what I should be doing! I guess they don't exist! It's a bit depressing to be honest cos I'm only thinking like this cos I'm not settling in my new job. And that's a whole different thread!

Will take a proper look at that tomorrow though. Thanks.

Oh dear, I've had this name for 10 years now not just on MN. Peachy is wiser than me but I must think of a new name though... Any websites for that???!!!

I know what you mean PM. Chagning track mid career is strange, daunting and a bit bewildering too. I did it about three years ago, after 9 years of teaching.

I think adult version of conexions is the Learndirect helpline. Not sure how good it is though.

Some universities have really well established careers advice centres which are open to non-students for a fee.

ps. I know what you mean about feeling like a square peg in a round hole

Guardian website has some useful careers advice and the Work section on Saturdays often has interesting articles about how to change career.

There is another one - not Learn Direct - for adults. My course notes are at work though.

Learn direct are brilliant, was on the phone to them today about returning to work and changing direction (re; what sort of work I want to do), I think they cover Wales, but they are really helpful.