Help with career advice for 19yr old

[Imtoooldforallthis]

Trying to help DD 19 find a career. She is OK academically and passed college course in business which she got a distinction for. Now working in retail which she hates. She has no idea what to do, is a good allrounder but with no particular skills. She is happy to retrain, do an apprenticeship but we haven't found any in our area (Yorkshire). She is very down and we look everyday at jobs, but as she doesn't now what to do it's very difficult. Any carer advice starts with what do you lije doing, but she doesn't know.

That’s not a lot to go on.

Do you know anyone with a trade? Plumber/electrician/builder/carpenter/etc who might let her shadow them and give her an idea of what that might be like?

Can she identify why she hates retail? Is it the customers - because that rules out anything customer facing. Is it working shifts - because that rules out anything that’s shift based.

She doesn't like retail because of the shifts, she's good with customers, they love her.

And she is a girly girl and wouldn't consider a trade.

Have you tried any online careers quizzes to give her something to start with?

I think she needs to think about what she'd like her working life to look like. But also think about her interests. When you enjoy your job life is so much better.

The online quizzes are rubbish, tried several and non given any decent suggestions. I think she woukd lije to work in an office, she is happy to retrain.

What about a customer facing role in finance or an advisor, receptionist, beauty consultant in retail, beautician. She is limiting herself if she doesnt like shifts or isnt keen on a trade. Would she like to work in care, with children, animal care. Have you looked to see if there are any local volunteers groups she could join.

Does she like dealing with customers, is it just the shifts she doesn’t like with retail? She could look at trying to go into media/communications roles. Lots of dealing with customers still, it helps if she’s personable but she’ll be able to find office jobs that are Mon-Fri.

Are there any good/big pharmaceutical companies near to you OP? They might offer some internship programmes. But if not, even if she gets her foot in the door they do have great progression paths available and can sometimes pay for further training.

She would be a good receptionist. I can understand her not wanting to do retail she works every weekend, perhaps gers one day off at a weekend every three weeks, late nights, no 2 days off together. So she wants regular hours.

How about a trainee dental nurse? It's a good gateway into becoming a hygienist in the future if she fancied as well

So why not a receptionist then? Or a PA?

Conversely, what did she enjoy most at school? Would she think about doing that or similar at uni? Even OU? She'd be able to aim a lot higher then.

As someone who changed direction completely in my early 20s after discovering university wasn’t for me I can thoroughly recommend the water industry.

It’s a really varied sector with jobs from HR to on the tools, accountancy to call centres, data analysis to communications. And everything in between. And it’s a sector that’s really keen on apprenticeships / starting at the bottom and working your way up / getting in at a low level and finding your path through moving in house.

You mention you’re in Yorkshire so I’d start with Yorkshire Water. I’m pretty far away from your area but have worked in the water industry for nearly 9 years and love it, and started with absolutely zero experience. I’d be happy for you to PM me if you’d like to know specifics.

She has been looking for a year no receptionist jobs to be had. As for school she was average at everything, so nothing in particular that she liked or disliked.

Yorkshire Water sounds promising will definatly look into that.

Does she have any passions at all? Is she just "meh" about everything? That sort of apathy can be a symptom of depression, which can be super stealth as occasionally manifests without significantly low mood, just detachment and blanket not caring about much either way.

marketing? HR?

If she has a has a distinction in business, I'm sure a recruitment agency would take her on for office junior type roles. Temporary positions, but gets her foot in the door, and sometimes temps get permanent positions to avoid further recruitment costs. Good for her cv as well as references.

What part of Yorkshire are you in. Is she looking at online job search sites. Media, yorkshire tv, radio.

DD1 is heading to trades college here in Oz in yr 10-its a great place where they sample lots of different trades-"tasters" before deciding which area to do an apprenticeship in and they can change these too if they're not too far along and feel like its a bad fit..could she find anything like this somewhere and do a houseshare?. Id deffo be thinking of a move at her age if there's nothing for her locally-sounds a bit depressing at 19 to have so few options or inspiration.
DD2 always been very stem focussed/academic and is thinking engineering(eventually) but thats a long studious road for her.

Did she enjoy any particular aspects of her business course?
Are you in commuting distance from Leeds?
I work for a media agency and I know there’s a lot of agencies in Leeds. With her business course she could join as an apprentice. It’s a fun environment to work with lots of perks and good culture particularly for younger people. She’d need to have an interest in the work but it could be the start of a ‘proper’ career.

Some fabulous replies, looked at Yorkshire Water but nothing near us. Yes to near Leeds. I don't think she has depression but is certainly depressed and meh and unmotivated at times. The media agency might be worth a look, what are the actual jobs in media? Any recommendations on any particular agencies.

@Imtoooldforallthis a media agency essentially advises companies how and where to advertise. I work in client relations, but I’d advise her getting into a speciality on the digital side. Lots to choose from - PPC (ads that come up on top of google when you search), Paid Social, Analytics, SEO, Affilliates and more! Also more traditional channels like TV & radio, print and outdoor.
When I joined my company in my early 20s i thought it was amazing and genuinely really enjoyed the culture and I’d recommend your daughter look into it.
You’ve also got channel 4 in Leeds now so I would look at jobs there if she’s interested.
Feel free to give me a message if she’d like to know more.
In Leeds I’d look at dentsu and MediaCom. There’s lots of independents in Leeds too but they might not be able to facilitate an apprenticeship or take her on until she’s had some experience.

Thank you, she has applied to Channel 4 for a media apprenticeship which starts next year but hasn't heard back yet, I'll check out the recommendations you have given me.