In Year 7 you will want to start finding out about the world of work, exploring different career ideas and thinking about what you might like to do in the future. 

Scroll down to find lots of helpful advice or use these quick links to jump to topics of interest.

• Getting started
• Career ideas
• Planning ahead
• Useful websites and resources

Getting started

To start thinking about careers and school subjects to choose, you will need to ask yourself quite a few questions about yourself and what you are like.

For example:

• What sorts of things interest you and what do you enjoy?
• What sort of things can you do well?
• How keen are you on doing training and further education?
• Do members of your family or your friends think any particular careers would suit you?

Top tip: Ask people that know you well what they think are your main strengths.

Career ideas

There are lots of ways to get career ideas and it depends on how you prefer to find out things:

• Talk to people doing jobs that interest you ie, family friends and relations
• Have a chat with a Careers Adviser by webchat to get ideas of possible jobs, courses, or suitable training
• Use the eCLIPS website - go to the Careers section which gives information on specific jobs and careers linked to school subjects and use the Career Wizard tool to match careers to your interests
• Try work experience in an area which interests you. This means actually trying a job for a week or so. Why not look at the virtual work experience opportunities on our see your future...be your future page
• Listen to real people in real jobs with our career chat podcasts
• Later on, visit companies and colleges/universities to help you decide whether a subject area or career is for you
• Visit our which career? page for more helpful hints on exploring career ideas.

Top tip: Find out what careers you can do with your favourite subjects on eCLIPS. 

Explore eCLIPS Chat to an adviser Visit our see your future…be your future page

Listen to our career chat podcasts  Visit our which career? page

Planning ahead

Although career decisions may seem a way off, bear in mind that what you do now can impact your future choices so it's important to work hard at school, do your best and achieve good attendance. 

Decisions timeline:

• In Year 8/9 you will chose your options
• In Year 10 and 11 will start working towards GCSEs
• Achieving 5+ 4/5-9 grades at GCSEs gives you more options after Year 11
• You’ll be in education or training until you’re 18.

Options after Year 11 include:

• Sixth form – You can stay at school and attend sixth form and study A Levels and some sixth forms offer vocational courses
• College – Leave school and attend a college where you can study either A Levels or vocational courses i.e. IT, Sports, Public Services and Health and Social Care etc.
• Apprenticeships – You work full time and get your qualifications while you are working. Apprenticeships are found in a range of industries and take about 18 months to complete. Most employers are looking for 4/5-9 grades in GCSEs especially in English and Maths. Visit our Apprenticeships and Traineeships page for more information.

See the planner below for key dates. You don’t want to miss any!

 

Useful websites and resources

Careers research
eCLIPS - information on over 1400 job roles, Career Wizard tool and information to help you make education and work choices
National Careers Service - job profiles (click 'Explore careers') and careers advice
icould - over 1,000 short videos of people talking about their jobs, plus career articles
Careers Gateway - links to specific careers websites relating to different job roles
UCAS - explore different jobs and pathways

Personality quizzes:
Buzz Test - short test that analyses your personality to see which job might suit you
16 Personalities - tells you your personality type

 

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