FUTURE MATTERS 16. '...I still don't know what I want to do' THIS MATTERS

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1 I s s u e 1 FUTURE MATTERS Y o u r c a r e e r s n e w s l e t t e r 16 THIS MATTERS It's all free and it's all out there for you but without knowing the full range of options available to you at 16, it might be difficult to make the right choice. In this issue, we'll have a look at the main routes you can take after Year 11. P A G E 2 P A G E 2 '...I still don't know what I want to do' PERSONAL STATEMENT College? Sixth Form? Apprenticeship? Whichever option you are going for, you will first need to persuade the provider that you are THE ONE. So let's have a look at how to ace your personal statement... P A G E 3 Sounds familiar? The time to apply for your post 16 options is approaching fast yet you still don't know what you will do after Year 11? Relax - we've got you covered. Take a look at some tips on how to decide on your next steps. Who knows? You may even discover what your dream job is... P A G E 5

2 16 Whatever your future plans are - whether you prefer to indulge in academic study, get your hands on practical tasks studying for a vocational qualification or dive straight into the world of work, there is an option for everyone. So let's have a look at what's out there on the post-16 market: SIXTH FORM/SIXTH FORM COLLEGE What Here, you can study for a range of academic qualifications such as A levels and some vocational ones such as BTECs or a combination of the two. FURTHER EDUCATION COLLEGE What FE colleges offer practical courses in different subjects. You can choose from courses at different level to study for qualifications in sport, health & social care, art, construction, engineering, IT, animal care or music to name but a few. APPRENTICESHIP What Very much like a job - you will work for an employer, earn a salary while developing jobspecific skills and studying towards relevant qualifications such as NVQs or BTECs. Why WORK WITH TRAINING A good option for those who want to progress to university or higher and degree apprenticeship. Also for those who are not sure what to do in the future but want to develop further knowledge in the subjects that interest them. Why This could be for you if you prefer to learn in a hands-on, practical way and know what job or job sector you would like to get into. You will develop skills for a specific industry and can gain qualifications needed to progress to higher education. Why If you feel ready to enter the world of work and know what you want to do, here is a great opportunity to earn while you learn. If this option appeals to you but you need to develop some skills first, you could start by doing a traineeship. Where You could stay at your school's Sixth Form or move on to another one. Some of the Sixth Forms in your local area are: Joseph Rowntree Sixth Form, St Peter's Sixth Form, All Saints Sixth Form, Ripon Grammar or Thirsk Sixth Form. Where You could choose to study at a general FE college such as York College or Harrogate College, or one of the specialist colleges, e.g. Askham Bryan, Bishop Burton College or the Army preparation college - AFC Harrogate. Where Apprenticeships are offered in a number of job-roles across different sectors. You can find them advertised on employers' own websites, colleges' websites or on apprenticeship search websites such as 'GET IN GO FAR'. You can choose to dive straight into employment or even start your own business! If you are prepared to work or volunteer for a minimum of 20 hours per week and study part-time towards an accredited qualification, this could be a great option for you. P A G E 2

3 P E R S O N A L S T A T E M E N T THIS MATTERS You might be asking yourself why all the fuss about writing a personal statement. At the end of the day, it's nothing more than a factual account of who you are, what you want to do and why. Sounds easy, right? Perhaps. But the reality is that for most people, a personal statement is the hardest part of completing an application. This is usually because, no matter how confident we are, most of us find it difficult to brag about ourselves. And that's what a personal statement is all about - bragging. And while usually frown upon is other situations, in your personal statement, being bold about your skills, personal attributes and achievements is what can make or break it when applying for your dream course, apprenticeship or job. STRUCTURE You have some freedom here but, however you want to structure your personal statement, make sure the information flows in a logical order to make it an easy and informative read. You could try the following format: Introduction Who are you? Which school do you go to? Is there anything that makes you stand out? For example: "My name is Joe Bloggs and I am head boy at Gumthorpe Grange. I am a diligent student and also good at sport. I am a captain of the Rugby team and play for the county. " The course - why do you want to study this subject? What course/courses are you applying for? Why does it interest you? How did you become interested in this subject area? Here, you should also write about your longterm career plans (if you have them) and explain why you think studying your chosen subject will help you achieve your goal. Don't worry if you don't have any specific career in mind just yet - you can just write about your passion for the subject you want to study and how you want to develop further skills and knowledge in this area. In this section, you need to convey your passion for the subject and show your dedication to study it. Your skills and achievements Is there a GCSE subject that you are particularly good at or achieved/are predicted a high grade in? Did you get any awards such as Duke of Edinburgh? You could also write about your achievements outside of school. Is there anything that you did and are particularly proud of? Do/did you get praised for your personal qualities such as being caring, punctual, reliable, etc? Work experience Write about any work experience, job or voluntary work you do or did in the past. If you didn't do any of the above, you could also include activities such as helping others with their work or daily duties. Maybe you help looking after or supervise your siblings or help an elderly person with their shopping or other activities of daily living? Whatever you write about, you should think and write about the skills you developed through these activities and how they can help you in your studies. Your hobbies Here, you can include anything that you do in your spare time - no matter how small you think it is. This is your chance to tell the admissions team or employer a bit about your personality. Additionally, writing about your hobbies is another opportunity for you to showcase the skills you might have and which could make you a strong performer on the course you are applying for. Ending Finish on a positive note and reiterate how much you are excited about the prospect of studying your chosen subject. Don't forget to thank them for considering your application. voilà! Personal statement is a short essay (up to one A4 page) where you present your interests, skills, experience and plans for the future as well as demonstrating your enthusiasm for the subject you want to study. Its purpose is to persuade a college, Sixth Form or university admissions team that you are the right candidate for the course. The principles and structure of a personal statement are the same as those for a supporting information section or a covering letter that is submitted alongside an apprenticeship and job application. TIPS FOR WRITING Start early - it takes time! Even if you are not sure yet what courses you will be applying for, you could draft the sections about your skills & achievements, hobbies, work experience and your career plans. Ask someone else like your parent, teacher or your Careers Adviser to read through it. Your school Careers Advisers are happy to help with writing your statement - just ask Mr Winder to book an appointment for you. Use one of the online guides, e.g: P A G E 3

4 C A R E E R IN THE SPOTLIGHT AGRONOMIST With traditional farming becoming a relic of the past and when the pressure on finding effective ways to ensure the sustainability of food resources is growing rapidly, agriculture is becoming an increasingly complex industry with more and more highly-skilled specialists required. So if you are interested in agriculture and have a flair for sciences, a career as an Agronomist might be something for you. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED? You will normally need a degree in Agriculture or a life science such as Biology or Biochemistry. Additionally, BASIS (Basic Agricultural And Social Improvement Schemes) and FACTS (Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme) are essential qualifications for this role but are usually taken as part of 'on the job' training. An Agronomist advises farmers on crop production. Traditionally this has involved advice on crop protection, varieties, rotations and soil management. But in recent years, agronomy has evolved into a much more scientific process and increasingly, Agronomists are assisting with issues such as agrienvironmetal schemes, nutrient management plans, precision farming techniques and cross compliance. The role involves working closely with farmers and tailoring plans to their individual requirements and monitoring the financial impact of the changes that they propose. ( WHAT SKILLS DO I NEED? To succeed as an Agronomist you need to be a patient, methodical and practical person, but a sound academic knowledge in science and agriculture is also required. You also need skills in: Research Analysis Communication - both verbal and written Computer literacy WHICH POST 16 OPTIONS SHOULD I CHOOSE? To study for a degree that could lead to a career as an Agronomist, you will typically need at least one science A level, for example: Biology, Human Biology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Chemistry or Physics. You may also choose to study for a BTEC in Applied Science or Agriculture. WORK ENVIRONMENT Agronomists normally work between 8 am and 5 pm but at times, might be required to work out of hours. There are typically plenty of outdoors tasks involved and you might be required to wear protective clothing. You may also spend some time in a laboratory conducting experiments. HOW MUCH CAN I EARN? As with any other work area, salary will depend on the employer, the range of duties, location, experience and qualifications held, but typically, earnings in the range from 20,000 for a new starter, through 35,000 for experienced Agronomist to around 50,000 for a senior one can be expected. P A G E 4

5 '...I still don't know what I want to do' Hearing everyone around talking about the post 16 options they are applying for and with the 'what job do you want to do' question popping up increasingly often can be somewhat anxiety provoking, especially if you are one of those students who are not sure what career they want to pursue. While this is not unusual and, in fact, at 16, you don't necessarily need to have your long-term career plan precisely laid out, there are some steps you could take now to help you decide which route to take after Year 11. Start by working through the following questions and complete the suggested steps to help you answer them: WHERE AM I NOW? What are my interests, skills, strengths and personal attributes? HOW CAN I FIND OUT? - think about the subjects in school that interest you or/and you are good at - think about your hobbies and personal interests - talk to the people you trust and who know you well, e.g. teachers, parents - talk to your school Careers Adviser - complete an online career test, e.g: THE BUZZ QUIZ CAREER PILOT QUIZ SKILLS HEALTH CHECK START PROFILE WHERE DO I WANT TO BE? What is that I want to be doing in 5 years time? What is important to me - high income? job satisfaction? location? working hours? working conditions? HOW CAN I FIND OUT? - try to get some hands-on experience, e.g. through volunteering or a part-time job - speak to people in different fields of work about the job they do - attend career events - speak to your Careers Adviser - explore careers online. Here are some websites to get you started: CAREER PILOT CAREERS BOX UCAS NATIONAL CAREERS SERVICE HOW AM I GOING TO GET THERE? What course, apprenticeship or job will help me get to where I want to be? HOW CAN I FIND OUT? - explore job profiles online to find out about all the possible routes - check colleges or sixth forms online prospectuses to find out what courses they offer - attend open days at colleges and sixth forms - speak to your Careers Advisers in school to help you choose the route aligned with your personal goals and career plans THINGS TO REMEMBER DON'T PANIC! You are not alone - deciding what to do after Year 11 is not an easy matter and many students find it difficult, but you will get support from your teachers, parents and your Careers Advisers to help you choose the right path. BE PROACTIVE Choosing your post 16 options is a process and, by the end of Year 11, most students are able to make an informed decision about what to do next. However, you need to show initiative in learning about yourself, exploring your options and seeking help and guidance from other people. KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN If you have a couple of post 16 options in mind but are not sure which one to pursue, apply for all of them and continue your careers exploration - you can make your final decision later. STAY ON TOP OF YOUR LEARNING There is a post 16 option for every student but the higher your grades, the more options you will have to choose from, so stay focused and try to get the best GCSE grades you can. PRIORITISE YOUR SKILLS AND INTERESTS Depending on your situation, you might not have to make an actual career choice yet. The key is to discover what you are good at and what do you love to do so that you can develop those interests and skills. P A G E 5

6 CAREERS OPEN EVENTS Open Days, Evenings and Taster Days at colleges and Sixth Forms are now in full swing so make sure you keep on the top of your game and make time to attend one or more of these events. They provide a great opportunity to learn more about the courses offered by different providers, and, what is also important, you will get a chance to check if the facilities and the general atmosphere of the college or sixth form that you are considering appeal to you - something that might be difficult to gauge when just looking at their websites. Look out for the Open Events poster displayed in your school but also be sure to check the websites of the providers that you are considering - there, you will find detailed information about any forthcoming events and check if you need to book your place. info board USEFUL WEBSITES CAREER SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOLS JOB INFORMATION POST 16 OPTIONS Your school has recently partnered with the Careers & Enterprise Company. Their role is to help students explore the world of work through encounters with employers and people who work in different industries. They will help us identify the people and businesses who will come to our school to talk to you about the realms of getting into and working in different professions. You can even get a business mentor who will coach you to help you steer your learning and activities towards achieving your career goals! Speak to your Careers Advisers if you want to find out more about these opportunities. APPRENTICESHIPS UNIVERSITY COURSES is an independent careers guidance company that works with your school to help you achieve your career goals. YOUR CAREERS ADVISERS ARE: HOW CAN YOU FIND US? We are in school every Thursday so if you would like to book an appointment, speak to your form tutor or, if you are in Year 11 - to Mr Winder. Our office is based in Business Studies corridor. Suzanne Magda If you have a quick query you can also us at: m.mucha@easingwold.outwood.com s.mason@easingwold.outwood.com HOW CAN WE HELP? The support we will offer you will be tailored to your individual needs. This might be for example: - support with identifying your skills, strengths and personal attributes - help with exploring different careers and deciding which of them could be the right option for you - support with choosing your post 16 options - assistance with making a college, apprenticeship or job application - help with choosing your GCSE or A level subjects - interview preparation - information about education, training and work opportunities WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU COME TO YOUR CAREERS MEETING? It's an informal meeting where we will offer your practical support with things like applications or searching for opportunities, or talk about your career ideas (don't worry if you don't have any!) and, together, try to develop an action plan to help you move on. DID YOU KNOW? Your school now has its own section on CareersInc website where you can find loads of vital careers information: P A G E 6