Helping your child with their career
Leaving school can be a difficult experience as many people struggle to know what job to apply for and what skills can help them find the work that they are looking for. As a parent, your support is vital in helping your child choose a career that will suit their skills as well as challenging and motivating them.
Subject choices that pupils make at school can play an important part in which career they will end up doing. Your advice could be crucial in helping your child to make the right decisions. Secondary schools offer free careers advice to students as they come towards the end of their time in school. You should encourage your child to see the careers adviser at the school and make best use of the information available.Different Options
Once your child has left school, they have several options to consider:
- Higher Education – Many pupils choose to go on to study for a degree. If your child is interested in a profession such as becoming a doctor, lawyer, architect or accountant then this is the best option
- Further Education – Many useful courses are offered by Further Education Colleges, for training in areas such as hairdressing and joinery. HNC/HND courses can also be a stepping stone towards gaining a degree.
- Training Opportunities – Modern apprenticeships can be a great way of getting straight into a career
- New Deal – If your child has been unemployed for a while, the New Deal programme can be a useful tool to get them into work.
For children with additional support needs extra help is available from both Universities and Colleges to help them achieve the qualifications that they need.
Some of the main issues to consider are how to prepare for interviews and fill in application forms as well as looking at the best ways that your child can build their own CV so that they can present themselves to employers in a way that highlights all their skills. The Careers Scotland website offers good advice and information on how to help with all of this.
