I’m sitting at my desk, trying to focus on work, but I’m struggling. Our youngest collected her GCSE results this morning, a week after our middle one received her A-level results.
For many teenagers, this marks the end of a chapter in their lives and the beginning of another. What lies ahead? (In our case and likely many others, it’s straight on to finding the tent and collecting wristbands as it’s Reading Festival!).
Celebrating
Celebrate their hard work, whatever the results – we don’t reward ours with money per grade etc., but always get a pressie after their last exams as we recognise their efforts more than the results. Not downplaying the results, of course – they’re important, but they are one piece of the puzzle when building a future path.
Understanding the Results
Did your teenager achieve the grades they were aiming for? If they did, that’s fantastic. If not, remind them that grades don’t define their future and there are options. You’ll speak with and read about so many people who didn’t take exams or get the grades they needed but have successful careers and jobs they enjoy.
If your teenager didn’t get the results they hoped for, what are the options? For GCSEs, this might mean retakes or looking at vocational qualifications. For A-Levels, it could mean apprenticeships, internships, or a gap year to gain work experience.
I’d like to point out that I’m not a qualified career coach, but I’ve been through this three times now and have a lot of research and experience under my belt!
Next Steps
It’s never too early to start thinking about the following points whatever they’re doing next.
1. Build a CV
Even if your teenager doesn’t have much (or any) work experience, they can still create a CV. This should highlight academics, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, or part-time jobs. Emphasise skills like teamwork, leadership, time management, and communication. It will likely be one page.
2. Explore Career Options
Ask your teenager to think about what they enjoy doing in and out of school. They might already have a clear idea of their future career, or they might be uncertain. Either way, it’s a good idea to research different industries and job roles. I’ve listed some sites at the end of the article.
3. Networking and Experience
This might sounds daunting and unnecessary to some, but if they start building their network out it will help significantly e.g. getting in touch with family friends, joining online forums and groups, or volunteering. I recommend 16 year olds and over join LinkedIn and there are some good tips here.
4. Preparing for Job Applications
Now is an excellent time to start learning about the job application process. They should tailor their CV and cover letter to each job they apply for, highlighting relevant skills and experiences. They should also prepare for interviews. Resources like LinkedIn Learning offer courses on interview techniques, which can be very helpful.
Looking Forward
This is an exciting time, and once the feelings from results day have abated, students can reflect on their achievements, explore career options, and build a strong foundation for job searching. They’ll then be in great shape to take on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Resources
I collated these with the help of ChatGPT and have used all of them at some point over the last few years. If you want further advice or support, I highly recommend speaking to your teenager’s school or college or a qualified career coach.
Prospects: a comprehensive career website primarily aimed at students and graduates in the UK. It provides detailed profiles on various careers, including job descriptions, expected salaries, required qualifications, and career progression opportunities. It’s an excellent resource for those considering university and graduate careers.
National Careers Service: a government-run service offering a wide range of information on over 800 different job roles. It covers the qualifications needed, skills required, salary expectations, and the day-to-day duties of each role.
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service): the main platform for applying to university in the UK, but it also offers extensive information on different degree courses, entry requirements, and the careers those courses can lead to. For students considering higher education, UCAS is an essential resource.
Apprenticeships.gov.uk: the official government portal for finding apprenticeship opportunities in England. It’s a great resource for young people seeking practical experience while earning a qualification. The site details the different levels of apprenticeships, the qualifications required to apply, and the sectors available.
CareerPilot: aimed at 13-19-year-olds and offers a range of tools to explore careers and pathways. It includes information on job sectors, routes into careers, and the qualifications needed. It also has tools to help young people understand what options are available after school, such as A-Levels, vocational qualifications, and apprenticeships.
iCould: a career inspiration site that showcases different careers using real-life stories and videos. It’s particularly good for exploring careers based on interests and skills, offering quizzes like the “Buzz Quiz” to help young people discover potential career paths. It also provides information on the qualifications needed for various roles.
Target Careers: a resource for school leavers, covering everything from university courses to apprenticeships and gap years. It provides detailed career guides outlining the qualifications needed for various industries and job roles, making it useful for those considering further education and those looking to enter the workforce directly.
FutureLearn and Coursera: these platforms offer free and paid online courses from universities and institutions worldwide. They are useful for gaining new skills and understanding the qualifications and knowledge required in different career fields. Many courses come with certificates that can be valuable when applying for jobs or higher education.
Job Search Websites: these often provide detailed job descriptions with the qualifications and experience needed for specific roles. Browsing current job listings can give young people insight into the skills and qualifications employers are currently looking for.
LinkedIn: use to research companies, explore different career paths by looking at the profiles of professionals in their fields of interest, and find out what qualifications and experiences are common in various roles.
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash