CAREERS EDUCATION INFORMATION, ADVICE AND GUIDANCE Year 9 Option Choices Name: Form: The Road to your Career
2 Options at KS3: Introduction You are now about to choose which subjects you want to take as your options. This is an important decision as these subjects will eventually become your GCSEs or BTEC qualifications which will help you get a job. You are at the beginning of the road to a career, you can now choose your own direction and also which career road you want to walk down after school! This is not scary, this is exciting! You can now choose your direction and your path in life, you now have control! Choosing the right subjects now can set you up for life and make sure that the road you choose is the one that will lead you to a job you really want. This workbook will help you choose the right option subjects to make sure that you are Suitable and on the right Route to Apply for your perfect job. SOURCES OF INFORMATION ADVICE and GUIDANCE There are lots of people and places you go for information, advice and guidance. In school : your SRS teachers in careers lessons; subject teachers. Careers advisors (Liz Bryan and Rachael Warters) are in school on Monday and Thursday, they run drop in sessions at lunchtime in the Connexions Library, there are also many resources in the library and access to computers. Outside school : Discuss your ideas with your parents/carers, talk to people who are doing jobs you are interested in. Some Online resources are listed below: Connexions guide to choosing your options, this can be accessed on the web at http://www.connexions-direct.com/whichwaynow/ or you can download a copy from the school website Parent/Carer guide available from the whichwaynow website or download from the school website www.u-xplore.com/website/ Register to use the website (code 48175) or Login to use the website Lots of information about jobs including video interviews with employees and virtual tours of work places. www.cascaid.co.uk/kudos/ Register to use the website (code quizwant62) or Login to use the website. Questionnaire to help you identify suitable jobs. Lots of information about jobs, the qualifications needed and progression routes Area wide prospectus - listing all courses at Thirsk School and other schools in the area. http://nyork.futures4me.com/
3 Options at KS3: Part 1: It s all about you This workbook will help you choose the right option subjects to make sure that you are Suitable and on the right Route to Apply for your perfect job. So.let s get started! The most important thing to think about is YOU! What do you like doing? What do you dislike doing? We shall start with your hobbies or anything you like doing outside of school. Write down a minimum of 3 activities you like to do after school or in your free time. My favourite hobbies are.. 1. 2. 3. Explain here what you like about your hobbies. This could be that you prefer to be outside, or you love sporting competitions, or being creative and making music or designing things. Think carefully One reason I like each of my hobbies is - - - -
4 It is also important to think about things you do NOT like doing outside of school. Write 3 things you do not like doing here 1. 2. 3. What is it about these activities you do not like? 3 reasons why I do not like doing these things are... What do you like doing in school? Now it s time to think about your favourite subjects! Before we begin choosing we need to remember that some subjects are compulsory (this means you will all have to take these subjects in your options) This is because these are the MOST important subjects for all employers. These are MATHS, ENGLISH, SCIENCE and SRS For each of the subjects listed below rate them as either GREEN (I like) AMBER (not sure) or RED (I dislike)... MATHS - Green, Amber or Red? Write one reason why you think it is here... SCIENCE - Green, Amber or Red? Write one reason why you think it is here... ENGLISH - Green, Amber or Red? Write one reason why you think it is here...
5 RS - Green, Amber or Red? Write one reason why you think it is here... Now write down 4 subjects you definitely like here (or as many as you can) For each subject write down a reason why, but you CANNOT use these two reasons (a) Because my friends are in that class. (b) Because I like the teacher. Try and think of a reason that has something to do with what you actually do in that subject. Subject Why? 1 2 3 4 5 Write down 3 subjects you are sure you do not like here. You can t use these two reasons: I don t like the people in the class I don t like the teacher Subject Why? 1 2 3 Now write down any subjects that you have not made up your mind about yet... You may not have studied them before (e.g. Business Studies; Heath & Social Care; Catering...)
6 So now you know what subjects you like and dislike. So why not end here? These could be your options! Well yes they could, but there is more to think about than that. Remember, your options are the first steps on the road to a career. The subjects you take now could help you get the job you want after school. They could also make it harder for you to get a job if they are the wrong subjects! This example will explain what this means. Meet Kashelle. Read her Hero Card closely. Kashelle knows she wants to work in the Medicine, Law Education and Care Industry. She heard that being a Doctor is really well paid. She is wondering whether she is suitable for this job. Let s help her find out. Watch the video, and then answer the questions. What subjects does this doctor say you need to get into his job? Stuart Wilkinson Doctor Does this match Kashelle s likes and dislikes? Say why? Or why not? Rate this match as Red, Amber or Green here.
7 What qualifications and training does this doctor say you need to complete before becoming a doctor? Does this match Kashelle s wants and desire for a job role? Rate this match Red, Amber or Green Explain why you think this... Will what the job involves please Kashelle? Rate this match Red, Amber or Green Explain why you think this OK! Kashelle agrees with you She now thinks that looking after children may be a job she would like. Look at her Hero card again and as you listen to the Nursery Nurse explain about her job, see what information matches Kashelle s likes and desires... Heather Wilson Nursery Nurse Which of Kashelle s favourite subjects match this job s subject requirements for this job? Are any of her least favourite subjects included in the subject requirements for this job? Does she have the right skills for this job? Say why? Or why not? So in your opinion is this job rated Green, Amber or Red for Kashelle?
8 Kashelle agrees.. So now, listen to the clip carefully again and then write down all the subjects Kashelle NEEDS to include as her Year 9 subject options to make sure she gets this job when she leaves school. What grades does she need at GCSE level to get this job? What should she do when she leaves school? 1) Go straight into work? 2) apprenticeship? 3) go to college? What if Kashelle has taken all the subjects she needed to become a Doctor only to discover that when she left school she still had 10 more years training? Before you start investigating jobs, lets see what you want out of your job. This is called working out your Job Needs and Desires Answer these questions honestly and truthfully circle the statement that is the most important to you. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 The job is well paid like to travel to lots of places in your job working inside a creative job a job that was focussed on literacy (reading and writing) meeting people and working as part of a team job satisfaction out of helping others run your own business one day the job is enjoyable you prefer to work in one place Working outside a more practical job a job that was focussed on numeracy (numbers) working alone Job satisfaction out of making money happy working for someone else in a job you like
9 Which of these plans after school would you definitely consider if your dream job required this? A Levels or Advanced Diploma (2 years) Consider Not Consider College training (full time) College training (part time) Apprenticeship Work Experience University Degree Post Graduate Degree (after Uni) Excellent work! You have recorded your favourite subjects, favourite hobbies and also investigated your future job needs and desires. it is a good idea to re-cap on your choices so far. Fill in the following details for your own Hero Card HERO CARD Favourite Subjects Least Favourite Subjects Name: Top Personal Skills Job Needs and Desires Age:
10 Options at KS3: Part 2: Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is VITAL when choosing a future job. Learning which skills employers look for and also what skills you already have is also very important. In this task see if you can match the correct Key skill to each definition. Only ONE skill will fit each definition. You should end up with NO extras by the end! 1. Independent 2. Natural Leader with initiative 6. Risk Management 11. Problem solving 7. Numeracy Skills 3. Interpersonal skills 8. Motivated and Positive 12. Team Worker 13. Good Communicator 4. Literacy skills 5. Negotiating and influencing 9. Excellent time management 14. Organised 10. Creative A B C D E F G H I J K L M N You are good at, and like working with other people You recognise dangers and are good at planning for them, dealing with them or overcoming them. You have the willingness to make the first move and be the first to act if you think something needs doing. You are excellent at sorting out what needs to be done and what is the most logical order of doing things is. You are able to stay calm and quickly work out ways of overcoming obstacles or difficulties in order to finish a task. You are good at using your imagination to come up with original ideas or can make something interesting and new. You are able to work alone with ease and do not always need someone telling you what needs to be done. You have excellent reading and writing skills and are creative with the written word. You enjoy and are skilled at meeting people, forming positive relationships and getting on with others. You are very good at calculations and at solving mathematical issues. You find it easy to work to deadlines and you always have tasks completed on time. You offer ideas and are talented at convincing others whilst you always aim to reach a mutual agreement. You express yourself clearly and always make sure that everyone clearly understands what you want or mean. You believe in yourself and always remain optimistic and have a can do attitude.
11 Great! So now you know some useful skills vocabulary. As I am sure you know employers don t just look for qualifications but they also look for these personal skills. Want proof? Watch the video about the job of a Television runner. Listen carefully and then answer the questions below. Michelle Ackerly Television Runner What skills does this person mention are important in her job role? Look at the What will I need section and see how many of the skills needed to become a TV Runner at the BBC you identified So let s get back to you. It is important to understand what you personal skills are. Here is one way you can find out. You can start by looking at your hobbies. Meet Bryan Bryan is captain of a local football team. He trains 4 times a week and plays a match every Saturday. He always attends school and hands all of his work in on time. His team are currently 2nd in the local league. What personal skills do you think Bryan is using and explain how below For example Bryan must be organised as he is in charge of organising his team on the pitch. Skill 1: Explain how this is shown by captaining a football team:
12 Skill 2: Explain how this is shown by captaining a football team: Skill 3: Explain how this is shown by captaining a football team: So let s get back to you! Have a look at your hobbies and then write down 4 skills that your hobbies show that you have. Don t forget to write a brief explanation to prove you have these skills underneath. Go for it! Skill Prove it! 1 2 3 4 Now think about all the things you do in school. You might be involved in some clubs or activities at school, you might be in a sports team or you might enjoy certain subjects Think carefully and write down 5 skills you use at school... 1 2 3 4 5
13 For each of these skills listed below rate yourself from 1 to 5 SKILL Excellent Fair Need to improve Teamwork Creative Organised Literacy Skills Numeracy Skills Problem Solving Good Communicator Managing Risks Negotiating and influencing Interpersonal Skills Independent Excellent Time Management Motivated and Positive Natural Leader showing initiative 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent! You now know your favourite subjects, your job wants and desires and now you know your personal skills.
14 Welcome to the final part Part 3! If you are here then you ready for the Options Adventure Fill in your Hero Card details here (you may refer back to Parts 1 & 2). HERO CARD Favourite Subjects Least Favourite Subjects Name: Top Personal Skills Job Needs and Desires Age: We have just one last section to fill in on your Hero Card. This is called the After School Considerations section. This is where you write down all the different ways of getting into a job that you would consider or not consider. Watch the How to choose my options video closely and answer the following questions... 1. When are the times when you can choose your options? 2. Where are the places that you can choose to further your education and training? 3. What types of courses are available?
15 4. What qualifications are available to you in the future? 5. Would you consider taking these types of qualifications after school? 6. List some of the ways you might be assessed. 7. What else might you want to consider when choosing your options? 8. Who else can help you with choosing your options? OK! Now let s finish off your Hero Card Click on the Options for ages 13 16 icon, then read through the different options available to you. Write down all the different routes you would personally consider after school. Take into consideration HOW you like to learn and WHAT you want to do in future.
16 Options at KS3: Part 3 HOMEWORK Independent research Now it s time to investigate what kinds of jobs you would like to do after school and what subjects you would need to opt for to help you get your perfect job. Knowing this will help you choose your options and get you started on the road to a career that you actually want! In this section you will use the u-xplore website to investigate some Industry Sectors. Log in to the u-xplore website at www.uxplore.com. There are 14 industry sectors to choose from, simply click into each industry sector and click on the Video Intro for each. 1 INDUSTRY SECTOR Like what you saw? GREEN! (Yes) AMBER! (not sure) RED! (no) Is this the industry sector for you? Rate this sector as: Explain what jobs, activities or working environments you likes, were unsure about or did not like here...
17 2 INDUSTRY SECTOR Like what you saw? GREEN! (Yes) AMBER! (not sure) RED! (no) Is this the industry sector for you? Rate this sector as: Explain what jobs, activities or working environments you likes, were unsure about or did not like here... 3 INDUSTRY SECTOR Like what you saw? GREEN! (Yes) AMBER! (not sure) RED! (no) Is this the industry sector for you? Rate this sector as: Explain what jobs, activities or working environments you likes, were unsure about or did not like here... So what was your favourite Industry Sector?
18 Awesome! You now have one industry sector that interests you. So let s go and explore that industry sector to see if there are any jobs that interest you too. Now choose one job title listed in the Job Bank that interests you the most and answer the following questions... Choice 1 What Job Title did you choose? What Skills are useful for this job? Do you have these skills listed in your TOP 5 skills? What subjects or qualifications are required for this job? Are these subjects listed in your TOP 5 subjects? Rate this job title... Stay in the Job Bank section and search all of the jobs listed. Choose 2 more job titles you think you would also find interesting. Research each of these 2 jobs and answer the questions below... Choice 2 What Job Title did you choose? What Skills are useful for this job? Do you have these skills listed in your TOP 5 skills? What subjects or qualifications are required for this job? Are these subjects listed in your TOP 5 subjects? Rate this job title...
19 Choice 3 What Job Title did you choose? What Skills are useful for this job? Do you have these skills listed in your TOP 5 skills? What subjects or qualifications are required for this job? Are these subjects listed in your TOP 5 subjects? Rate this job title... So, just looking at the jobs you have researched so far write down a list of subjects that you have discovered are required here Now keep exploring until you find 3 jobs that you really want. Make a note of the subjects that are required. These could be your option subjects! My favourite job roles: Number 1: What is the job title and what are the subjects and qualifications that you will need for this job role? My favourite job roles: Number 2: What is the job title and what are the subjects and qualifications that you will need for this job role? My favourite job roles: Number 3: What is the job title and what are the subjects and qualifications that you will need for this job role?
20 NOTES: