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Options, Decisions, Choices, Opportunities…when do I fit in the parties?Many of you will be at certain stages of your career planning. There is a lot of information and advice available and a lot to think about.
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It may seem like a lifetime away, but believe me, time flies when you’re having fun. So whilst you’re planning the next weekends events, spare a thought for your future.
No matter what stage you’re at, teachers, parents and careers advisers will all be reminding you of Action Plans, Careers Interviews or Records of Achievement and many other things. Although it may all seem like a mystery or a waste of time at the moment, they are nagging you for a very good reason. The choices you make now can have a massive impact on what you will be doing in the future.
Maybe you don’t think that you are bothered about these things, maybe you don’t want to be a high flying executive, because right now all you want to do is go out ‘larging it’ with your mates. Fair enough but bear this in mind. In the future, a night out at a club doesn’t come cheap. All your mates are having a good time at Ministry of Sound and you’re sat at home because you’re skint. Benefits or a decent wage, it’s your choice. Start planning & making decisions now with help, it’s much easier.
You can see your Careers / Connexions Adviser at school or college or alternatively you can visit your local careers centre. Careers / Connexions Advisers can help you to look at different types of jobs and opportunities. They can help you make choices that will affect your future and explain things that you might be totally confused about, like the different options (employment, training and further education) and qualifications to choose from. Remember, not all jobs are as glamorous as they may seem so it’s important to get the inside story and as much information as possible.
With everybody expecting you to make serious decisions about your future sometimes there are other things that you might also need help with.. Your career won’t be the only thing that you will be making decisions about. Relationships, health matters, accommodation and many other issues might be affecting your life at the moment. More information means more choice and opportunity for you as an individual. Careers / Connexions Services can often provide you with helpline information or contact numbers. In nearly all cases information and confidential advice is freely available. Below are a few of the National contact numbers who should be able to provide you with details of local help available.
| The Children’s Legal Centre | Advice Line 01206 872466 | |
| An independent national organisation concerned with how law
and policy affect children. Publications available, some are available free of charge to children & young people. |
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| Childline | 0800 1111 | |
| A free 24 hour confidential line that children and young people can ring if they are in trouble or danger or need advice. | ||
| Anti-Bullying Campaign | Helpline 020 7378 1446 9.30am - 5.30pm Mon-Fri | |
| Bullying Online Website | ||
| Talk 2 | 0321 496884 12 - 2pm Mon-Fri | |
| A confidential advice service for young people (13-25yrs) intending to deal with issues such as health matters, benefits, further education, travel, employment, grants, justice etc. | ||
| National Drugs Helpline | 0800 776600 24 hour service | |
| Women’s Aid Federation | 0345 023468 email: wafe@wafe.co.uk | |
| Support and information for women suffering domestic violence and related issues. | ||
| Gamblers Anonymous | 020 73843040 | |
| 24 Hour helpline providing information on group therapy and advice on the best ways to stop gambling. | ||
| Drinkline Youth | 0345 320202 Mon - Fri 11am-11pm (0990 143 275 - 24 hour dail-and-listen) | |
| Confidential information and advice and local contacts for one to one help. | ||
| Family Planning Association | 020 78374044 Mon - Fri 9am-7pm | |
| Information and advice on contraception and pregnancy and related issues. | ||
| National Lesbian & Gay Switchboard | 020 78377324 | |
| Line open 24 hours | ||
| DDA Information Line | 0345 622 644 | |
| Information on the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 | ||
It doesn’t matter what you are making decisions about, the more information you have the better. As a young person a lot of information and advice is freely available and all you have to do is ask. So, next time you’re passing your Careers / Connexions centre or Careers / Connexions library at school / college go in and have a look around. Pick up leaflets, use the computers, even surf the web for careers information and have a chat to a member of staff. At the end of the day, it will cost you nothing, so what have you got to lose?
Jennie Glitherow
Lincolnshire Careers and Guidance Services Ltd.
To get back to this page to use the links on it - enter http://www.careers-gateway.co.uk/mainpage.htm and click on Magazine then Where to go for help and advice.
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