The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create uncertainty for the academic year 2020-21. Keep checking the latest updates from:
- Your school or college
- Qualifications Wales for coronavirus updates
- Student Finance Wales
Now is the time to start thinking about what you are going to do after your GCSEs. We can help you understand what your options are and give you some ideas to help you choose.
Get started by answering these questions
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Imagine what job you may have or where you'll be living.
Knowing what you would like to be doing in the future helps you understand what you need to do to get there.
It might help to think of it like climbing a staircase. If your goal in 5 years time is at the top of the stairs, to get there you will need to plan the first few steps.
There are people who can help you plan your next steps. Speak to:
- Parents/guardians
- Teachers
- Friends
- Careers Adviser
What are your skills and interests?
You might be good at problem solving or communicating with others. You may have a hobby but never considered turning it into a career.
Knowing what you like and what you're good at is a great way to choose which option is best for you.
Try our Job Matching Quiz to match your skills and interests to over 800 different jobs.
What are your strengths?
Knowing what your strengths are can help you think about what jobs might suit you in the future. You could be determined or have patience. You might be creative or very enthusiastic.
Try the Buzz Quiz and find out your personality type and what jobs might suit you. In under 5 minutes you can discover:
- Your strengths and what motivates you
- Some jobs linked to your personality type
- Which celebrities share your personality type
How do you prefer to learn about things?
You might prefer learning by:
- Listening to someone talk about the subject
- Being shown how to do the task
- Trying out things for yourself
- Watching tasks being done
Knowing about your style of learning can help you choose your next step. Take the VARK Questionnaire on Vark-Learn to find out how you learn best.
Explore the options
Learn what to expect at college or sixth form, what financial help you could get and more.
Jobs Growth Wales is a six months opportunity in a paid job.
Gain new skills and confidence with a traineeship. Find useful information about traineeships and how to find a training placement.
Help with CVs, application forms, personal statements, interviews, finding jobs, approaching employers and more.
Apprenticeships are a great way to gain qualifications while you work and earn a wage. Find out more about apprenticeships, search vacancies and more.
Pros and cons of self employment and where to get further support with setting up a business.
View the videos to explore your options
Take a look at what employers look for in candidates and get ideas on how to get a job.
Find out more about apprenticeships, what's involved and how to find one.
Do you have what it takes to be your own boss?
Shared stories
Having a back-up plan has helped Kira map out her future career.
Support with training and career planning has helped Ben carve out his future career.
