Careers and the Future

Working out, or confirming, what you want to do in the future, and making plans towards that, is an important part of your time in sixth form.  Students are often at different stages and whilst some start off with certainty, many are not sure what they want to do.  Even if you are certain, we’d advise you to keep an open mind and make sure you research broadly so you can be confident of your decision. For some students you might love a subject, and want to study it in the future, but you find the emphasis on working out your career path to be stressful.  Plenty of students do go to university to study a subject they love, without being sure of a career, so that is fine.  However, we want you to be able to carry out good research, because you will be in a better position at university if you have been used to researching careers beforehand.

Obviously for those who are looking to go straight into an apprenticeship, it is important that you have researched your career area well.  You will also need to understand how to sell yourself and work through the application process. There are a variety of sources of advice to help below. We will also be looking at lesser-known career areas.  Everyone has an idea of what a teacher or nurse does, or what our parents or family members do.  However, do you know what jobs in property look like, or what an actuary does if you don’t know someone in that career?  We will therefore look at some of those jobs over the course of Year 12.

Your work experience, or the work experience programmes available at school, should also help.

Sources of Research, Advice and Different Starting Points

The Unifrog platform is a key starting point for careers and university choices.  You will be introduced to it early in Year 12, and use it, during form times. Parents can also access it and we will be messaging you with information about how to do that.

Unifrog can also help you think about work experience, volunteering and all the options available to you after school, from going abroad to university, to gap year possibilities.  It will help you with advice on apprenticeships and applications for them.  This might include building up your skills and competencies, or preparing your CV and covering letter.

Beyond Unifrog, you might also want to look at the ideas below, depending on what your question is. The UCAS website has also become a comprehensive source of advice and information – for careers and apprenticeships as well as university, so look there too.

"I have no idea what I want to do after Sixth Form"

  • Look at the ideas in Unifrog from their personality traits questionnaires and other suggestions.
  • A similar set of resources is also available on the UCAS website.
  • Have a look at  the Start website which will make suggestions based on the interests and characteristics you put down.  It’s available on the following link: Start – My profile (startprofile.com)(opens in new tab)
  • For a more detailed assessment, and some really useful extras, register for Prospects, using this link: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/myprospects_login.htm(opens in new tab)
  • For a quicker but interesting effort, have a look this Careers Coach which shows you interesting information about particular jobs – like how many jobs there are in these fields and what pay is like.
  • Once you have found some ideas, book an appointment with the careers adviser by emailing Mrs Bromwich (kalcock@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk).
  • Try reading the book:  ‘What colour is your Parachute’ which helps you to think about what you are suited for (borrow from Mrs Sargeant).
  • In Year 13, arrange a mock interview for the area you are interested in (speak to Mr Flett/Mrs Sargeant)

"I have some ideas about what I want to do, but need to research more"

If there is a professional body in that area (eg. engineering, psychology, accountancy), look up the body on Google and see what careers advice they have.

Speak with a teacher or someone else you know about that area of work.

If you want some work experience but don’t know who to ask, email Mrs Bromwich and ask to see her. Make an appointment through kalcock@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

In Year 13, arrange a mock interview for the area you are interested in (speak to Mr Flett/Mrs Sargeant)

"How do I research University Courses?"

We will look at this in detail in June of Year 12, but if you want to get ahead and look earlier:

Use this UCAS Course search(opens in new tab) –  When you get onto the page, go to the Orange ‘Browse’ Section on the right. When you find a course you are interested in, it will help link you to the university website for that course. You may also be interested in the ‘Entry Requirements’ for the course.

We have a database of former students and the courses they have gone to do (ask Mrs Sargeant).

"I’m wondering where my university course might lead me"

The websites of careers services at universities can be really useful.

This link helps you to see what degrees people did to get into particular areas of work.  So if you are thinking how might I get into ‘the retail business’ or ‘accountancy’ or ‘health service planning’, you can look at case studies from people in those jobs.  They also sometimes give you their own tips on how to get there. http://careers.dept.shef.ac.uk/casestudies/index.php(opens in new tab)

You could also look at ‘careers with my degree’ – http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/careers/students/degree(opens in new tab)

"How do I find out more about Apprenticeships?"

In person, you will be able to meet employers at the Highfields Careers Fair on Wednesday 23 October 2024.

We will also be hosting an Apprenticeship Evening, when you will be able to meet a group of employers and former students who have taken on apprenticeships of different types, to listen to and talk with.

You will watch some interviews we have had with former students, talking about their experience of apprenticeships, for example degree apprenticeships with Jaguar Land Rover and Fujitsu, or a student who took up a job with a local estate agent.

We recommended looking through the following websites.

GOV.UK – Find an apprenticeship(opens in new tab) – The main place for finding an apprenticeship, it contains a list of all current vacancies.

Skills for Careers(opens in new tab) – A local agency in Chesterfield which looks to help you find apprenticeships in different areas.  It shows local vacancies and explains how it will support you.

The Apprenticeship Guide(opens in new tab) – This site helps you think more about the type of work you might like.

If you would like to talk to them, we also have former students who can talk to you about their apprenticeships.

Be clear about the difference between Higher Apprenticeships and Apprenticeships.

Social Media and Employability

Remember that at some point, social media may increase or decrease your chances of getting a job. Have a look at this advice, and bear it in mind during Sixth Form, and after you leave school.

Higher Education Programme

In the summer term, the Higher Education Programme will include:

  • a visit two different universities (which are likely to be the University of Birmingham on Friday 20 June 2025 (date tbc) and Lincoln University or Nottingham Trent University in early July).
  • a Higher Education Evening on Thursday 12 June 2025.
  • UCAS Day when we will have returning students to talk with you, as well as other advice on applications and research
  • the opportunity to carry out more research and plan your personal statements.

During the pandemic we created a Higher Education Evening online.  If you miss the evening in person, there is still some relevant information here: Higher Education Evening online

Local outreach programmes from Sheffield and Nottingham Universities

Local universities set up programmes where students go in to the universities for a few days over the course of a year, to experience university life, go to some lectures and talk with existing students. These are primarily targeted at students who come from families where parents have not been to university, or where household income is low, but some extend to comprehensive schools more generally. Over the last few years students have gone on to Medicine, Dentistry and Social Sciences courses, but others exist, for example in Engineering.

University of Sheffield

The Discover programme supports participants throughout Year 12 and 13 in raising aspirations and exploring Higher Education study. As well as general workshops and events, the programme is split into six subject and career pathways that offer a unique experience and specialist support. Discover Arts and Humanities, Discover Law, Discover Social Sciences, Discover STEM, SOAMS (Sheffield’s Outreach and Access to Medicine Scheme). Applications open in October. Click here for more information.

University of Nottingham

Ambition Nottingham is a free two year scheme for Y12 students and provides post-16 support as you progress through sixth form on to higher education. The activities support progression and application to a university of your choice. Examples of past activities: Course taster events, revision skills, subject masterclasses, workshops.

Applications for Pathways to Law, STEM, Medicine and Banking & Finance are also available to build essential knowledge, skills and confidence required to go on to higher education and the world of work. All programmes offer work placements, mentoring and networking opportunities.

Ambition Nottingham Applications open October 2024 and close early December 2024 Nottingham University and Sutton Trust Pathways Programme Applications open in September and close in October. Click here for more information.

Sutton Trust Summer Schools

Applications open Early January 2025 Selective applications – based on background and achievement.  Free places in July and August Apply individually – school verify applications afterwards. Based at Cambridge, Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh, Imperial College, Kings College St Andrews, UCL, Royal Veterinary College and Nottingham University Wide subject range: English, Maths Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Music, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Law, Maths, Computer Science, Engineering, History, Geography. Click here for more information.