What Job Should I Do When I Leave School?
What an exciting, overwhelming, and puzzling question.
If you don’t already know the career path you want to pursue when you leave school, you’re not alone. Some people are blessed with a vocation, while other people have to work at figuring out what they want to do with their lives.
Plus - everyone has an opinion!
We know everyone will be trying to solve this school leavers dilemma. And while your family and friends are well-meaning, it can get a little stressful trying to come up with the right answer that suits you, with everybody else's suggestions flying at you. If you don’t know what job to do after school, here are some tips on how to find your calling:
What Motivates You?
Very simply - what makes you happy? Think about what activities bring you joy and satisfaction. Something that gives you this feeling might be a good place to start. Think about the subjects you studied: were they a good fit for you, do you want to explore them further, do they make you curious, excited, and fulfilled?
Are you intrinsically motivated by them, meaning do you derive satisfaction from the activity itself? If you can refine a skill set that intrinsically motivates you, a career path will open up naturally for you.
For example, if you want to own your own business, learning how to manage people and resources will be a vital part of your knowledge base, so look for a position that teaches you management skills and delegation.
Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Identifying your strengths and weaknesses may seem obvious, but even seasoned professionals struggle to define them. You have to know how to present yourself (and you have to rehearse this) so write them down! The easiest way to do this is through a SWOT analysis.
Determine what activities come naturally to you and which ones require more effort on your part. If an activity comes easily, that could be a good sign that this is one of the things you were meant to do with your life
Work/Life Balance
Consider what sort of lifestyle would suit you best. Factoring in what your life looks like outside of work is also important for long-term satisfaction.
Do you want a job that is fast-paced or more laid back?
Do you want to work full-time, part-time, casual, at night, or on weekends?
Does contract work appeal to you?
Do you want to work from home?
Are you prepared to commute?
Do you want to relocate?
An Apprenticeship or Traineeship Could Be Perfect
A traineeship is paid work placement where you get to work on the job and gain practical experience in your chosen field, while learning new skills and building your brand.
Similarly, Apprenticeships are ideal for people who want to get into a certain industry or turn a hobby into a career.
You don't need to be in a specific age group or have a degree to do an apprenticeship or traineeship. In fact, people from all kinds of backgrounds can apply for these positions. Some of the best-known companies in the world have taken on apprentices who were not university graduates - but had other skills and experience that made them suitable for the job.
Emerging Occupations and Industries
Emerging occupations are those that are expected to grow significantly in the future. They are often in the technology or information sectors, but they can also be in other areas of the country. Emerging industries that need apprentices and trainees today include:
Information Technology including Cyber Security, IoT, Helpdesk
Business
Parks and Gardens, Conservation and Land Management
Health and Community Services
New Age Automotive
Australian Apprenticeships Pathways
With so much to consider, it can be difficult to know where to start. Australian Apprenticeships Pathways is an online resource providing access to information on apprenticeship and traineeship programs. It includes a comprehensive listing of all current apprenticeship and traineeship vacancies in Australia, including links to the relevant employers’ websites where you can find out more about each program.
Connect With NextGen Jobs
You are not alone on this rollercoaster of decisions as you explore how to find a job as a school leaver. It can be daunting, but it is also a world of possibilities. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and remember, connect with NextGen Jobs if you have a question about apprenticeships, traineeships or if you need more information.
What if I am still Confused?
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss apprenticeship and traineeship pathways with you. If you however feel that this isn’t of interest, the National Careers Institute offers free career counselling services for 15-24 year olds.