Choosing the
right course
HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT
Finding the right course isn’t always easy, which is why we have a team of dedicated Guidance Advisers who can help you explore your options to make the right career choice.
No one’s college journey is the same, so if you need anything, we have a Student Services Team that can help with:
- Advice and guidance on course and training information.
- Financial support information, advice and guidance.
- Student counselling appointments.
- Signposting to other services.
- Careers guidance, where our advisers hold interviews to discuss which options are most suitable for you. Please remember all advice and guidance is impartial.
You’ll find Student Services next to reception at the main entrance of the College on our Westoe campus.
Want to study with us?
Our School Liaison Team can help you make the right choice and support you during the transition from school to college, as they provide services, as well as advice and guidance on the likes of:
- Life after year 11-13
- CEIAG (Careers, Education, Information, Advice and Guidance)
- Course information
- Application forms
- Careers
- Careers guidance
- College interviews
- Mock interviews
- Employability skills
- Extra college opportunities
- University and higher education
WHAT CAREER IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Here’s five tips from our experts to help you find your next steps.
1. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY?
Make a list of subjects, activities or hobbies you love to do. Are there any links between your answers and course areas?
2. WHAT DO YOU NOT ENJOY?
Instead of looking at what courses interest you, look at our courses and cross off what you’re definitely NOT interested in. What’s left? Research the subjects and see if anything jumps out at you.
3. CHAT TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Ask about other people’s careers and job roles. Your auntie might be a Nurse or your uncle might be an Engineer, but do you know what they specialise in? What qualifications do they have? You never know where these conversations might lead you.
4. DO YOUR RESEARCH
We recommend doing your research online for the most up-to-date information.
Here’s some of our favourite career resources:
Start
Search for jobs and it’ll show the career, other linked careers, qualifications needed to progress to college/sixth form, and if you need an apprenticeship, university degree or both to get into this career. It also looks at Labour Market Information (LMI) to see how likely you are to get a job afterwards.
National Careers Service
The National Careers Service gives information on all careers and jobs. You can do a 5-10-minute assessment, which will give you a list of careers and jobs they think suit you best.
UCAS
UCAS not only gives information on university degrees and support for university applications, it also gives general careers advice. This could be helpful if you’re thinking of going to university after your college course.
5. I WANT TO TAKE AN APPRENTICESHIP, DO I NEED A BACKUP PLAN?
The money, job opportunities and industry training is what makes apprenticeship courses so appealing, which means lots of people like you will be applying for an apprenticeship too. Although you could be the best candidate for the job, you might just miss out. That’s why having a college course as a backup plan is always the best idea. For example, if you’ve been looking at Engineering apprenticeships, also apply for one of our Engineering courses. Then, if you get the apprenticeship, that’s fantastic! You can just turn down the college course.
Register now for apprenticeship vacancies in your chosen area and set alerts so you can see new jobs.
ALREADY STUDYING WITH US?
If you’re already studying with us, you’ll enjoy an exciting and jam-packed careers programme designed to support you with your next steps.
Whether it’s straight to employment, Higher Education or an apprenticeship, our team have planned a range of events, workshops and 1-1 support to guide you towards your future goals.
If you some advice on your future plans, speak to our Student Services team about careers, courses, training and finances.
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Get in touch
Our team is always ready to help. So if you have questions on courses, your career, or anything else, complete this contact form and we’ll be in touch.