Choosing careers

Say what?

• A career used to mean “a job for life”…• … or at the least, one kind of job for life.

• You will have multiple careers, because– worker rights have largely disappeared– technological pace makes whole fields redundant– globalisation increases competition / job loss– multi-tasking has increased

So why “career plan”?

• Early bird / first out the gate etc• Grade inflation = employers spoilt for choice• More careers = more need to know options• = more need for soft skills and self-marketing• Opportunities at “boundaries” of subjects• Competition = motivation (India, China)

• “Know thyself, and to hell with the rest of the world”

Some facts to scare you

• By 2013, “developing” markets = ½ world GDP• Grads in India = English population (2.5x 1991)• UK economy doubles each 30 years, China in 8• Parents retire: 60… You retire: 70+• They get: 2/3s income… You get 1/4 income• You = few employment rights by comparison• Expect falling salaries for 20 years• The 1st generation to be poorer than your parents• 50% of you probably won’t own a house, ever

Some thoughts to reassure

• DBS is creating a dedicated careers program• Follow www.dbscareers.wordpress.com • CSMs• Tutors, teachers, KSLs & Counsellor will help• You have a command of technology• You are the hardest-working generation so far (!)• You are the best qualified generation so far

• The future is full of jobs we can’t dream of yet

A small jolt to your system

TEACHERS GET PAID EVEN IF YOU SCREW UP.

There’ll be more of you next year. We’re not gonna beat ourselves up if you personally fail.

But we chose this career because we want to help you succeed. It matters to us. We care about you.

Listen to us, and do well.

Your GCSE options

YOU CHOSE THEM FOR A REASON. Even if it was the wrong one, make it the right one, NOW.

• Class success = good grades• Good grades = privileged access to next step• Next qualification or step = all the rest follows• Do well RIGHT NOW career success• Don’t do well RIGHT NOW struggle to start

Even a boxer needs a team

There are people supporting even a solo fighter.

• Good advice is hard-edged. Listen & consider. Be patient. Seek balance. Talk to your parents more:– they have detailed knowledge of certain fields– they can help guide you– they will need to support you so give them a say– get over your issues… you can ignore the advice too

• … but be aware their careers market knowledge may be out-of-date and optimistic

ISCO

• ISCO are coming in 3 weeks to– test you for aptitudes / interests– offer interviews and guidance– offer small-group discussions too

• Designed to start, not complete, a process• Costs 1150AED… support until 23 = worth it

• “What kind of jobs will suit you?”• Who are you?

Some initial, opposed, options

• Academic / intellectual vs technical / vocational• Outdoor / indoor• People or things or numbers or ideas• Stay or roam, routine or romance• Salary, satisfaction or both• New industries or established• State or private• MA / BA / training-apprenticeship / job• Specialist or generalist at 16?

Be realistic / target

• Medicine = AAAA• Politics or Management Consultancy = Oxbridge• A-levels / Applied / Uni foundation?

• Science / Maths = higher salaries• Psych / Geog graduates have best employment rates

(Humanities = people skill)• Entrepreneurial skills? Prove it ASAP

• “Mission / passion” – just *one* thing you want?

Get the best out of ISCO

• Have clear ideas in advance, but not rigidly• Talk to knowledgeable adults NOW• Think about MONEY early on• Follow the blog and READ THE LINKED

ARTICLES

• … start with tutors, now.

Task 1: What to worry about

Read (including the first BBC link) and discuss: http://dbscareers.wordpress.com/2011/09/17/recent-bbc-careers-articles/

• what do you worry about most?• what can you do about it?• what do your parents think your generation’s

job prospects are like?• work longer – have less true? fair?

Task 2: who am I?

Look back at slide 10 with opposed options. Turn each into a sliding scale or the like.

Place yourselves as individuals on each measure.• how do you know?• what does this mean for your future?• are you like your parents / friends / idols?

Task 3: having a vision

Write about 10-20 lines about who you will be in ten years’ time. Be sure to be clear what the stages were and how you got there.

This could be personal, professional, or both.• how realistic are other people’s?• what’s the biggest risk / obstacle you face?• what do you want most from your description?

Task 4: a new future?

Look at the post, including the final link about future jobs: http://dbscareers.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/its-grim-but-heres-the-numbers/

• why choose “futuristic” industries / careers?• what risks in going in these directions?• will your first preference job exist in 20 years?• what could you branch out into?

Task 5: write a “future CV”

This builds on task 3. You’ll be given adverts for some well-paid job adverts from national newspapers, and…

• imagine you are 20 years older than now• write a CV that would enable you to get them– which qualifications, in what order, have you got?– what work experience / placement / internships?– which 2-5 jobs to make you ready?– what skills and qualities make you suitable

you can use Word templates