Virtual Careers Advice

Choosing a career can be a challenge at any age, but as a young student where anything seems possible, how do you narrow it down to one particular industry or specific job role?

Student ‘A’ from Outwood Academy Valley had dreams from a young age of becoming a doctor. She had confidence that she would achieve the grades to help her progress into this role. The challenge for her was not choosing what career her future would hold, it was choosing the right path to make her dreams come true.

CareersInc provides impartial careers advice and guidance within the academy for several students. After spending a lot of time in a Professional Learning Community (PLC), ‘A’ missed a large part of Year 10 and called upon her CareersInc Adviser, Rachel Jones, for extra support. They started sessions that took place throughout the year where they would meet up every quarter to discuss the different educational routes and pathways that would best suit her.  During one of the sessions, ‘A’ had informed Rachel that she preferred not to study both Biology and Chemistry at A-Level, so they researched all of the medical schools in the UK to find out the entry requirements.

Successfully achieving her grades in 2019, ‘A’ went on to study Biology, Psychology and English Literature at Thomas Rotherham College and plans to do a foundation year in Biomedicine in the future. Careers Adviser Rachel recently contacted ‘A’ to see how she was getting on at college. She responded,

“I want to thank you again for all of your help honestly, even at college there is nobody like you. They expect you to make your own plans and go to them when you’ve decided but that’s awful for such an indecisive person like me! Nothing tops the support you gave me.”

As the designated Careers Adviser for Outwood Academy Valley, Rachel regularly stays in contact with students to check on their progress. She said,

“My job has to be up there within the top ten most rewarding job roles! Helping young people to map out their career journey and see how their skills can link to the various job roles available to them gives me the greatest feeling of job satisfaction. I can remember how hard it was being that age and not having a clue what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.” 

Student ‘A’ is only one example of many young people that CareersInc has supported nationally to visualise their career journey. Careers Advisers can assist school leavers with their next steps after Year 11, discuss the various routes into higher education and help with CV writing and interview tips, as well as providing careers advice and guidance. Furthermore, due to the pandemic, CareersInc is now offering this service online, so students can book a one-to-one online session with an Adviser. 

As schools across the country had to close their doors and open their online classrooms during the recent lockdown, the team at CareersInc also adapted their delivery, to offer virtual careers education. Providing impartial, information, advice and guidance to school pupils.

The team responded quickly to develop an online solution that would still provide young people with access to their Careers Adviser. And they were overwhelmed with the uptake, working with over 50 schools and more than 3,000 students throughout April and May.

CareersInc are passionate about supporting young people to plan their career journey, opening doors to the variety of options and educational routes that can lead to specific careers. Their virtual service enabled learners from all year groups, along with parents and carers, to book one-to-one online sessions with a Careers Adviser to discuss future career options.

Taking advantage of these online sessions, students used their time to discuss routeways after year 11, higher education options, Careers Guidance and the local and national labour market to name just a few.

CEO of CareersInc, James Madine, is delighted with the outcome of the virtual services launched pre-lockdown. He said,

“The Virtual Careers Advice has been a successful resource not only for learners, parents and carers, but for us. It has highlighted the high demand for our services.

When physically in a school, it’s convenient for young people to access their adviser, but for them to go out of their way to book a session shows the positive impact that we’ve had on promoting the importance of careers education and planning their future, no matter what age group.”

Jodie Gregory, Careers Lead at The Academy @ Ridgewood Trust, has also been delighted with the level of support offered during these difficult times. She said “ The CareersInc adviser that works in our school have supported our students throughout the closure of schools, offering 1:1 guidance both on the phone and via email. Our students have really appreciated the support and have often been in touch more than once. The CareersInc service has been second to none and the advisers have been extremely flexible, adapting their normal way of working to ensure our students for what they need, when they needed it. The advisers continue to offer first class support to our students and have been an asset to the school.”

On average, each CareersInc Adviser supported 6 students per day throughout April and May with Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG). To find out more about their Virtual Careers Advice, visit their website.