Now is the time to take a look at your options and hatching plans for the next big step. There's a saying that 'failing to plan is planning to fail' and this is just as true of career planning as it is of anything else.

So what are the choices?

• Stay on at school in the Sixth Form or attend a local Sixth Form College
• Go to Further Education College
• Look for a job with training on an Apprenticeship
• Look for a job

Choosing a career
Since you can expect to spend half your life at work, earning a living to support yourself and any family you choose to have, it is important to make the right decision. However, having said that, some find it hard to make the best choice when school has finished.

So this is something you need to spend time in researching. One simple rule is to see whether you can work at something you really enjoy. Some people feel they need a career that allows them to progress when they feel they need a new challenge.

Two things to take into account!
All jobs will require you to use your brain so it is important to get the best possible start with a good set of GCSEs. Having reasonably good grades demonstrates to others your commitment to learning and to giving yourself an edge.

Some jobs will also place greater emphasis on applying skills and knowledge that you then put into practice by using your hands like construction or healthcare. Others may place more emphasis on researching, problem solving and the sorts of skills used in a wide variety of office jobs
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How you prefer to learn is the key to finding the best route and to get the career you want. If you find exams tough, it is better to look at a training route that will let you demonstrate your skills through a portfolio, rather than taking a load of exams each year - this is the vocational route. However, if you enjoy reading books to study and researching solutions, you may find the academic route a better fit.

Growing Professions
In some areas of the country you will find it easier to work in a number of professions. If you want to go into farming or textiles there are few opportunities on the outskirts of London. However, there are a number of industries where there are a growing number of positions in the capital, for example healthcare or hospitality and catering.

This is also an area where there is still a relatively large amount of engineering manufacturing. Business services is another growth industry, with a wide number of positions on offer for solicitors, business and financial professionals.

As the world of work continues to evolve, it is a fact of life that most professions will change considerably during our working lives. It is expected that up to half the jobs the population will be doing in ten years time have not yet been invented! While you may wish to change careers after five or ten years, it may also become necessary for you to change your career and even take up a new path you've not even thought about yet...

So why train?
If life is going to change so much what is the point of training?
This is where you need to look at the skills you can take from one profession into another. It is too easy to overlook the skills you take for granted every day but if you do decide to make a change everything you have learnt and applied so far in your life should be reviewed and, where appropriate, you need to put the information concisely into your CV. So if you have completed a Duke of Edinburgh's Award or been part of the school orchestra, football team, drama group or completed some voluntary work, get it all written down on your record.

The skills employers will be looking for in any employee whether they go into employment at age 16, 18 or 21, are good communication skills, the ability to work with numbers, people who are natural team players, and those who use their initiative to solve problems, and of course if you have good IT skills these are in high demand in many jobs.

Whether your work experience was a great opportunity to gain an understanding of the career of your choice or one of the disasters of your life, there are lessons to be learnt from it.

• How did the people you worked with behave?
• How did they communicate with one another?
• What were the hours of work and how did they all dress for work?
• Did this vary from other experiences you have of the workplace?

Winning at Interviews
The world of work is extremely competitive and you will find that the person recruited is the one the employer thinks is the best for the job.

That means:

• Submitting an application that is chosen to progress to interview stage - whether it is an application form or a CV and letter.
  
• Being prepared for the interview - finding out as much as you can about the organisation before you go to the interview - and turning up on time.
  
• Dressing appropriately for the interview - if you are going to an office you need to look smart - never wear trainers or jeans.

Remember:
Employers will be trying to find out what you can bring to their organisation by working there - not what you think they can give you.

They will ask you questions that give you the opportunity to tell them why you think you are better than the next interviewee and that you know how to solve any problems you may face.

They will be looking for someone who is reliable and responsible, and someone who wants to learn by using their initiative, working with colleagues and by using opportunities to train and gain new skills that assist both in helping the organisation meet its goals and in improving your future career opportunities.

They call it a 'labour market' for a good reason. You will be selling your skills for a remuneration package all your life so you need to ensure you keep learning all your life so that you are more attractive to employers than the next person.

Higher education is accessible to all - some choose to go to university after school, some will prefer to do a foundation degree after college or an Apprenticeship, some will experience distance learning or e-learning opportunities.

If you want more information about Apprenticeships call 08000 150 600

For more information about Further Education and Sixth Form Colleges check out the londoncolleges.com website.

If you're unsure of the next step talk to your Connexions adviser or careers teacher.

You are in control of your destiny to quite a degree and if you want something enough you should always try to break down any barriers you believe to be in your path to reaching your full potential and achieving your goal.

Plans aren't set in stone - they are there to help and guide you through the change from school into the world of work. So don't skimp on the research and ensure you plan for success.

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