There are a number of excellent websites providing up-to-date and impartial information and advice that young people can use to research job sectors and roles of interest. The following free to access websites are recommended in particular:
All of these sites include a range of detailed job profiles outlining key information such as responsibilities, qualifications and skills needed, pay and career prospects. They also have information on which jobs relate to a particular subject, and, if your young person is struggling for initial ideas, contain tools which suggest potential job ideas or job sectors based on stated skills, interests, motivations and personality. When using these websites, urge your young person to be open-minded to new career possibilities, rather than dismissing certain jobs or sectors without giving them any real consideration.
Encourage your young person to take up any available opportunities for work experience, work shadowing and voluntary work. These can give valuable insights into a job or industry of interest before making any further commitment. Students will also gain practical skills in a working environment, increase their network of connections and potentially even gain paid work as a result.
Find out more about work experience oppurtunities that are available, and how you can support your young person through that here.