Find where you thrive

Published: February 25, 2025

Exploring career pathways can be overwhelming. The world is full of opportunities, but how do you know which path is the right one for you? The University of London Careers Service is a key component of The Careers Group at the University of London in the UK. Through its Small Specialist Colleges and Online, Distance and Flexible Learners divisions, it provides careers support to thousands of students, both in London and worldwide. Armed with expert insights into graduate pathways and experiences, the team shares its invaluable careers advice for young people starting out on their career journey.

What are some of the misconceptions young people have about careers?

Many young people (and often older people!) mistakenly presume that careers are still predominantly linear: that you choose a career, and you are set for life. While linear paths may appeal to some, others find the idea intimidating, particularly if they worry about making the wrong initial choice. In reality, careers often resemble a ‘doodle’ rather than a straight line, with unexpected opportunities arising along the way. Rapid technological changes mean that many future jobs do not yet exist, which highlights the importance of developing a range of skills.

Young people often think careers advice is solely about career planning and job applications. Consequently, they may overlook opportunities to strengthen transferable skills, network, and improve decision-making. Some young people believe everyone else has a clear career plan, which can make them feel isolated or behind.

There’s also a misconception that a degree limits career options or that careers must align perfectly with academic qualifications. This can lead to unnecessary stress or limited exploration of opportunities. Young people may also have limited exposure to career options due to their lived experience, such as the professions of family and friends.

Don’t let these misconceptions hold you back! There are thousands of jobs out there that you might not know about, and it’s never too early to get researching. And because careers aren’t linear, it’s okay to just focus on the next step and keep your options open.

What questions should young people be asking themselves to help with their career planning?

Consider where your interests and passions lie. Conduct a content audit: which podcasts do you listen to? Which blogs do you read? Which social media accounts do you follow? What are your favourite brands? Then, analyse why you have chosen these things – can you identify themes that connect these interests?

And if you are studying currently, ask yourself: which aspects of my course do I enjoy and excel at? Where do my values and strengths align? Am I motivated by helping others, being creative or having financial stability? It can also be very insightful to seek feedback from friends and family about what they think you value, and why.

Give yourself time to explore interests through part-time jobs, volunteering and educational experiences. Try out virtual internships or short-term internships to test your assumptions and learn about specific jobs. These experiences can help clarify your interests over time.

Equally, knowing what you don’t like is as helpful as understanding what you do, so reflect on your dislikes and use them to guide your preferences.

What should students consider when deciding whether an apprenticeship, higher education or further training is the right path for them?

Start by considering which careers you might be interested in following, and work backwards to identify which pathways lead there. For example, are degree apprenticeships offered for that career, do you need an undergraduate/postgraduate qualification?

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Factors such as costs, timeframes and practicalities are important to consider. Higher education, for example, offers a more traditional route but can be costly if you change disciplines mid-way. Apprenticeships can offer cost-effective training while earning a salary, but they may be intense due to the combination of work, study and networking.

Reflect on your preferred learning style to help your decision-making. Do you excel in work-based environments or classroom settings? Thorough research is crucial to understand what each path involves and where each path leads – and which is most suitable for you.

You can also explore opportunities for combining pathways, such as part-time study alongside work. Speak to people in these pathways or arrange shadowing opportunities to gain first-hand insights.

Remember, (in the UK) you can apply for apprenticeships and universities simultaneously in Year 13, so you can keep your options open.

What should students consider when choosing a university course?

There are many factors to consider!

On a practical level, think about where you would like to study. How far from home are you happy to be? Do you want to include or exclude large cities in your options? What type of campus would you like to live or study on?

Academically, it’s important to look at the course content for each university you are interested in as courses with the same name can vary wildly from university to university. In the UK, UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admission Service) provides details of course entry requirements, which will also vary. Type a subject into UCAS’ search bar and look at the list view – you can see all courses related to that subject, which might throw up courses you never would have thought of!

If you are considering university as an option, we advise starting to research university courses before committing to A-level choices to ensure your options are left open for any pathways you are considering.

If you are already in post-16 education, you can still research courses early, ideally before application season, to allow sufficient time to explore your options. Reflect on subjects you enjoy and excel at, as well as what aligns with your future aspirations. Enjoyment and competence will help ensure you thrive academically.

What is your advice for young people who may feel overwhelmed by career decision-making?

Don’t panic! Many people don’t know their career path early on, and career changes are common. Focus on identifying your interests, skills and strengths – think about what you do know. What do you enjoy doing now? Would you like to work outdoors, in an office or at home? Can you see yourself helping people, working with children or working for yourself? Start with what you know about yourself, reflect on subjects and activities you’ve enjoyed so far, and research different career ideas relating to these.

Build your skills toolkit through continued education and experiences, which will open more opportunities. For example, doing work experience is the best way to discover whether a role is what you thought it would be. It helps you make connections and might lead to other opportunities in the future. It’s also brilliant life experience and something you can talk about in applications and interviews in the future.

Invest time and energy into exploring different options, so that you are able to make informed decisions later down the line. Most importantly, avoid pressure to have everything planned and trust that your toolkit will lead to fulfilling career choices.

What is your advice for someone who has a fixed idea about which path they want to take?

Having a clear goal is valuable, as it fosters determination and resilience. However, while it is great to have an idea of your destination, it is always helpful to explore alternative options in parallel. Life doesn’t always go as planned.

Seek work experience in your chosen field to confirm whether it’s the right fit, and network with professionals to learn about their experiences and gain broader perspectives. Explore related roles and career paths to keep an open mind and prepare for unexpected opportunities.

What are some of the challenges that international students face, and what support can help them?

Studying or working internationally is very exciting and provides huge personal and professional rewards. However, securing permanent employment and visa sponsorship can be challenging, so it is vital to conduct thorough research into organisations that sponsor visas, and persevere in targeting these employers. You also need to research the cost of living and post-study visa options in your chosen country, beyond the information universities provide.

Ensure your CV and cover letters are tailored and strong, providing evidence of skills and attributes. Careers services like ours can assist with this.

And lastly, build confidence and competence in the language of your studies and socialise to establish a support network.

What resources does The Careers Group provide for schools and colleges?

What’s Next? is a free online course for school and college leavers, designed to help guide students through thinking about their post-18 options and help them make a great decision about their next step. It’s impartial, up-to-date, and designed by qualified careers consultants from the University of London Careers Service.

The course has been built in Moodle, to enable students to experience a mode of study that is representative of post-18 learning platforms, and is divided into two modules:

Understanding your options – gives an overview of students’ post-18 options and factors to consider (from money matters to current labour market information and skills and employability) when picking an option.

What’s the right choice for me? – designed to help 16-to-18-year-olds understand more about themselves, what’s important to them and where different options can lead, and to help students make a well-informed decision about their next step.

Young people and teachers can sign up for the course here.

What can students expect from a University of London taster day?

Taster courses are a great way for students to try out university without committing to anything. They’re also an excellent way to test out new subject areas or see how a favourite subject might be at degree level. Students can use a taster course to check if a subject they already like will suit them or to try something completely new. Students can use the experience in a variety of other ways: to inform their own thinking, by reflecting on it in their personal statement, or by discussing it with a career adviser.

University of London taster courses typically consist of a welcome talk from the faculty and a mini lecture followed by hands-on activities. Problem solving exercises and group discussions often feature as part of the day so learners can interact with peers and build connections. Students get the chance to meet with other students on the taster course and undergraduate students studying at the university. Find out more.

Top tips for young people

1. Be open to exploring various career paths and organisations.

2. Balance stepping out of your comfort zone with finding where you thrive.

3. Engage with careers services early for support.

4. Undertake work experience and/or get a part-time job to develop employability skills.

Top tips for teachers

1. Encourage students to engage with careers services and provide resources for exploring options.

2. Avoid suggesting specific careers; focus on empowering students to discover their paths.

3. Give students the opportunity to undertake work experience and meet a range of people. These interactions can show students possibilities that they never knew were available to them.

Connect with the University of London Careers Service (UoLCS):

Website: www.london.ac.uk/current-students/careers-service

Useful resources: https://www.london.ac.uk/study/taster-courses-schools/career-planning-resources-schools-colleges

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