Parent info booklet - Futurewise

New Generation Contemporary. Versatile. Comprehensive.

Guidance at the heart of education.

International

The personalised career guidance and planning service

www.myfuturewise.org.uk/newgeneration

2013/14

Why is career guidance so important?

It’s a competitive world out there. Graduate recruiters are now targeting first year university students instead of waiting until the final year. When applying for jobs, students are finding that experience and knowledge of their chosen career are as important as their degree and that they need to be able to articulate their transferable skills for universities and recruiters.

Thousands of students every year drop out of university. Globally the figure is currently around 30%. Students need to understand the options open to them both for making the right subject choices as well as thinking about what direction or career pathway will lead them towards work.

The Futurewise New Generation career guidance programme can help a young person to: • develop a clear understanding of their abilities in relation to future career options • understand how their personality style will fit into the work place • get started on a career path to achieve their future goals • research their future options with trusted and accurate information • gain impartial and objective advice when they are making important decisions that will affect their future.

The value of psychometrics The psychometric profile which forms part of the Futurewise New Generation career guidance programme has been developed with a team of leading chartered psychologists at Team Focus and uses the latest thinking in psychometrics. Team Focus have also designed profiles for many educational and work place selection processes.

The psychometric profile uses six assessments which not only measure abilities, aptitudes and interests but also specifically evaluate personality traits, which are widely recognised by psychologists as being a significant influence in our decision making.

The results from these six assessments provide a holistic view to empower young people to explore their career options with confidence.

These types of psychometric assessments are also prevalent in the selection processes at many universities and graduate recruitment organisations so having an early understanding and experience of the elements involved could help to prepare the young person for their next steps too.

www.myfuturewise.org.uk/newgeneration

What is Futurewise New Generation?

F uturewise New Generation is a comprehensive one to one career and higher education guidance programme offering a personal service to young people aged from 15 to 23. It provides guidance, information and resources to support them in making informed and confident decisions about a number of areas including: • Choosing A-levels, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or other routes into higher education • Selecting a course and university • Researching potential careers • Researching and planning a gap year • Preparing for employment Futurewise New Generation gives the opportunity for students, parents and schools to work together. The programme is an integrated and progressive career and higher education planning service which provides many benefits to young people who are just starting out on their journey to their career.

Help is there every step of the way when you are a Futurewise member.

From the sophisticated and in depth psychometric profile offering a detailed analysis and appropriate subject and career suggestions to the early guidance interview where a two way exchange highlights the choices and next steps for the student, Futurewise offers support.

The advantages of membership continue with access to detailed research resources as well as up to date information and detailed career and higher education resources worldwide.

From the age of 15 to 23 students and their parents can also access a careers helpline which is manned by professional guidance personnel able to answer all your queries on higher education, subjects and career areas (English speaking) whether that be during the school years, in preparation for university or even for their first job.

More information on benefits of membership are on the Futurewise New Generation website www.myfuturewise.org.uk/newgeneration

The Futurewise Journey Students complete an online psychometric assessment which has been developed using the latest thinking in psychometrics. The assessments measure abilities, aptitudes and interests as well as evaluating personality traits which can influence decision making. This type of profiling also serves as good experience and preparation as many university and career recruitment processes use the same type of profiling.

The student will receive an electronic version of their profile report. This report includes career suggestions, advice on suitable subject choices as well as an insight into what underpins the student’s personal profile.

Students review the results with a career guidance professional to discuss the outcomes of the psychometric profile and identify the student’s next steps.

Students and parents are then able to access the student’s personal Futurewise webspace which offers a number of interactive tools to research higher education, university courses, careers, finance and gap year options with links to worldwide resources. Also, useful advice on compiling a CV and personal statement.

Students and parents have access to the information, advice and guidance helpline by email or telephone. Professional and experienced staff will answer your subject, higher education or career-related questions for the whole membership period, until the student’s 23rd birthday.

Students can view, research and prioritise career suggestions from their personal profile online.

Resources on higher education and further career areas are also accessible.

The International Student Centre is a valuable resource for many students applying to UK universities. Futurewise members can also access links for study worldwide.

Summer 2013

Students and parents receive a free subscription to the online Futurewise Magazine – with the latest news on higher education, alternative pathways, careers, gap opportunities and much more, plus regular e-newsletters.

BEFORE THEY WERE FAMOUS

What you didn’t know about JK Rowling to Gerard Butler

WORKING IN TV How you can improve your chances of getting in

MEDICAL APPLICATIONS Expert advice by Doctors

STUDY ABROAD

What your Anglophone university options are abroad

An optional post school career discussion is also available, particularly valuable during higher education.

What people say T he psychometric profile highlighted my natural abilities and strengths and inspired me to consider career alternatives I’d not thought of before.

Student

The scheme has provided invaluable help to many of our students at school and beyond.

Futurewise has been received extremely positively at school and the students found it very useful in terms of organising their future plans. The courses supporting them with applications to European and US universities were also excellent, thank you.

School Careers Adviser

International School Careers Adviser

e had a really valuable discussion W about university course choices with the helpline during the summer holidays.

Parent

The psychometric profile was amazing, it really identified Julia’s strengths and helped her decide what to do.

Parent

Never forget that your child will, at some point, have to stand out from the crowd. This may be imminent for example in preparation for a part time job, or further down the line, in preparation for a further or higher education place or full time employment and indeed promotion. The Futurewise career and higher education guidance scheme is a personal and progressive way for your child to make informed decisions and I can highly recommend it.

Futurewise could give your child the edge they need for the future they want.

Carl Gilleard, CEO Association of Graduate Recruiters

Who we are and what we do Futurewise New Generation is brought to you by The Inspiring Futures Foundation, an independent, not for profit organisation and a leading provider of careers advice with over 70 years experience in the world of education and work.

Futurewise New Generation is delivered by a team of highly qualified professional careers advisers and is recommended by schools worldwide.

Membership offers high quality face to face and online support to students from school through higher education to early employment.

Š 2013 Inspiring Futures Foundation St George’s House Knoll Road Camberley Surrey GU15 3SY Tel: 01276 687515 www.myfuturewise.org.uk Email: www.myfuturewise.org.uk/newgeneration Registered Charity No: 313153 (England) SC39664 (Scotland) FNG 13/14