Make the Future Yours! Issue 9

What’s next?

Information, advice and case studies to help you make the right career choices!

We show you careers you may not have thought about.

Join us on Friday, 26 July 2024 for Pioneers of Tomorrow, a dedicated careers-focused event taking place on the last day of Farnborough International Airshow.

The day is open to students, graduates, aerospace enthusiasts and the general public!

Register your interest today!

Make the Future Yours is published six times a year, to subscribe visit: www.makethefutureyours.com

Editorial editor@makethefutureyours.com

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Publisher The Future BusinessLtd www.thefuturebusiness.co.uk

Welcome to the ninth edition of Make the Future Yours! This comprehensive guide is designed to assist young people in navigating the landscape of career choices and discovering their own unique paths. We encourage you to embrace all of the opportunities out there. Let the stories of Architects, Physiotherapists, and TV Producers serve as inspiration as you carve out your own journey!

On another note, if you are looking for something to do at the start of the Summer holidays, Pioneers of Tomorrow on 26 July at the Farnborough International Airshow, is a great event with lots to do and see. Apart from flying displays and hands-on activities, there are also workshops and professionals at the event to give advice and help you choose or change career. Scan or click on the QR code on the page opposite for more information and to book tickets.

The production of any material, whether whole or in part, is strictly forbidden without prior written consent of the publisher. The editor reserves the right to publish any letters and submissions. Prices and details are subject to change and The Future Business Ltd accepts no responsibility for omissions or errors. All materials sent at original owner’s risk.

© The Future Business Ltd 2023.

All rights reserved

Thinking of becoming an Architect?

Overcoming anxiety

A career in Cyber Security

Share your story

How to choose your A-Levels

Physiotherapy: Helping people live their best life

How to become a Plumber

Useful stuff

Thinking of changing careers?

An Accountant who didn’t go to University? Really?

How to become a TV Producer

5 Vital Questions before applying to university

What is marketing?

Finance: What about it?

Thinking of becoming an Architect?

William Liles is on a career path to be an architect and currently working at Portsmouth based Architectural Practice, KSA Architects. His route into architecture started early with playing with Lego! Now, he has already completed a first-class Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture at the renowned University of Portsmouth School of Architecture and is learning through his RIBA Part I year-out work placement, which is part of his structured career plan.

When we spoke to William, it was clear that through his study and work in the profession he has become even more appreciative of what he can achieve as an architect.

What do you enjoy about studying architecture?

I have learned so much. I really enjoyed life at university. I made friends and Portsmouth itself is a great city to be in. Through the course, I have grown to appreciate how architecture is very personal.

At the start of any project, I find myself thinking about what a client, and those who would interact with our designs, would want, seeing it

through their eyes; what do they need to make them feel comfortable is the ultimate aim. Every project is completely different. How do I help turn the occupants needs into a practical building. It’s a challenge, but when you do get it right, the feeling is just a sense of pride in creating a space that other people can enjoy.

What have you learned from working at KSA Architects?

This year of work experience forms part of my overall qualification to become an architect. So, within the organisation I am guided by a mentor. Mine is Daniel Knight, who has plenty of good advice and experience I can call on.

Daniel lets me talk about experiences and projects, providing a depth of understanding that I know will further my knowledge in the field and that will help me move through my career.

Throughout my year in professional practice, I must complete quarterly records. This captures the work I have been undertaking, the skills and knowledge I have obtained and goals for future development. I am also assigned a mentor from my university who has oversight of my development goals, providing helpful insights and advice.

How do you become qualified?

After working for 12 months, I will have two options. I can either go back into university, and obtain my master’s degree with a further 2 years of full-time study. Or I can take the new path, a Degree Apprenticeship route, currently being undertaken by a fellow co-working in the Practice.

The Degree Apprenticeship route provides for on the job training 4 days in the field and 1 day at university. This alternative route is 4 years long and fully approved by the professional bodies, RIBA and ARB.

Which route will you take?

I haven’t made my mind up yet. KSA and Daniel have been amazing and I am involved in all aspects of the practices. I really couldn’t ask for anything more. I have seen work from various sides. Creativity is clearly a strong element of an architect’s job, but I am enjoying learning about planning, feasibility, engineering, sustainability and graphics too. There are many dimensions to architecture and it’s all so different. I have received plenty of encouragement and I see the work of the whole practice.

I have some time before I need to decide which route to take, and I can see that a master’s degree has its own merits. The working world experience too has a lot to offer, and you get a lot of practical advice too.

Either way, I know that as an architect I am investing in the community, and I can literally affect the lives of others and make spaces that are comfortable and enjoyable places to live or work.

KSA Architects is an architectural practice based in Portsmouth that primarily covers the central South region including Hampshire, Sussex, Dorset, Surrey.

Providing a range of considerable experience in master planning and urban design, the team works with clients in the public, private and third sectors to design and plan architectural designs in the commercial, residential, mixed use, care and extra care sectors.

The practice has a full range of disciplines and skills required to deliver and complete in the current real estate and construction sector.

Strategies for:

Overcoming Anxiety

Whether you are studying at school, college or university, or you’re a new employee or a seasoned professional, life can be very challenging with deadlines, expectations, and interpersonal dynamics creating a potential breeding ground for anxiety. Feelings of anxiety can impact your well-being and hinder your performance. This article explores common causes of anxiety and provides practical strategies to overcome these challenges.

1. Identify the Root Causes:

Understanding the source of your anxiety is the first step toward overcoming it. Common triggers include:

• High Workload: Feeling overwhelmed by a heavy workload or tight deadlines.

• Unclear Expectations: Lack of clarity about job roles, responsibilities, or performance expectations.

• Interpersonal Conflicts: Challenges in working with friends, colleagues or superiors.

• Fear of Failure: Anxiety about making mistakes or not meeting expectations.

• Lack of Balance: Spending too much time working and having no time to relax and enjoy yourself.

2. Open Communication:

Being open is essential for addressing anxiety. If you're uncertain about expectations or facing challenges, don't hesitate to discuss them with your friends, teachers, supervisor or colleagues. Transparency can lead to better understanding and support.

3. Time Management:

Effective time management is a key skill in combating anxiety. Prioritise tasks, set realistic goals, and break down large projects into manageable steps. This approach helps create a sense of control and accomplishment.

4. Develop Coping Mechanisms:

Identify healthy coping mechanisms to manage stress. Techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or short breaks can help reset your mind and reduce anxiety levels. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle also contribute to overall well-being.

5. Seek Support:

Don't hesitate to seek support from colleagues, friends, or professional counsellors. Sharing your concerns with someone you trust can provide a different perspective and emotional support, reducing feelings of isolation.

6. Set Realistic Expectations:

Perfectionism often contributes to anxiety. Recognize that everyone makes mistakes, and perfection is an unrealistic standard. Set achievable goals and celebrate small victories to build confidence.

7. Establish Boundaries:

Maintain a healthy balance by setting clear boundaries between studying or work and personal life. Disconnecting allows for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Overcoming anxiety is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, proactive measures, and a commitment to personal well-being. By addressing the root causes, being open and implementing effective coping strategies, individuals can create a more positive and fulfilling life. Remember, it's okay to seek help and prioritise your mental health in the pursuit of a successful and balanced life.

A career in Cyber Security?

From private individuals to multinational organisations and national governments, we hear stories all too often of cyber security breaches or hacking seriously affecting technology systems. According to IT security experts, Norton, there is an attack about every 39 seconds around the world. Clearly, it’s super important that we all know how to keep ourselves safe online but there is also a growing need for cyber security professionals to help keep all of us safe too.

It is estimated that there is currently a shortfall of about 350,000 cyber security experts across the world, and that is predicted to grow to almost 2 million in the next few years.

Because of that shortage, it also tends to be an industry that pays better than average salaries.

Clearly, there has never been a better time to think about a career in cyber security. But what type of skills do you need and how do you get into it?

There is a huge range of roles available to suit a wide range of skills, whether you are natural leader, a great manager or a selfconfessed coding geek. For example,

Blockchain Developers will use their knowledge and skills of many different programming languages and systems to ensure that data and digital transactions are secure. As well as extensive coding skills, they are likely to be people with great problem-solving skills who are great at logic and processes. By contrast, a Cyber Security Project Manager will be leading teams of

people to develop security systems for an organisation. Although they will need an understanding of the technical structure of systems, they are more likely to be great organisers and communicators.

What sort of skills, in general, do people working in cyber security need? Perhaps first and foremost is a willingness to learn: as you would expect, coding, programming and related technologies are constantly developing so cyber security experts need to be quick to learn about anything new. They also need strong logical thinking and problem-solving skills: these technologies all have operating systems that work in ordered ways so the ability to think in a structured, forensic way to understand them is essential. In almost all cases, cyber security experts won’t work alone so they will also need team working and communication skills to share information and engineer solutions together.

What is clear is that many young people are developing many of these skills through their hobbies, activities like gaming and coding. And many organisations are recognising that just one entry route won’t suit all applicants. There are Traineeships, Apprenticeships and Degree courses in cyber security, to allow a wide range of study and training options.

Just this year, a case made the headlines when a group of hackers, including teenagers, were arrested for their illegal online activities. Fortunately, many young people are realising that they can use their skills both legally and for positive purposes by working in the world of cyber security. If you are curious about how things work, how devices interact with each other and what vulnerabilities these gadgets have, perhaps a career in cyber security would suit you?

Here are some of the jobs in cyber security:

Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts have the responsibility of creating plans and strategies for preventing cyber attacks. They are essentially the protectors of sensitive information, and they ensure that policies are being followed. Their main jobs include monitoring systems and networks, detecting threats, analysing and assessing issues, and generally protecting IT infrastructure from criminal activity.

Cyber Security Consultant

Consultants provide business solutions for their organisation or clients, and cyber security consultants do the same thing in the cyber security sphere. They assess all security measures, propose improvements and then oversee implementations of new measures.

Ethical Hacker

If you’re interested in learning more about cyber criminals and how they work, you might want to become an ethical hacker. It is their job to carry out advanced penetration tests on a company’s system and check if there are any weaknesses or breaches in their security.

Network Engineer

Network engineers are responsible for dealing with computer networks. They are technical experts, and it is their job to set up networks, look after them and offer technical support to users of the network. There are both hands-on and computerbased aspects to this role.

Ways to develop your coding and cyber skills

There are range of opportunities and resources available, many of which are free, that can help you work on your skills, including:

CoderDojo

Free, local coding clubs worldwide for young people.

www.coderdojo.com

Code Club

A global network of free coding clubs for 9–13 year olds, where they can create games, animations and web pages using Scratch, Python or HTML/CSS.

www.codeclub.org

Cyber Security Challenge

Competitions designed to test cyber skills, created by industry professionals looking for the next generation of cyber defenders.

www.cybersecuritychallenge.org.uk

CyberFirst

Developing the UK’s future cyber professionals through student bursaries, courses and competitions. For 11–17 year olds.

www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberfirst/

Cyber Explorers

A fun, free interactive learning platform for those aged 11-14. It showcases how skills taught in class are linked to real world situations, through an immersive, gamified learning experience.

https://www.cyberexplorers.co.uk/ NCSC

The National Cyber Security Centre website contains a lot of information on both academic and professional qualifications in cyber security.

www.ncsc.gov.uk

Calling all trailblazers, dream chasers, and success stories! We're on a mission to uncover the remarkable narratives that have shaped incredible careers. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, we want to know how you arrived at the fulfilling career you're in today and the inspiring adventures that followed your college/university days.

Here's how you can participate:

1. Share your story. Craft an account of your journey from college/university to the career you're in now. Highlight the pivotal moments, mentors who shaped your path, and the lessons learned along the way.

2. Submit your story to hello@makethefutureyours.com. Don't forget to include your contact details so we can reach out to you if your story is chosen for further recognition!

3. Inspire others. With your permission, we'll feature selected stories on our website and social media platforms, showcasing the remarkable diversity of career paths and experiences. Your story could inspire countless individuals who are searching for their own path.

How to choose your A Levels

If you’ve been doing perhaps ten or more subjects at GCSE, having to narrow that down to just three or four to study at A Level can seem like a tough call. There are no rules on how to make that decision, but there are certainly some factors that you should probably consider. These are our suggestions.

What do you enjoy?

Start by thinking about the subjects you have already been taking: which of them do you enjoy the most?

Make a note of your top five favourites. There is a good chance that you will do better in subjects that you enjoy the most, so we think this is a good place to start.

Now, think about what it is that you like about those subjects: is it being creative, or analysing data, or solving problems? Knowing why you like a subject will help you reflect on your overall decision when the time comes.

An opportunity to try something new?

There are often new subjects that a college can offer at A Level that you won’t have had the opportunity to take at GCSE. For example, Government & Politics, Criminology or Media are either not available at GCSE or not offered by many schools. This means you might have even more choice than you thought!

Have a look through 6th Form prospectuses and see if there are any new subjects that sound exciting. Read carefully what they cover.

Use the notes you just made about why you like your current GCSE subjects to help work out if any of these new subjects will suit your interests and learning style. Jot them down.

What fits with your future plans?

For many people, choosing A Levels is a stepping-stone to studying at University. Most degree and higher education courses have fairly strict entry requirements on which A Level subjects are acceptable. For example, if you want to study anything related to medicine or veterinary science, it’s unlikely that you’ll get a place without having done Biology A Level and, perhaps,Chemistry.

So, if you’re thinking about going to University and have some ideas on what you want to study there, it is really importan to check out what the subject entry requirements for those types of courses are. Careers

advisors will be able to give you specific advice and University Admissions Tutors are often happy to explain, too. Make a list of which subjects are going to suit your future plans.

What is a good balance?

By now, you should have three lists: subjects you’re doing already that you enjoy; new subjects that you fancy trying and; subjects that are appropriate for your future plans. If you’re lucky, there will be plenty of overlap across those lists and your decision will be coming together already!

Just in case it’s not, here is one final piece of advice that might help. Think about the type of work that each A Level subject will involve. For example, subjects like English Literature, History and Law are likely to involve quite a lot of reading and essay writing. On the other hand, science subjects are more likely to be about practical experiments and writing up reports. And

Maths and Technology subjects will inevitably involve more numbers and theoretical workings out. If you are naturally drawn to, say, reading and essay writing, you might not be worried if you choose subjects that are all going to involve lots of each. However, if you prefer variety, you might want to choose subjects that will each challenge you to produce different types of work.

The decision...

When choosing A Levels, it can feel like there is lots of pressure to get it right but remember: only you can really know what feels right for you and nothing is ever set in stone. Although it’s not always easy to change an A Level subject.

You may have to wait until the following academic year to restart, for example, but it can be done. And, in life’s great journey, A Levels are only a couple of years of your life to get you on to whatever your next adventure is going to be so try to keep that in perspective. Good luck!

Physiotherapy: Helping people live their best life

Kit Shill works as a physiotherapist in a local NHS hospital. Here she tells us about her experience of training and why she finds the job so rewarding, even the emotionally tough cases.

“I remember that horrible conversation at 6th Form College about what you want to ‘BE’. I had no idea! I knew I wanted to work with people or animals and not in an office. Having gone through the list and worked out what I didn’t want, the only job left was physiotherapy! I didn’t really have any idea of what the job involved, but both my parents are dentists, so I think that probably influenced me towards healthcare. Although I’d done well at GCSE, I tanked my A Levels (in biology, chemistry and French) so I took a year out to travel and do resits. I applied to the universities that would do remote interviews and I was accepted at Bradford.

“The degree course was three years but, actually, about half of the time is on placements of some sort, actually starting to treat patients. For example, just in my first year, I did four weeks supervised placement that really helped me get a sense of what the role was. The university tried to give us experience of the different aspects of the role, including neuro, respiratory and MSK

(musculoskeletal), and in different settings –hospital, community and virtually - so that you have an idea of what each is like.

“In our final year, we had loads of lectures on interview technique, applying for jobs, etc., to help us with applying for our first junior role when we left. After you finish your degree, most of us start ‘rotations’ of about 6 to 12 months in a particular area, although that depends on how the NHS Trust you work for operates. If you don’t know what you want to, it’s actually a great way to experience the variety of the role. You can choose a static placement if you already know what you want to specialise in, but we were encouraged to move around to get the experience.

“My first role after university was in the neurobrain injury unit in Southampton. I loved it; the team were amazing, really inspirational. I was lucky enough to do my final university placement with them; it was the first placement where it really clicked for me, so I was happy to come back when I

graduated. The patients were amazing, too. I was working with people who suffered brain injuries as a result of trauma, some from stroke and some degenerative. It was a residential home so it was as if we were treating them in their own home, some supported, some living more independently. Whatever caused their injury, the result was either a lack of movement or cognitive impairment: some couldn’t walk, some couldn’t swallow, others perhaps couldn’t use their arms. So, our role was to optimise function for them and hopefully to get them back to independence but, if not, to get them coping as best they can. Sadly, some will never be able to live independently so we help them realise their potential, to understand where their limits lie, so they can still have a fulfilled life in spite of their injury.

“My next rotation was at Bradford Hospital, where I spent two years working around different areas. Working with outpatients, we were seeing individuals with physical movement issues who would come into the hospital for an appointment. Community was me going to them. These were often elderly patients who aren’t so mobile and they often presented with a variety of issues, such as loneliness or lack of confidence, as well as what I was treating them for. I often found that I would be involved in organising other support for them, too. Working in Respiratory was back in hospital, split between surgery, medical and paediatric (children). In surgery you might be on ICU (intensive care) dealing with people who have had an operation. People don’t realise that much of physiotherapy is about airway clearance, particularly if you aren’t strong enough to cough after surgery or illness, so I would see a lot of oesophageal and chest patients. Medicine was more about chronically unwell patients with longer-term illnesses. In paediatrics, we were dealing with children with lots of different conditions where they don’t have the strength to cough.

“When my boyfriend was headhunted back down south, I found a place at Winchester Hospital, largely in general care, before finding a paediatric specialism back in Southampton that allowed me to move around different areas again. I started with neuro-muscular, then acute neuro (spinal tumours, brain tumours), then to orthopaedics

(broken legs etc) then outpatient musculoskeletal for children.

“I then rotated out to a local children’s hospice, Naomi House, which offers end-of-life and respite care for children and young people. I really didn’t know what to expect or how I’d feel but, actually, the respite care is amazing; you usually see really sick kids in hospital but we see them living their best life, like they are on holiday and having days out. The end-of-life care is tough but a privilege to be part of those final memories with the family; the team are amazing and provide so much support to families who have lost someone.

“My current job is in paediatrics and neuromuscular, supporting people with neuromuscular conditions. I still support Naomi House and I took on an extra contract to support adult neuromuscular in hospital, too, so I’m quite busy!

“ There is no excuse for being bored and your job doesn’t have to stay the same for the rest of your working life.

“There is so much involved in physiotherapy; people think of it as just about physical movement but there is so much more to it than that. The beauty of physio is that it is so broad, you could specialise or change specialism if you wanted to. There is no excuse for being bored and your job doesn’t have to stay the same for the rest of your working life.

“I also love working as part of a team which includes other health professionals, like speech therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, doctors and psychologists; after a diagnosis, it’s a team approach. The nice thing about being a physio in a hospital is that we can be the ones with a bit more time than some nurses or doctors. If someone is

poorly on a ward, we perhaps have the time to take people outside to see their visiting pet or to get an ice cream. We have the time to do the extras –living and breathing isn’t enough.

“To be a physio, I think you have to be a good communicator: you often have to get the patient on board with what your approach is going to be, never mind their family and your colleagues. No day is the same so you always have to be prepared to learn; there will always be something you haven’t come across before. I think it also helps to be a proactive problem-solver. I should add that I hate the sight of blood! As a physio, I’d say you have to be OK with phlegm and vomit but I’m not a fan of other bodily fluids.

“I have chosen to stay within the NHS, but there is lots of scope to join a private practice if you’d prefer. You have to have a business mind if you want to set up your own, and there are lots of private clinics you could join. Physios usually work regular hours, rather than shifts, with perhaps the occasional on-call session or weekend.

“Sometimes it can be tough and emotionally difficult. What is amazing about our team is that support is never far away; if you do have a bad or tough day, there is always someone to listen. What gives me the most satisfaction is that I’ve made a change for someone, I’ve allowed them to be the best version of themselves they can be. I like to fix things; you can’t always fix everything, but you can usually do something to help, or you can find a colleague who will.”

How to become a Plumber

Becoming a plumber can be a rewarding and lucrative career choice for those who enjoy working with their hands, problemsolving, and have a technical aptitude. This guide will outline the steps and essential information to help you embark on the journey to becoming a skilled and successful plumber.

Research and Understand the Profession: Before diving into the world of plumbing, it's crucial to research and gain a clear understanding of the profession. Learn about the different types of plumbing, specialties within the field, and the day-to-day responsibilities of a plumber.

Educational Requirements: While some plumbers enter the field through apprenticeships, others pursue formal education. Consider enrolling at a Further Education College, or in a vocational program that offers plumbing courses. These programs typically cover topics such

as pipefitting, blueprint reading, plumbing codes, and safety procedures.

Apprenticeship Programs: Many aspiring plumbers opt for apprenticeship programs, which provide hands-on training and realworld experience. Look for opportunities to work under experienced plumbers, as this apprenticeship period is essential for honing practical skills and gaining industry insights.

Acquire Relevant Certifications: Depending on your location, obtaining relevant certifications may be necessary. These certifications often involve passing exams and meeting specific experience requirements.

Develop Technical Skills: Plumbers need a range of technical skills, including the ability to read blueprints, understand plumbing codes, and effectively use tools and equipment. Focus on developing these skills through both classroom instruction and practical experience.

Gain Practical Experience: Hands-on experience is invaluable in the plumbing profession. Work alongside experienced plumbers during your apprenticeship to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. This experience will enhance your problem-solving abilities and improve your overall competence.

Stay Informed about Industry Trends: Plumbing technology and techniques are continually evolving. Stay informed about the latest advancements, tools, and trends in the plumbing industry to remain competitive and provide high-quality service.

Networking and Building Professional Relationships: Build a strong network within the plumbing community. Attend industry events, join professional organisations, and connect with experienced plumbers. Networking can open doors to job opportunities, mentorship, and valuable advice.

Obtain Necessary Licenses: Check the licensing requirements in your area and ensure you meet all necessary criteria. Licensed plumbers often have better job prospects and can take on more responsibilities within the industry.

Launch Your Plumbing Career: Once you have completed your education, apprenticeship, and obtained necessary certifications, it's time to launch your plumbing career. Consider working for an established plumbing company or explore the option of starting your own plumbing business.

Becoming a plumber requires a combination of education, hands-on experience, and a commitment to continuous learning. By following these steps, you can build a solid foundation for a successful career in the plumbing industry. Remember to stay updated on industry developments and maintain a strong network within the plumbing community to thrive in this dynamic field.

T-Levels: What you need to know

Technical Levels, known as T-Levels, are equivalent to 3 A-Levels, and have been designed with employers so that you get the knowledge and skills that you need to progress into work, further study or an apprenticeship. They include three core elements:

Technical Qualification

The main, classroom-based element. Students will learn about different areas of the chosen industry.

Industry Placement

Runs for a minimum of 315 hours (45 days) overall and gives students practical insights into the sector.

English, maths and digital provision

A key part of the classroom-based element of the T-Level.

Why T-Levels?

By completing a T-Level, as opposed to ALevels, students are more informed about

the industry they wish to work in, have practical experience, and are more aware of what course, apprenticeship or job they wish to apply for.

On successfully completing a T-Level, a student can go on to study for a degree or related higher-level apprenticeship, take a different course or go straight into work. Jobs may be offered from their placements or from the related industry because of their highly relevant qualification and the experience that they have acquired through their T-Level.

To find out more go to www.tlevels.gov.uk/

Solent Careers Hub brings schools, colleges, and employers together, to ensure that business needs are met, and so that the Solent’s future workforce is inspired and have clear career aspirations.

In practical terms, this means ensuring that young people are aware of alternative post16 routes into work, including how vocational qualifications are better aligned with what employers are looking for.

Thinking of changing careers?

Here’s how to navigate the Paths and Opportunities

Embarking on a career change can be both daunting and exhilarating. Whether fuelled by a desire for personal growth, a shift in priorities, or unforeseen circumstances, transitioning to a new professional path requires careful consideration. In this article, we explore key steps and strategies.

Understand yourself

• Begin by reflecting on your skills, passions, and values. Identify what truly motivates you and brings satisfaction.

• Understand the reasons driving the desire for a career change, to be clear on your personal and professional goals.

Research

• Investigate potential industries and roles aligned with your interests and skills.

• Use online resources, networking events, and informational interviews to gain insights into different career paths.

Skill Assessment and Development

• Evaluate your skill set and identify areas that require enhancement for the targeted career.

• Invest time in upskilling through courses, workshops, or certifications, showcasing dedication to potential employers.

Building a Professional Network

• Connect with professionals in your desired field through networking events, social media platforms, and industry-specific gatherings.

• Seek mentorship and advice from individuals who have successfully navigated career transitions.

CV and Cover Letter

• Tailor your CV to highlight transferable skills and experiences relevant to the new career.

• Draft a compelling cover letter explaining your transition, emphasising the value you bring to the new role.

Job Search Strategies

• Utilise job boards, company websites, and recruitment agencies to explore job opportunities.

• Leverage your network for referrals, tapping into the hidden job market.

Flexibility and Adaptability

• Embrace a mindset of flexibility and adaptability, recognising that the journey may involve unexpected twists and turns.

• Stay open to opportunities that may not align precisely with the initial plan but contribute to long-term goals.

Navigating Interviews and Showcasing Transferable Skills

• Prepare for interviews by anticipating questions related to the career change.

• Emphasise transferable skills and experiences that demonstrate your ability to excel in the new role.

Seeking Professional Guidance

• Consider consulting career coaches or mentors who specialise in guiding individuals through career transitions.

• Professional advice can provide valuable insights and support in making informed decisions.

Embarking on a career change is a transformative journey that requires selfreflection, proactive research, and a willingness to adapt. By strategically approaching each step and leveraging available resources, individuals can navigate this transition successfully, unlocking new opportunities and realising their full potential in a fulfilling career.

An Accountant who didn’t go to university! Really?

Grace Bayton, at the age of 20, held the title of the youngest chartered management accountant. While many of her peers pursued traditional paths through academia, Grace opted for a different route, one that has propelled her into boardrooms alongside CEOs.

With brilliant GCSE results, Grace could have seamlessly transitioned into sixth form and eventually university. However, she was driven by her desire to immerse herself in the corporate world.

Despite the advice from family, teachers, and friends advocating for the conventional route of formal education, Grace remained steadfast in her decision to pursue practical experience over classroom learning. She reflects, "I think the experience of going to university is great for some people...but, in all honesty, I was ready to work."

Leaving college to embark on an apprenticeship raised eyebrows among her acquaintances, who questioned her unconventional choice. Yet, Grace remained resolute, recognising the value of real-world experience. She acknowledges the significance of forging one's own path, even if it means deviating from the norm.

This decision has yielded remarkable outcomes for Grace. By the age of 18, she had purchased her first home, and, at 20, she considered buying a second

“ Sometimes doing something different really pays off, and I'm a good example of that.

property while fielding job offers from companies across the UK eager to enlist her expertise.

The journey to becoming the youngest chartered management accountant involved grabbing the opportunity presented by an apprenticeship. Through on-the-job learning, Grace improved her skills and attained the necessary qualifications, setting a precedent for others to follow.

Grace's story underscores the importance of apprenticeships, which offer a diverse array of career pathways beyond traditional trades. Moreover, they serve as a viable alternative for those deterred by the escalating costs associated with higher education.

Reflecting on her journey, Grace expresses no regrets about her chosen path. She emphasises the importance of exploring all options and pursuing your ambition, rather than succumbing to the expectations of others.

As she aptly puts it, "Sometimes doing something different really pays off, and I'm a good example of that."

Grace now runs her own accountancy firm, Mad Spaniel Accounting, helping start-ups and established businesses manage their finances. The name of Grace’s firm reflects her love of dogs and the owner of a very mad spaniel!

How to become a TV Producer

Television production is a dynamic and exciting field that requires a unique blend of creativity, organisational skills, and industry knowledge. If you aspire to become a TV producer and play a key role in bringing captivating content to audiences worldwide, this guide will provide you with a roadmap to success.

Educational Background

While not mandatory, having a degree in film, television production, communications, or a related field can provide you with a solid foundation. Courses in media studies, scriptwriting, and production management are particularly beneficial.

Gain Practical Experience

Seek internships or entry-level positions at television stations, production companies, or networks. This hands-on experience will expose you to the inner workings of the industry and help you build valuable connections.

Develop Skills and Knowledge

Familiarise yourself with the fundamental aspects of television production, including scripting, directing, editing, and production management. Keep up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and changes in viewer preferences to stay relevant in a dynamic landscape.

Build a Portfolio

Showcase your skills by producing your own content. This could be short films, documentaries, or web series. A strong portfolio is essential when applying for higher-level positions.

Networking

Network with professionals in the field by attending industry conferences, film festivals, and networking events. Building relationships with industry insiders can open doors to potential opportunities.

Specialise in a Niche

Determine whether you are interested in drama, reality TV, documentaries, or other genres. Specialising in a niche can set you apart and make you an expert in a particular area.

Pursue Advanced Education

Consider pursuing a master's degree in television production or a related field to enhance your skills and open up advanced career opportunities.

Develop Leadership and Communication Skills

Learn how to communicate clearly and efficiently with team members, directors, writers, and other stakeholders. As a TV producer, you will often be in charge of a team. Developing leadership skills is crucial for overseeing projects successfully.

Gain Industry Knowledge

Keep up with industry news, market trends, and changes in technology. Understanding the business side of television production is essential for making informed decisions.

Build a Strong Reputation

Consistently produce high-quality content to build a positive reputation in the industry. Word-of-mouth recommendations can play a significant role in advancing your career.

Becoming a TV producer is a journey that combines education, hands-on experience, networking, and continuous skill development. By following this comprehensive guide and staying dedicated to your craft, you could navigate the competitive world of television production and carve out a successful career as a TV producer.

Five vital questions to ask before applying for university

Are you thinking about applying for university? Have you stopped to really think about why? Each year, around 6% of undergraduate students will drop out of their university course. This could be for a whole range of reasons, but a significant number are because their course or university life wasn’t what they were expecting. Whilst a good many will successfully complete further study or training elsewhere, perhaps a little more thought in advance could have saved them this ‘false start’.

The fundamental question has to be whether a university course is the right thing for you, for your learning style and for your future goals. But, how do you work that out? Here are a few questions to ask yourself that might help you to focus in on that decision.

Do you need a degree for the career you have chosen?

There are many professions which require a degree qualification as prerequisite of entry. There are others where a degree is an advantage, if not actually a requirement. However, there are other ways of achieving degree level qualifications than becoming a fulltime student, including part-time professional study, Open University and distance learning courses, and a growing number of Degree and Higher Apprenticeships. So, before you sign up

just because you feel you have to, it’s worth checking out if there are other routes into your chosen career.

Where will you live?

Many students choose to make going to university their chance to move away from home for the first time. If that’s true in your case, university accommodation offices can be brilliant in helping to find secure and reasonably priced housing options to ease you in. Many also offer different catering packages, if the idea of having to cook for yourself (or live on takeaways!) is filling you and your parents with dread.

However, it’s increasingly true that not all students do move away from home to study. With the increasing costs involved, living at home can keep accommodation and living

expenses down. This might be something you need to discuss with your parents – is your idea of a great student social life compatible with their idea of a peaceful household? And chances are you’ll need to pay for your own travel, so don’t forget to factor that in.

Are you passionate about your chosen subject?

Picking a subject that you enjoy or can see a clear purpose in is essential to giving yourself the best chance of success. Picking the subject that you just happened to do best at for A Level is not a guarantee that you will be motivated enough to reflect your best abilities. Think hard about what subject you choose to apply for and be as sure as you can be that it’s going to keep you engrossed for the length of the course. It is also worth reflecting on how you learn best and find out whether your chosen course will give you appropriate opportunities; it’s much harder to stay motivated if you’re a ‘practical’ learner who finds themselves trapped in lecture theatres or libraries most of the time.

Are you prepared for the financial consequences?

For about twenty years now, it’s been a reality that university students need to pay not only for their own upkeep but tuition fees as well. Clearly thousands of people do take that step every year; the interest and repayment rates are usually reasonable and have become as much as part of financial life as rent or mortgage repayments. And you don’t have to start paying anything back until you’ve reached the earnings threshold. However, it can still feel like a big commitment, so it is worth chatting to a student finance expert to put your mind at rest. And taking out those loans for a course you’re not committed to could feel rather pointless in the long term.

Are you feeling brave enough?

Starting a university course is a big step for anyone, at any time in their life. For most, it means leaving behind friends from school and college and making a new start, if not in a new town, at least in a new institution. It’s reasonable to expect to be nervous but many people will take to it like a duck to water (as the saying goes) and, once they have settled in, they will never look back. There are things you can do to help yourself with that settling in process, of course:

Find out how many students will be on the course you apply for – smaller numbers will often mean that friendship groups form more easily than on courses with much larger numbers.

Think about whether a campus university or one based on a town centre site would suite you best; if you are in accommodation on a campus site, it might feel a bit more manageable while you get to know the ropes.

See if you can find out what sort of accommodation is on offer; would a house or flat-share be an opportunity to make friends more quickly than a large university hall of residence (although many halls are now organised into ‘flats’).

Be honest about your social skills and plan ahead to make this big step a little easier on yourself.

Overall, a university degree is a very positive experience for a very large number of people. Friendships formed at university can often last a lifetime, for example, and there are regularly surveys that show people with degrees earn more over their working life than those who don’t. However, being sure that you’re going to university for the right reasons for you is the best way to ensure you will get the most out of it.

What is marketing?

Many people think of advertising when we talk about marketing. While that is part of the role, marketing covers so much more than that. It’s also very true that digital and social media channels have seen a revolution in the tools available. Here’s our summary of what marketers do and the skills you might need if you’re thinking about entering the profession.

“Marketing is the management process for identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitably” or that’s how the Chartered Institute of Marketing (the CIM) define it. The CIM is the largest association of marketing professionals in the world so they should probably know. But, while this is useful as a quick soundbite, it doesn’t really begin to describe what marketing people actually do every day.

Marketing as a business discipline really only began to find its feet in the 1950s when consumer spending power became worth competing for. Marketers realised that it wasn’t enough to say that “our ice cream

tastes the best”, you also had to get the price right, and where you sold it right, and get the packaging right, and that you advertised it in the right places. Understanding what your customers needed and then convincing them you have the solution seemed to be the answer. It's probably fair to say that most marketers have an interest in human psychology or, at least, what makes their customers tick. And as consumers have become more sophisticated, so marketers have had to up their game to keep up.

Perhaps the first task that marketers need to be doing in order to sell their product or service is market research: Is there anyone

who will buy what we can sell? If not, what can we sell that people want to buy? Market research methods can vary from things like taste tests and focus groups to mystery shoppers and online surveys. Conducting research in an organised way is one skill, interpreting the results is another. This can often be where a love of detail and spreadsheets comes into its own; most marketers love to ‘crunch some numbers’ to see what trends or patterns they can find in their data. Those patterns then inform decisions going forward, from what colour should it be to how much should we charge. With the arrival of digital platforms, every post becomes a mini piece of live market research, that we can record and analyse for results.

Having identified that you have something that will sell, marketers then need to go about promoting it. As well as all the traditional methods: billboards, magazine adverts, direct mail, sponsoring a sports team, celebrity endorsement and so on, the digital explosion of the 21st century has probably quadrupled the methods we have access to. Perhaps the biggest challenge for every marketer is to balance out which of them are going to be most effective to reach their potential customers, how quickly they will work and fitting that all within the budget you’ve got. Even something like free posts on social media take time to produce, so need to be allocated a cost.

Once we have our marketing campaign roughed out, we then need to populate it with images, videos and text appropriate to our messages and the marketing channels we have chosen. This is perhaps where the traditional creative or artistic types are in their element; drafting different colour schemes for brand images, setting up photo-shoots or writing blogs and articles about their product. We need to make sure that any content we produce is appealing to our target audience so we may go back to our market research skills at this stage to test out different options.

Marketers then need the organisational skills to make sure their marketing campaign happens on time and on budget, monitoring activities as they happen to perhaps make

‘live’ tweaks as they go. And then there will be the need to reflect on how it all went and what could be even better next time. Time for a dashboard or spreadsheet again!

Increasingly, marketers are seen as the experts in communication so marketing teams in some organisations may also have a role to play in internal communications keeping colleagues informed, events, including charity activities, and recruitment. It is true to say that marketing continues to evolve, meaning the diversity of roles available within marketing has expanded, often to become more technical and specialist than they used to be. Marketing is an exciting and constantly developing profession which can offer huge variety and frequent learning opportunities.

Agency vs. In-house?

Marketing specialists tend to work either in a company, promoting their services, or work for an agency, who are hired by other companies.

Very broadly, the difference is:

• If you like to get under the skin of a business, working in-house for a company willprobably suit you better. You may getinvolved in all types of marketing activityfrom events to website design for that organisation.

• If you would like to specialise in a particular area, for example paid social media, you mightfind an agency allows you to do that. You willjust focus on this particular aspect of marketing,but for lots ofdifferent businesses.

Both agency and in-house roles can offer variety and learning opportunities, but perhaps in slightly different ways.

Skills today’s marketers need or need to learn

Creativity – not necessarily ‘arty’ but certainly to have an eye for style and what looks good.

Literacy– even a tweet needs to be written by someone so good grammar, spelling and vocabulary will be a big plus.

Number skills – you don’t need A Level Further Maths to be a good marketer, but you will regularly need to balance budgets or analyse Google Analytics stats, so being comfortable with numbers is essential.

IT Skills – using digital and social platforms has meant that marketers need some understanding of how these platforms operate: you don’t need to go

‘full geek’ although there are roles in marketing where that’s essential, marketers need an idea of how today’s rapidly changing technology works.

Teamwork and communication –Marketers do not operate in isolation; they will work with teams of people, from production colleagues to agency staff. And it’s not just about telling them clearly what you want, you need to listen to information or potential problems that are flagged to you.

Organisation – marketers often need to juggle their day-to-day work with events or campaigns on top of that, so being methodical and a good multi-tasker helps.