Thinking about what you might want to do when you finish school may be something that you have been planning for some time. For many teens it is not until the last years of school that you begin to think about it seriously. It is important to remember that what you choose now will not necessarily be what you will be doing in 5, 10 or 20 years’ time.
While you are at secondary school you will discuss possible pathways to study or employment with family, friends and teachers. To help you think about possible options you might like to think about the following:
- What am I interested in doing
- How can I find out more about what I’m interested in
- Who can I ask to help me with this
- Do I have the skills for the job
- Is what I want to do reliant on exam results to do further study
- Do I want to start an apprenticeship or traineeship
- Are there any jobs in the areas that I am interested in
For some teens your final year results will determine your pathway. Many schools have careers and transition support teachers who can help you to navigate the pathways. Once you have made some decisions about your pathway you need to plan how to progress with your choice. There are some general considerations that you will need to think about:
- What is my first choice and what is my plan if I am not successful
- Where will my further study or work be located
- Will I still be living at home
- How far will I have to travel and can I get my drivers licence
- How have I managed my ADHD at school and what will I need to do now to make sure I can manage my future needs
In helping you to plan and consider your choices, it is a good idea to set yourself goals. In your planning you also need to remember that if you have a further learning disability such as Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD) then this will may have an impact on planning and choices.