Lillie Said:

What do i have to do to qualify as a Health and Social Worker without taking up long courses?

We Answered:

There are many different fields within the health care & social worker industry, and anything where you might be working with the aged, young or disabled will require some sort of qualification and training, because these people can be vulnerable to abuse etc. And many employers may also require you to have a current police check, to ensure you have no criminal history, such as abuse (in its forms) or theft etc.

Certainly the more qualifications and experience you have the better your wage will be, obviously the more years of study the higher the wage. Although very few will make you rich.

When I first started at a Youth & Disability support worker (16 years ago) you just needed to have keen interest in working with people with disabilities etc. But in the last 10 years or so, there has been huge push to make sure staff are qualified and trained appropriately. Because of my experience and qualifications I am paid the at the highest rate, almost twice that of someone one with no qualifications.

As one of the other answerer's has said you need to be a little more specific as to which field, once you have done this you might like to seek the advice from a careers adviser, who should be able tell you exactly what qualifications etc you need.

Allied Health Assistant
Nutritionist/dietitian
Teacher Aide
Companion
Respite carer
Disability advocate
Speech therapist
Occupational therapist
Physiotherapist
Educational psychologist
Special education teacher
Social worker
Family worker
Child social worker
Disability social worker
Disability support worker
Community support worker

And so many more, some require a lot more years of school than others. Given you have some administration qualifications, why not apply for jobs in the health care sector as they are often looking for staff with qualifications in admin & public relations etc.

Allan Said:

Career choice? At A level now??

We Answered:

Law can really help people! Think about Family Law - you could help people gain custody of their children, for example. It doesn't all have to be about companies and copyright.

However, it's great that you're considering other options at this early stage!

When you're in 6th form, it can feel as if you have to go on the same path as everyone else. I felt that I had to get my A-Levels done when I was 18, like everyone else, otherwise I'd get left behind.

But I've just done 4 years at Uni studying Psychology and realise that I no longer want to do it! But hey, I'm only 23 - I could go and study something else if I wanted to! You are young - you've got time to change your mind!

Try taking online tests about careers. This one from Learn Direct is brilliant - http://ufi.axiainteractive.net/learndire…

If you find things that interest you, work backwards and look at your routes into the career. If it says you need a degree, but doesn't specify what A-Levels you need, go and look at some University websites - look at the course, then it should tell you what A levels are preferred. It isn't always set in stone though - I was told I needed a science degree to do Psychology; yet got in with only Psychology, English, Sociology and Philosophy A levels!

If you do decide that you want to do other A levels, at least finish this school year. Get your AS levels - even if you think they are pointless. This will look great on your CV - you've had the presence of mind to go in another direction; but you still stuck it out for the last few months to get your qualifications. You aren't a quitter.

If you decide that you want to work with animals, consider voluntary or low-paid work at an animal shelter. Nowadays, when lots of people have the right qualifications, employers look for experience as a way of choosing people for the job. If you've got the perfect A levels and all the right qualifications, but no experience whatsoever, you'll lose out to someone who has the same qualifications AND experience! So use your free time wisely :-)

Also remember that even though it feels like it now, you don't have to know what you want to do for the rest of your life. You can change your mind. If you start a degree and don't like it, you can change! It's better to spend a year chopping and changing then get it right than slog for 4 years and change your mind at the end of it!

xx Emmie

Ivan Said:

I graduate in June of 2010, what can I do with my career?

We Answered:

Thats kind of a tough question. I guess the best answer from me is that you probably need to do some searching within. If you have a love and passion for the restaurant industry, by all means stick with it. As, a degree in Economics will only help in pursuing advanced level positions within the industry. With your 14 years experience, you probably could easily transition into a consultant type or training role. I'm sure you can bring some restaurant industry insight. Another option, if you want create some diversions..... you could consider teaching part-time in the culinary arts... even if it more of the non-cooking classes but the business related aspects of the industry. With your experience ,you can could probably easily land an adjunct faculty job at a school that has a culinary program.

Otherwise, if you want a complete change, you may want to research the types of careers that are often pursued with people who have earned the same degree. You may find a career path that you might actually enjoy. From there, I guess you will need to know where to start, such as internships, etc...

Most importantly, listen to your heart. Life is too short to not enjoy what you do for a living. Work to live, don't live to work.

Best of luck.
Dale

Albert Said:

How could I incorporate cheerleading (or sports in general) into a future career?

We Answered:

Nursing would be great, especially if you could work with physical therapists or orthopedics. The patients would enjoy "naturally" happy and outgoing people like yourself.