So What Next?A guide for Year 12 students for options at 18

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INTRODUCTION

STARTING POINTSMAKING A START | 3A ‘TO DO’ LIST | 3NEED IDEAS? | 4CAREERS & EMPLOYMENT | 5HIGHER EDUCATION | 5-6

UNIVERSITYINTRODUCING HIGHER EDUCATION | 9THE WHY, WHAT AND WHERE OF HIGHER EDUCATION | 9 - 10WHAT TO STUDY | 10 HOW AND WHEN TO APPLY | 11APPLICATIONS TIMELINE | 12ADMISSIONS ADVICE FROM LISA JOHNSON | 13INSIDERS VIEW: NATASHA BARNES | 15-19

HE FINANCE GRANTS AND STUDENT LOANS | 21 - 24DEGREE OR WORK? BY SEAN PARTRIDGE .....24-25

STARTING WORKWANT TO WORK? | 27 JOBS IN NORFOLK | 27 APPRENTICESHIPS | 28 CASE STUDY – DANIELLE WILLIAMS | 29

So What Next is for Year 12 students on Level 3 courses (such as A Level, BTEC National Diploma, or OCR Diploma).It talks about your options at 18, where you can find out more and how to make applications.

If you are doing a course like GCSE, BTEC First or NVQ 2 which finishes at the end of this year, you can:• Stay on for a level 3 course such as A Level, BTEC National or NVQ 3.• Start a job or work based training, such as an Apprenticeships.

You’ll find more information on these options in the Connexions Norfolk publications Moving On and Your Next Move. Contact Connexions Norfolk for your personal copies.

CONTENTS

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APPLYING FOR JOBS | 30 - 32GOING FOR AN INTERVIEW | 32- 33FINDING WORK WITH help you choose | 33CASE STUDY – JOSEPH O’KEEFE | 34DON’T DO THIS | 35

STUDYING LOCALLYSTUDYING IN NORFOLK (& SUFFOLK) | 39FINDING AND APPLYING FOR LEVEL 2 & 3 COURSES IN NORFOLK | 39FINDING COURSES WITH help you choose | 39 HE FOR NORFOLK | 40 STAYING OR GOING | 41

ADDING TO YOUR APPLICATIONVOLUNTEERING AND MAKING GOOD USE OF YOUR GAP YEAR | 43 VOLUNTEER NOW | 43 A YEAR OUT | 44 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF TAKING A GAP YEAR | 44 FINDING OUT ABOUT A GAP YEAR | 45PLANNING YOUR GAP YEAR | 45CASE STUDY – ISOBEL DRAGONETTI | 46 CASE STUDY – REBECCA SAVAGE & TANYA EDWARDS | 47 - 48

If you are on the first year of a Level 3 course(e.g. AS/A Level, BTEC National Diploma) you will have four options at the end of next year:

• Starting work or training.• Going to university.• Doing another Level 3 course, for example

the Art Foundation course.• Taking a gap year. See pages 44-47 for more on taking

a gap year.

FIRSTTake some time and think about the skills and knowledge you already have and what you will need in the future. Different courses and careers require different skills. On the UCAS website many courses have ‘Entry Profiles’ describing the skills they require. Similarly Job Descriptions list the abilities and skills you need to do a particular job. Use Entry Profiles and Job Descriptions to identify those skills you need to develop if you want to go into a particular course or career.

BUILD YOUR OWN SKILLS BASETake advantage of all the opportunities available now and in the future. Get involved in community activities; think about volunteering. Would work experience or work shadowing help? Also look at your part-time work: even the most basic job can help build skills like communication and working as part of a team.

MAKE A NOTERecord the things you do and, later, you can use this as evidence that you have the skills needed for a job or course. Begin now and make writing job applications or UCAS personal statements much easier next year.

STARTING POINTS

SUMMER TERM YEAR 12Research and decide

• Use the sources of information in this booklet• Speak to your tutors and advisers• Attend the Higher Education Convention on June16th• Some university courses ask you to complete an

entry test (e.g. Medicine). Check if you need to do one and when. More on the UCAS website

• Go to university and college open days• Investigate companies who offer the job you want• Think about work experience or work shadowing• Research sponsorship for university• You can make an initial registration with UCAS

AUTUMN TERM YEAR 13Begin applying

• Main period for making applications to university and nursing through UCAS

• Time to apply for sponsorship• For jobs, larger national companies begin to recruit

SPRING TERM YEAR 13More applications and decisions

• Local companies recruit more actively• Make speculative applications for jobs• You get decisions from universities. (If you don’t have

any offers, or reject all your offers, you can continue to send applications via UCAS Extra)

• Some Art and Design courses take UCAS applications through to 24th March

SUMMER YEAR 13Exams and results

• Continue applying for jobs• If you are not successful in finding a university place

you can apply again through ‘Clearing’.

A ‘TO DO’ LISTMAKING A START

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PERSONAL ADVISERS FROMCONNEXIONS NORFOLK

Your Connexions Personal Adviser can help with:• Guidance to help you decide which course or career

would suit you best• Advice about how you could achieve your ambitions

in life and about how to overcome or deal with issues that affect you

• Information on any subject you need to explore

Maybe you need some other support. Perhaps you have adisability and need information and advice about how toapproach education and employment providers. A health or lifestyle issue might be a barrier to you achieving what you want to do. Whatever your circumstances, your Personal Adviser can help or refer you to a specialist agency if you both feel that is the way forward.

Personal Advisers work in every high school and college in Norfolk as well as at Connexions Centres throughout the county. If you wish to speak to a Personal Adviser.

• Check with your Tutor or Head of Year when the Personal Adviser visits your school or college

• Visit or phone your local Connexions Centre – refer to back page for details of all the centres

YOU CAN ALSO:• Visit the Connexions Norfolk websites

helpyouchoose.org and talkaboutyou.org• Access Connexions Direct who provide an advice

service over the phone, via the web or through text messaging. See back page for contact details.

NEED IDEAS?

STARTING POINTS

MORE INFORMATION AND IDEAS

NOT SURE WHICH CAREER WILL APPEAL?

Use Kudos – a careers database and a guidance program: particularly useful in the early days of exploring careers ideas. Most schools and colleges in Norfolk have Kudos on their networks. It takes about 20 minutes to do the question and answer routine to generate some new careers ideas.

WANT TO GO TO UNIVERSITY BUT DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO? TRY:

• Higher Ideas – specialises in quickly generating ideas and giving information about degrees and similar courses: useful for introducing ideas for further research. Many schools in Norfolk have Higher Ideas.

• Course Discover – also available in some schools and colleges. Database of HE courses with an ideas generator and other general information. http://demo.coursediscoveronline.co.uk

• The Stamford Test on the UCAS website www.ucas.com. Answer some questions and get a list of suggestions about suitable degrees.

• Course Finder on www.ukcoursefinder.com Complete a study interests questionnaire and it checks through a database of 50,000+ courses to help you find your ‘dream course’

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BOOKS• Careers 2010 – careers information made simple • Jobfile – a careers encyclopaedia• Jobs and Careers After A Levels – looks at 40

people who started work after A Level and the jobs they do

COMPUTER PROGRAMS• CLIPS – 530 articles describing over 1,200 jobs.

Available over the internet as E CLIPS. You’ll need a password from your school or college.

• Kudos – a do-it-yourself careers interview on the computer

Both these programs should be available in your sixth form or college.

WEBSITES• Jobs4U on www.connexions-direct.com – a good

careers information database• Apprenticeships – www.apprenticeships.org.uk• www.prospects.ac.uk – good for careers after

university• Self employment? Try www.princes-trust.org.uk

and www.shell-livewire.org• www.careersbox.co.uk – access to a careers film

library – all free to view online. See real people doing real jobs!

• Most companies and professional bodies now have their own websites – probably the quickest way to get information on any one job. Web addresses can be found in Careers 2009 or Jobfile.

• www.sectorcareersinfo.co.uk - gives access to over 20 sites on specific career sectors

CAREERS AND EMPLOYMENT HIGHER EDUCATION

BOOKSMany of these should be available in your sixth form or college.

• Art and Design Directory – a detailed guide to art and design courses in colleges and universities

• Creating your own UCAS Personal Statement - tips on getting your Personal Statement right.

• Degree Course Offers – useful book which is best known for its list of the grades required by universities for particular courses. Also contains other helpful information on admission to university.

• Directory of Teacher Training Courses – useful if you are looking to go straight into teacher training

• Hot Courses Undergraduate and Funding Guide – very useful introduction to higher education and, probably, the cheapest book on the market.

• How To Complete Your UCAS Application – advice on the ‘dos and don’ts’ when filling in your UCAS form

• Daily Telegraph Guide to UK Universities – consumer guide giving a student’s eye view of what it is like to live and study at particular universities

• The Big Guide – UCAS database in book form (see websites)

• Times Good University Guide – best known for its league table rankings of universities. The Guardian University Guide has a similar content

• What Do Graduates Do? – information on which jobs people go into after university

Most of the above should be available in your sixth form or college.

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WEBSITESThe big website is www.ucas.com. It’s the official UCAS website and includes sophisticated course searches, course profiles and links to every university and college in the UCAS system.Other useful websites include:

• www.direct.gov.uk – click Education and Learning and then University and higher education for a good introductory site. You can also access Student Finance England from this site.

• www.aimhighernorfolk.org - help from the local Aimhigher team

• www.aimhigher.ac.uk/uni4me – provides an introduction to higher education at university or college in England

• www.aimhigher.ac.uk/practitioner/home/ – Higher Education & Research Opportunities

• www.nus.org.uk – National Union of Students – the site of the UK union representing students. Has a good section on student life.

• www.opendays.com – the directory of university and college open days

• www.prospects.ac.uk – for careers for graduates• www.push.co.uk – Push online says it is ‘the

ruthlessly independent guide to UK universities’• www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk -

include university league tables by subject • www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance - for

information on HE finance• www.skill.org.uk – Skill is useful for students with

disabilities who are looking at universities• www.unistats.com – the official website to help

you compare subjects at unis and colleges in the UK

HIGHER EDUCATION continued...

STILL NOT SURE? BEGINNING TO SINK?Talk to your Tutor or Connexions Personal Adviser.They can help you work out a way of deciding or managing the situation if you can’t decide now.

SUMMARYYOU SHOULD NOW KNOW:

• About Entry Profiles on the UCAS website• What you need to do in the next year• How to get new ideas about courses and jobs• Which books and websites will help you

WHAT TO DO NOW:• Start researching your options• Look for university and college open days• Check if work experience or work shadowing will

help your application

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UNIVERSITY

At the moment you will be studying at Level 3 (A/AS Level or BTEC National) or Level 2 (GCSE or BTEC First). Higher Education refers to those courses above Level 3 and includes Degrees, Foundation Degrees, Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE) and Higher National Diplomas (HND).

HONOURS DEGREESDegrees usually involve three years of full-time study.A practical placement or study abroad can add an extrayear. Degrees lead to the award of qualifications such asBachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc). Theyrequire a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent but popular courses and places will ask for much more.

ENHANCED DEGREESSome degree courses, such as those for Medicine orVeterinary Science, take five years or more as they include specialist training. Others, for example in some Engineering or Science subjects, are extended to allow you to take your course to a higher, Masters, level. You study the subject in greater depth and take additional units. You are likely to be asked for high grades.

FOUNDATION DEGREES, HNDs AND DIP HEsThese are courses that equate to completing thesecond year of an honours degree. They share somefeatures in common:

• The full-time versions last two years. A sandwich (practical) placement can add up to an extra year.

• They are ‘end-qualifications’ in their own right• They can usually be ‘topped-up’ to honours degree

level by a further year’s study• Entry qualifications are generally lower than for

traditional degrees• Between them they cover a wide variety of subjects

that are usually vocational

INTRODUCING HIGHER EDUCATION (HE)

Why go onto Higher Education?Here are some possible benefits and drawbacks ofembarking on a higher education course.Higher education offers the opportunity to:

• Achieve your academic potential• Get a qualification for a high level job• Develop other skills to improve your career prospects• Realise your full personal and social potential, including

sporting, recreational and cultural ambitions• Meet students from different countries, cultures and

creeds• Experience an open environment, free of dogma,

domination and discrimination• Make life-lasting friendships and relationships• Earn more – some facts and figures:

– The average graduate starting salary in 2007 was over £18,000. The highest starting salary reported in 2008 was nearly £40,000. – A survey by the Association of Graduate Recruiters, representing companies who consistently recruit graduates, suggests that the median salary offered to new graduates was £24,000. (Median is the middle of a set of values.)– Research from the University of Wales says‘graduates’ lifetime earnings should be at least£150,000 more than their non-graduate peers.’These are net figures after tax, tuition costs andincome foregone because of studying.– Three and half years after graduation, only 2% of‘economically active’ graduates are unemployed.

Look at www.prospects.ac.uk to see more on student earnings (under jobs and work heading).

THE WHY, WHAT AND WHEREOF HIGHER EDUCATION

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There are, of course, some possible drawbacks:• There is a short term financial cost. In all probability

you’ll be in debt when you leave university.• You can miss the support from home and feel some

initial confusion as so many new things happen all at once.

• You may lose touch with some of your old friends and well-established close relationships can break down. But, equally, you will make new friends at university.

Choose your course and place of study carefully to minimise the chances of things not working out.

These and other issues may encourage you to consider alternatives to the traditional full-time route. You could look at part-time courses or distance learning through organisations like the Open University. Others delay entry into Higher Education or decide to go into employment and develop their careers by taking professional qualifications while working.

THE WHY, WHAT AND WHEREOF HIGHER EDUCATION cont...

Higher education is BIG. There are around 50,000, courses, in hundreds of different subjects and subject combinations, delivered in over 350 institutions of higher education. Choosing the right course can seem overwhelming and the process daunting. Think of it as taking a series of steps.

STEP 1Identify the subject you want to study.Have you a particular talent or aptitude you want to develop or a subject you want to study in greater depth?You may have a particular career in mind where you need to study a specific subject. Or if it isn’t essential to do a particular subject, maybe there is one that will give you an advantage in your chosen career. To come up with new ideas use the Stamford Test on theUCAS website, Higher Ideas or Course Finder on www.coursefinder.com or Course Discover (one of these is available in most Norfolk schools and colleges). And don’t miss Norfolk’s own Higher Education Convention on June 16th 2010.For most people this first step is the hardest bit. If you are finding it difficult to make a choice, seek advice.

STEP 2Develop a ‘long’ list of places that offer the courseyou want. Now you start making decisions about where to study. Things get a bit easier once you have a long list.

STEP 3Start looking at prospectuses, course brochures and online Entry Profiles (www.ucas.com) in more detail.Look at the course content – different places can tackle the same subject in quite different ways. Also begin taking into account non-academic issues such as accommodation, locality, travel, social life etc.

WHAT TO STUDY

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STEP 4Think tactically – look at the grades that different places require. Compare these with the predictions about the grades you can expect. Think about whether you need a mix of places asking for higher and lower grades.

STEP 5Create a final short list.Using the knowledge gained so far, draw up a short list of maybe 10 or 12 places. Ideally try to visit some or all of them before choosing which five will go on your UCAS form.You are now ready to apply.

HOW AND WHEN TO APPLY

UCASApplying to the vast majority of higher education courses, including Nursing, is done through UCAS (The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

UCAS is a centralised system that allows you to apply to up to five courses on one online form. Your applications are ‘concurrent’ – they are all considered at the same time without any reference to each other. Consequently you can receive up to five offers of a place. When all your choices have replied you have to narrow them down to a maximum of two offers. You decide on a first, or firm, offer and a second, insurance, offer.

All studio based Art and Design courses have nominated a closing date of 15th January 2011 or 24th March 2011 for UCAS applications. This allows an applicant to delay applying until he or she has a fully developed portfolio to take to any interview. Applicants can still choose any combination of up to five courses.

CUKASCUKAS is for applications to practice-based music courses at the seven UK Conservatoires. The 2011 opening date is souly 2010 and the scheme will run through to 31st August 2011.

DIRECTThere are a very few colleges that take direct applications, for example, for some specialist Dance and Drama courses. Applications for the Art Foundation Course at local colleges also need direct applications..You should contact these direct for guidance on applying.

Want to study locally look at pages 39 to 41 for more on higher education in Norfolk

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SPRING TERM YEAR 13• You receive offers of places, or rejections, from your

five UCAS choices. Offers are usually ‘conditional’ and can be in points (e.g. 300), grades (e.g. BBB) or a mixture of both. (Look at the UCAS website to learn more about the UCAS Tariff, the method for converting grades into points.)

• When you have all your decisions, you choose one offer as your ‘firm’ choice and another as your ‘insurance’.

• If you have no offers, or reject all offers, you can make additional applications, one at a time, via UCAS Extra.

• Applications through UCAS for all Art and Design courses must be completed by March 24th 2011.

SUMMER YEAR 13• If your results meet the conditional offer, your

place will be confirmed and you will be expected to honour the agreement. (There may be a very limited opportunity to make adjustments to your application immediately after the A Level results, but you are strongly advised not to let this influence your initial applications.)

• If you are not successful in finding a place (e.g. you don’t get the right grades) you can apply for courses with vacancies through ‘Clearing’.

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APPLICATIONS TIMELINE

SUMMER TERM YEAR 12• Use the books, programs and websites described in

this publication to draw up a long list of courses.• Contact universities for more information.• Attend the Higher Education Convention on June

16th at the UEA.• Make initial registration with UCAS (this should be

easily done on a computer at you school or college).• Some universities/courses (eg. Medicine) want you to

complete an entry test. Check if you need to do one and when.

• Visit universities and colleges on their open days. This can be expensive – check if your school or college is organising visits or has funds to help you.

• If you are thinking of sponsorship, begin looking now – it could affect your applications.

• CUKAS applications open in July.

AUTUMN TERM YEAR 13• UCAS applications begin in September and usually

need to be made by15th January 2010. BUT the closing date for applications for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science and to Oxford or Cambridge is 15th October 2010. (NOTE; also applications to some art and design courses may be continued for longer – see Spring Term below. Check which closing date your chosen isntitution is using.)

• You can apply for up to five courses in UCAS (but only four specifically for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science).

• You can opt to begin your application for loans, grants etc on your UCAS form.

• Applications for Art Foundation courses are usually made this term or early next.

• CUKAS applications must be in by 31st August 2011.

Universities rely heavily, and in some subject areas almost exclusively, on the contents of your UCAS form when deciding whether or not to make you an offer. Here are a few pointers on how to maximise the impact of your application.

YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENTProbably the most important section of the UCAS form. You should start off by clearly explaining what subject you wish to study, why you find the subject interesting, and what careers you might wish to pursue after you complete your degree. This will show that you have an ‘informed interest’, i.e. you know exactly what a degree in that subject involves, you have thoroughly researched your choice of courses, and you have a genuine interest in the subject area.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS, RESPONSIBILITIES OR WORK EXPERIENCE

Next you should give details of any special achievements, responsibilities or work experience you have undertaken, followed by details of your hobbies or interests. Where possible you should show what skills you’ve learned while pursuing these activities, and explain why they might be useful to you during your degree.

DEFERRED ENTRY

If you’re applying for deferred entry, you should explain why you want to take a gap year and what you intend to do during your year out.

ANY PROBLEMS?

Many applicants have to deal with problems either at home or school, or with their mental or physical health. Admissions staff are highly sympathetic to such difficulties, and telling the university when you apply will allow them to make provision for any special needs that you have.

ROUNDING OFF

An effective way to round off your personal statement is to stress your interest in the subject and list a few personal qualities that make you an excellent candidate for your choice of degree. Finally, check you’ve completed all the sections of the form, make sure you’ve listed all your qualifications and check for spelling mistakes before you send your form off to UCAS.

MORE INFORMATION

Look at the UCAS website for more information on writing a Personal Statement (from the menu on the left of the screen go to starting your application; how to apply; your personal statement). There are a number of books on writing a personal statement, for example ‘ How To Write A Winning UCAS Personal Statement ‘ or ‘Creating Your UCAS Personal Statement’.

SOLID ADVICE FROM LISA JOHNSON, ADMISSIONS MANAGER OF THE

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA.

A PERSONAL VIEW

Thinking about going to university? It’s a big step but going to university is a great way to get good qualifications while often having a life-changing experience. University is for anyone who wants to go - if you’ve got a desire to study, there’ll be a way to get you there! There are hundreds of universities in the UK and thousands of different courses to choose from - more choice than you’ll ever have had before. Studying at university is a really exciting experience. First off, you’ll have been able to choose exactly what you want to study, with courses ranging from the very general broad subject to specialist areas of interest. On top of that, most courses offer students the ability to pick and choose modules to make up their studying experience - leaving you in control of what you want to study.

You’ll be taught by lecturers who are often experts in the fields you’re learning about - it’s not unusual to go to the library to research your next assignment only to realise that the guy lecturing you this morning has written all the major books on that topic! If you’re up for the chance to expand your mind and learn how to think in a completely new way, university is for you. Universities are at the cutting edge of thought and research, which means you’ll have the chance to see - and even participate - in discovering new discoveries and ideas.

Studying at uni is different to studying at school or working in a job. The emphasis is about your work as an individual and the ideas you’re coming up with, not just what a textbook is telling you. Depending on how many structured classes you have, the focus is on you to work out how to use your time and get the studying done. At first, big lectures full of students, coursework and this personal responsibility take a bit of getting used to, but most universities help students settle in and find their feet - you’re not chucked in the deep end!

HIGHER EDUCATION - AN INSIDER’S VIEW. FROM NATASHA BARNES, COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER FOR THE UNION OF UEA STUDENTS

Studying at uni is different to studying at school or working in a job. The emphasis is about your work as an individual and the ideas you’re coming up with, not just what a textbook is telling you.”

”

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IT’S ALL ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES

University is all about opportunities, and not just the academic ones! Many people who go to uni see it as a life changing time - a chance to find out about themselves and learn about other people along the way. For some, it’s the first time in their lives where they don’t have parents, teachers or bosses telling them what to do, which allows them to work out what they want. For others, meeting lots of new people - and even moving to a new place - means that they discover a lot about themselves.

Uni offers you the chance to meet lots of new people and to try out new things. Most students’ unions will offer student sports clubs and societies, which will be cheap to join. They give you great opportunities to try something new. At UEA, there are clubs and societies for journalism, art and football, but also clubs and socs for Capoeira, Cheese and the university’s own radio station.

There will often be a thriving social scene available too - most students’ unions run entertainments which cater for all sorts of people. At UEA, we’re really lucky - our Union provides great gigs, fun student club nights, cafes and bars to socialise in, as well as films, jazz clubs, karaoke and a whole host of other interesting events.

It can be a bit daunting at first to take the plunge and meet loads and loads of new people. But at uni, you’ll meet a whole bunch of other students who will have had completely different experiences to you and who you probably would never have met otherwise! Many people make life-long friends while at university. There are loads of chances to meet people, whether in lectures, clubs, societies or through the people that you live with.

Lots of - but not all - students choose to live in university halls of residence, which give the opportunity to flat share with anywhere between 4 and 12 people.

The trick with fitting in at uni is to be yourself and be ready to get out there and get to meet as many people as possible. Joining clubs and societies will help you find people who are into the same kind of interests as you.

The trick with fitting in at uni is to be yourself and be ready to get out there and get to meet as many people as possible. ”

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”

TOP TIPS IF YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT UNIVERSITY:

1. Think about why you might want to go to Uni

Get your head around why you want to go to university and what you’ll want to do with your degree and your experiences. The clearer you are about why you’re doing it, the easier it will be to find the right uni with the right course. Try sitting down alone or with a group of friends or your parents and make a list of the reasons you want to go to uni - not only will that be great motivation, but it will help loads when it comes to filling out application forms and getting in to the university you want to go to.

2. Find a course that suits you

Take some time to do the research - the most obvious courses aren’t always the one that you’ll be happiest doing and there’s a degree for practically every thing, from history and chemistry to acupuncture and zoology. A great place to look through some of the options is www.ucas.com. Find out about the way the course is taught - this can be really different depending on what course you’re looking at and what university it’s taught at.

Sometimes courses can have extra bits thrown in - some offer the chance to go on placement for part of the time, while others offer the opportunity to study abroad. I spent the third year of my degree studying abroad at a university in California and it really helped my understanding of my degree.

If you don’t make the right choice straight away, there’s normally a chance to change it once you’re at uni, but doing some homework and getting it right first time is far less stressful!

3. Don’t be afraid to go far - or stay close

There are universities all over the UK and you can choose to travel to the other side of the country to study if you like. If that’s the right choice for you, go for it! Don’t be scared. On the other hand, it might be that your nearest university is the right one for you. More and more students are studying locally and many even live at home while they study.

4. Think about university locations

Some universities are in the middle of big cities, while others are in the middle of nowhere. Some are spread out over a city centre, and others are campus-based (they sit on their own land and everything is very self contained). For some people, studying in central London is a dream come true, whereas for others it’s their worst nightmare. Weigh up what you want from your experience.

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5. Make Sure You Visit!

Many universities offer open days - a chance for you to check it out and have a general nose around. It’s always a good thing to check out where you want to study before you apply or accept an offer - you can get a real feel for a place. Check out university websites to find out more information and, if you can’t make an official open day, contact the university directly and you may be able to sort out your own personal tour. At the very least, look at University prospectuses and websites online.

6. Find out about a university’s Students’ Union

Students’ unions are often the heartbeat of student life, offering a range of opportunities and services, such as clubs and societies, volunteering, entertainments and advice. Check out student unions’ websites online - it will help give a flavour of what being a student at that university is like. You can find a directory of students’ unions on www.nus.org.uk.

7. Money, money money!

Student finance and fees can be tricky to navigate, but there are a whole load of loans and bursaries available to help you get through uni. Find out about what you would be entitled to by going to www.studentfinanceengland.co.uk.

8. A little can go a long way…

Learning to manage money is an important part of being a student. To prevent yourself getting into problems, make a budget before you go which shows how much you have to spend on different things. Avoid credit cards and remember that student loans/bursaries have to last the whole term! It’s worth checking out some of the great student accounts available at high street banks - they’ll also be able to give you advice about how to use your money intelligently.

9. Get some careers advice

Before you apply, pop along to your local careers adviser and have a chat about what you’re doing and where you want to go with it. It’s one of the things that I wish I could have done before applying to uni and is a really helpful way to give a bit of direction about the decisions you have to make.

10. Be brave!

University has been the best experience of my life so far. If you’re thinking about it, go for it!

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University has been the best experience of my life so far. If you’re thinking about it,

go for it!

FINANCE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

This is a brief introduction to student finance, it isn’t the last word. You will need the details on how this general information applies to your individual situation.

(N.B. These figures relate to universities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The situation in Scotland is slightly different.)

These figures are those for 2010/11 and are subject to change for 2011/12. Keep up-to-date by visitingwww.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance the Student Support website, or by calling the Helpline on 0845 300 5090. You will need the detail on how this general information applies to your individual situation. All figures are subject to review and change. There are two elements to higher education student finance. One is for the tuition fees you pay, the other concerns how you fund your living costs. This information is about the main types of financial help available to eligible students starting higher education courses in September 2010.

THE STANDARD SCHEME

Most full-time undergraduate higher education courses come under this heading and available help falls into twomain categories - Tuition Fees and Living Costs.

LOANS FOR TUITION FEES*

For the academic year 2010/11* there are tuition fee charges of up to £3,290 per year. The amount charged may vary between courses and universities/colleges. Each university/ college will publish its fee tariff in its prospectus or on its website.

You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees up to the maximum of £3,290. You won’t have to find the money before starting your course or while you are studying. Instead, you take out a loan for fees which is paid direct to your university or college. This loan is repayable after graduation in the same way as loans for maintenance.

If you attend a higher education course at a private university, college or dance or drama school you may becharged fees of more than £3,290 a year. But if the course is approved for student support (you need to check this with the Student Loan Company) you can still apply for a fee loan of up to £3,290.

GRANTS AND LOANS FOR LIVING COSTS*

Maintenance Grant

A Maintenance Grant of up to £2,906 a year is available to eligible students in the academic year starting 2010*.How much you get will depend on the household income – the income of your parents (including a step-parent or parent’s partner) as well as any taxable income that you receive, other than earnings, while you are studying.Here’s a rough guide to what you might expect if you are eligible for a grant.

These are approximate figures – please make sure you check for your own situation.

Household income Help availableAround £25,000 or less Full £2,906 grantBetween £25,001 Partial grant on aand £50,020 sliding scaleOver £50,020 No grant

*All figures assume 30 week year.

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These also help with your living costs. They attract a very low rate of interest – at inflation levels – meaning you only repay, in real terms, what you borrowed. The amount you can borrow depends on where you live and study, theamount of any maintenance grant you get and partly on the household income. The maximum amounts for 2010/11 are as below.

Study in London and live away from parents £6,928Study elsewhere and live away from parents £4,950Live with parents £3,838 Living and studying abroad (for at least 1 academic term) - £5895

If you get a maintenance grant, the maximum loan will be reduced by up to £1,450, because up to £1,450 of the maintenance grant is paid instead of part of the loan. If you do not get a maintenance grant and the householdincome is not more than £50,778, the maximum loan is available. At higher levels of income the maximum loan isreduced but the amount available will not be less than around 70% of the maximum rate.

REPAYING YOUR LOANSRepayments of student loans start in the April after you leave higher education and once your earnings exceed£15,000 a year. Most people will have their repayments (9% of their income above £15,000) deducted by theiremployer along with their tax and National Insurance.

OTHER GRANTS

Some students may be eligible for additional grants. If you are disabled or have dependent children ask your Personal Adviser for more information.

Student Loans For Maintenance*Check the websites and prospectuses of the individual universities and colleges to find out what financial help they will be offering for 2011/12. Look for details of scholarships and bursaries. If you are charged the maximum tuition fee of £3,290 and you get the full £2,906 maintenance grant, the university or college must provide you with non-repayable financial support of at least £329 a year. Many universities and colleges offer more than the minimum of £329 and also extend their help to those who are not entitled to the full maintenance grant.

If you get into serious financial difficulties while you are studying, extra help may also be available from the university/college Access to Learning Fund. These are funds made available by the college or university to help students who are in serious financial difficulties.

DISABLED STUDENTS ALLOWANCE

If you have a disability you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance to help with costs as a result of your disability. Details can be found on www.direct.gov.uk click disabled people; then education and learning. You’ll find disability support in Higher Education and support at college and university.

IMPORTANT

The above is only an introduction – you will need to know more! Further information is available from:

• www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance• Student Support line – 0845 300 5090

Textphone - 0800 328 8988* All figures assume a 30 week year

OTHER FINANCIAL HELP FROM UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES*

Remember: the above figures are only a guide. Check detail with Student Finance England. There’s also information on student finance and how and when to apply on the Directgov website. Keep up to date - the figures will change.

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Those undertaking part-time undergraduate studies can also access financial support. If you intend to study at the rate of at least 50% of an equivalent full-time course you may be eligible for a grant towards fees. Entitlement is dependent on the student’s income and that of any spouse or partner. More details and figures can be found on the directgov website.

For more information and up-to-date figures onNHS Bursaries look at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students or ring 0845 358 6655.

Means Tested Bursaries

This covers degrees in Nursing and Midwifery and accredited courses in Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Dental Hygiene/Therapy, Chiropody/Podiatry, Dietetics, Speech and Language Therapy, Prosthetics/Orthotics and Orthoptics.

There are three parts to a bursary:• your fees are paid in full by the Health Service so

you pay nothing• you can apply for a means-tested (on parents’

income) bursary to cover some of your living costs (currently a maximum of £2810 outside London for 30 week year). You will not have to pay this back.

• you are eligible to apply for a non means-tested student loan for maintenance, albeit at a lower level than the standard scheme.

Nursing And Operating Department Practitioner Diplomas

Students on these courses do not contribute to fees and they will receive a non-repayable maintenance bursary. Typically (as January 2010) this is £6,701 per year if you are studying outside London.

HEALTH SERVICE BURSARIES

SOCIAL WORK BURSARIES

Restricted to students on social work courses registered by the General Social Care Council (GSCC). There is a non-means tested bursary of £4,575 per year - outside London, £4975 - Inside London (2010 entry) and this does not effect the entitlement to a student loan. For more information ring the helpline on 0845 610 1122 or visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students

SPONSORSHIP

There are some courses that attract sponsorship support from firms or organisations. Look at individual companies’ and professional bodies’ websites for more information.

HE DANCE AND DRAMA AWARDS

Higher education courses in dance and drama at publicly funded universities and colleges are treated exactly like any other higher education course. However, if you wish to apply for courses at private dance and drama colleges you need to check the position.

Look at www.direct.gov.uk/danceanddrama for details of Dance and Drama Awards. Please note: these awards are limited, restricted to specific courses and competitive.

PART-TIME STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

AND MORE

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Managing your money is all about learning to balance your outgoings against your income so it is important to have a fairly good estimate of how much things will cost you. The National Union of Students calculates that, outside of London, living costs can be over £8,000 per year. This figure hides wide variations. It will depend on where you are studying, your responsibilities, circumstances and lifestyle.

Think about:• costs such as books, equipment, tuition fees,

accommodation, food, entertainment• sources of income – loans, bursaries, sponsorship,

scholarships, maintenance grant, casual/part-time work in term time and during holidays

• working out a rough budget plan.

FOR MORE INFORMATION LOOK AT:• www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance – the official

government website on student finance• www.nus.org.uk – the National Union of Students

provides a lot of information including useful tips on money and budgeting

• www.doughuk.com – the personal finance resource for young people

• www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney – good for general advice on finance

• www.scholarship-search.org.uk• www.support4learning.org.uk – Signposts to other

relevant organisations• www.talkaboutyou.org - information, advice and useful

links for 13-19 year olds.Student finance is probably the most contentious issue in higher education and myths abound. If you have worries about the cost of going to university then talk to your tutor or Connexions Personal Adviser.

MANAGING YOUR MONEY

YOU SHOULD NOW KNOW:• what higher education includes• how to choose the best course for you• when and how to apply• more about student life• how much it all costs

WHAT TO DO NOW:

• think about what you want out of higher education• spend the necessary time to do proper research• if you have any queries contact the relevant university

and ask questions• visit places that you might want to go to

SUMMARY

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NOT SURE WHETHER TO DO A DEGREE OR GO TO WORK

Name: Sean PartridgeCompany: KLM UKJob: Aero engineering

Like Sean Partridge, you might find the answer is a foundation degree. “A passion for model aircraft” led Sean to the real thing and, after a BTEC in Engineering, aircraft engineering was a straightforward choice.

BUT WHY THE FOUNDATION DEGREE?

“We went from college for a visit to Kingston University and I saw the course and the university for myself”, which leads to a tip from Sean –“If you get chance to visit a university to see a course you are interested in, go”.But there is more to a Foundation Degree than university.More than half of Sean’s time was spent at KLM UK Engineering at Norwich Airport. In conjunction with Kingston, KLM UK Engineering has been recognised as a European ‘Centre of Excellence in Aircraft EngineeringEducation and Training’.

IS MIXING WORK AND STUDY DIFFICULT?

“It’s not for the half hearted”, says Sean, who reckons on doing at least 40 hours study or work each week.But also knowing when to stop studying is important.“Aerodynamics can go on for ever. You have to trainyourself to recognise what is important and what youcan leave”, is his opinion.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BE ANAIRCRAFT ENGINEER?

“A good grasp of Maths, Physics and English is important. English is there because you must be able to communicate and deal with complex paperwork.Obviously you need to be able to work with your hands and you need to be very logical while still having the imagination to think your way round problems.”Sean now repairs and maintains civil aircraft withKLM UK Engineering, based at Norwich Airport, as a fully licensed aircraft engineer recognised by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

HAS AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING LIVED UPTO HIS EXPECTATIONS?

Very definitely: he loves the challenge, the responsibility, being an important member of a closely knit team and the knowledge that it is his work that keeps the flying public safe. Knowing that you never stop learning and that each job has its own challenges is what makes Sean sure that he made the right choice. There are Foundation Degrees in a whole lot of other subjects. For example there’s another world beater inNorfolk as Norwich City College, UEA and the local financial services have developed an Academy forFinancial Services which, among many other courses, offers Foundation Degrees in Finance. For more information on KLM UK Engineering look atwww.klmukengineering.com and to contact theFinancial Skills Academy at City College Norwich visitwww.ccn.ac.uk/businessandfinance or ring 01603 773510.

STARTING WORK?

Don’t want to go to university? Want to look for a job straight from sixth form or college? This is a positive choice and isn’t automatically second best to going to university, particularly when you do training alongside work.

Local employment can be unpredictable, with the type and number of vacancies dictated by the economic cycle and companies’ needs. However, your choice can besummarised as:

• A job with training and part-time study for a professional or technical qualification

• An Advanced Apprenticeship leading to NVQ 3 or better

• An Apprenticeship leading to NVQ 2• A job with sophisticated on-the-job training• A job with little or no training

If possible, go for a job where you will get some training and a job qualification. It pays in the long run.

NOT SURE WHAT TO DO?Your Connexions Personal Adviser can help you decide and help you find job vacancies.

If you want to work locally then check what is available in your area. A quarter of those doing A Levels in Norfolk go straightinto work when they finish their course. They go into everything from accountancy to yacht broking. Many go into finance, some into hospitality and catering, reception, retail and surveying amongst others. The County Council describes Norfolk as being a ‘diverse economy’ including ‘business in agriculture, food processing, boat building, business and financial services, creative industries, energy, health and life sciences, engineering and electronics, information technologies and tourism.’

One very important fact is that 90% of the companies inNorfolk employ less than 25 people. More workers inNorfolk are employed by small companies, 37% as against a national average of 34%. It is harder identifying and applying to lots of small companies than to four or five big ones. However 25% of jobs in the county are provided by the relatively few large organisations that employ 200 or more people. The Norfolk economy isn’t dominated by one particular industry, although Norwich is different to the rest of the county because it has a very large ‘service sector’.

Norwich is in the top 10 shopping centres in the country and is a major financial centre with over a quarter of the workforce employed in things like insurance, banking and other financial services. It has more professionally qualified bankers and insurance executives than any other UK city outside London.

Don’t forget that you are not restricted to Norfolk. Some companies recruit nationally, for example some of the big retail chains, the Air Traffic Services and the Armed Forces. There isn’t one source of information on these – look at organisations’ individual websites.

JOBS IN NORFOLKWANT TO WORK?

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Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to learn, work and earn.

Apprentices learn on the job, building up skills andknowledge, gaining qualifications and earning money all at the same time. As an Apprentice, you are employed and work towards a career in a local company.

Across the country Apprenticeships are available in over 200 frameworks across thousands of different companies. While you are working in a company, you will experience exactly what it is like to work in your chosen career. You will find out about the sector and what areas of the job you enjoy – or are not so keen on. You will be employed and vital to the future success of the company.

You will be supported through your training and study towards a nationally recognised qualification and technical certificate. Whilst at work, Apprentices learn how the business really works and what it is like to be in employment. Apprenticeships usually between 1 and 4 years, depending on how quickly you progress and the level of framework chosen. For more information look at www.apprenticeship.org.uk or ring the Apprenticeship helpline on 08000 150 600.

There are two main levels of Apprenticeship. Advanced Apprenticeships train you to level 3 standard while Apprenticeships give you a level 2 qualifications. Both Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships help you gain valuable skills which will support any future applications for work or learning opportunities. Key Functional skills are used in most jobs and include areas like English, Maths and ICT using figures, team work and personal development.

APPRENTICESHIPS

APPRENTICESHIPS

Status: Planned to meet both your requirements and those of your employer.Qualification: Up to level 2 with additional Functional Skills and an associated ‘technical certificate’.Period of training: There is no set time limit butApprenticeships are usually completed within one to four years.Application: Selection tests and interviews are likely to be required.Career progression from Apprenticeships: You can progress from an Apprenticeship to an Advanced Apprenticeship.

ADVANCED APPRENTICESHIPSStatus: For young people who are aiming for management level employment. Planned to meet both your requirements and those of your employer. Qualification: Up to NVQ level 3 with additionalFunctional Skills and an associated ‘technical certificate’.Period of training: Up to four years.Application: Selection tests and interviews are likely to be required.Progression: You can continue learning and training in your chosen career by taking further professional qualifications or by using your Advanced Apprenticeship to gain entry to a Degree, Foundation Degree or Higher Apprenticeship.TRAINING PROVIDERSOrganisations called training providers play a key role in the Apprenticeship system. Training providers can be colleges, well-known businesses, or specialists in particular type of work. Some large companies have well developed training programmes and are training providers in their own right.

THE APPRENTICESHIP VACANCY MATCHING SERVICE - there is a new way to find and apply for apprenticeship vacancies. Find it by visiting www.apprenticeships.org.uk and clicking vacancies.

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CARING FOR ANIMALS (AND PEOPLE) WITHDANIELLE WILLIAMSName: Danielle WilliamsCompany: Westover Veterinary Centre, North WalshamJob: Veterinary NursePrevious Course: BTEC National Diploma in Animal Management at Easton CollegeCurrent Training: Advanced Apprenticeship in Veterinary Nursing (NVQ Level 3)

Work experience at a vet’s in Year 10 confirmed Danielle’s choice of career - then began the long process of turning ambition into reality. After GCSEs came the BTEC in Animal Management at Easton College, a 2 year course with a broad first year and a range of specialisations in the second. This gave Danielle lots of useful knowledge and experience to add to her CV, putting her in a strong position when it came time to start applying for jobs.

Getting an apprenticeship as a Veterinary Nurse is, to say the least, competitive. Six months before she left college Danielle began contacting practices – every single one she could find in Yellow Pages. From all her letters she got one interview: fortunately for her, one was enough. What did she think was the most important thing that her employer was looking for? “Obviously they wanted someone committed to the job but also keen to keep on learning”, was her opinion.

Her apprenticeship involves learning by doing the job at the practice, spending one day a week at Easton College and further time at home working on her portfolio (a way of gathering evidence to prove that she has the experience and knowledge required for her NVQ). Danielle estimates that she’ll spend up to an extra hour a day working on her portfolio. “It’s hard” says Danielle. “When I first started work I came home exhausted – but you quickly get used to it.”

What does a Veterinary Nurse actually do? “Typically you’ll prepare animals for operations, assist with the operation, monitoring the patient’s recovery and cleaning up. I never dreamt how much cleaning there was but it is absolutely vital – there are no short cuts where hygiene is concerned. There is also a lot of work in educating owners in how to care for their animals after treatment. You must be able to put across complicated information in ways that people can understand. People can get very anxious or even agitated when their pets are suffering and being able to empathise with them is an important part of the job.”

Several of Danielle’s friends have gone on to university – does she feel she’s missing out? “Maybe a bit on the social side of things, but not really, I’ve got a job I love, I’m better off financially and I’m still learning.”

And the future? “Eventually moving into a Referral Centre doing more specialist and complicated work” will do nicely.

For more information on Veterinary Nursing visit www.rcvs.org.uk and www.easton-college.ac.uk

APPLICATION FORMS

Most companies ask you to complete an application form.Every applicant will complete the same form so make sure yours is as good as it can be.

Before you fill in the form• 10 minutes preparation can save you hours later• Read any instructions• Look at what information goes where on the form• Look at the job advert or details to see what the

employer wants• If possible, make a copy of the form and use it to do a

rough first version. Make your mistakes on that

TRY SPECULATIVE APPLICATIONS

Some companies don’t advertise their vacancies; they wait for you to approach them. Look around to see which companies might have the sort of job you want. Get their addresses from Connexions, the internet, Yellow Pages or other directories. Try to get a name of the best person to write to in each company – this makes your letter more personal and gives you a name to contact in future. Write a short letter and send it to the company with your CV. Follow up with a phone call in a few weeks if you’ve heard nothing back.

LOOKING FOR A JOB?

Where to look, who to ask

In your sixth form or college – check if there’s a notice board where vacancies are displayed. Connexions Norfolk – ask your Personal Adviser, visit your local Connexions Centre or register on helpyouchoose.org to receive details of job vacancies by text or email.

Look online – many companies put job vacancies on their site and some let you apply online. There are also general job finding sites such as Monster, EDP 24, Just Jobs Norfolk, Fish4Jobs and Jobs Today. Job Centre Plus – look at jobcentreplus.gov.uk Newspapers – look at the EDP on a Thursday. Local weekly newspapers often have two or three pages of job ads.

Private employment agencies – check Yellow Pages for details.

Friends and family – lots of jobs, especially part-time, get filled by word of mouth. Ask around.

Advertised vacancies – these can appear in the national and local press but also in specialist magazines, websites and journals. Ask at your local library or Connexions Centre to find out which magazines or websites may carry relevant vacancies.Don’t limit yourself to just reading the adverts. If you see that a company is expanding or has just won a contract put them on your list for speculative letters.

APPLYING FOR JOBS

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Completing the formUse black ink.

• Write neatly in the space provided• Try not to cross things out or alter them• Make sure your spelling is correct• Look again to see what skills the employer wants

Do you measure up?• Check with any referees before the closing date

ONLINE FORMSSome employers ask you to apply online. The same rules apply – read the instructions first; take your time; check anything before saving and sending it; make sure what you say reflects what the job involves and what the employer wants.

APPLYING BY LETTERYou might be asked to send a covering letter to go witha form or CV.

• Keep it short and simple• Include your name, address and other contact details• Say why you are writing• Write neatly. Spell correctly• Write on plain white paper, not something ripped out

of an old exercise book or file

A CV is just one or two nicely set out pages to tell an employer about you and what you can do. You put in the sort of information that goes on an application form but, because you do it yourself, you only include what you want and there are no embarrassing empty spaces. It needs to be easy to read, so keep it simple.

The basics• Get together all the information you’ll need – exam

results, dates or work experience, details of jobs etc• Use a computer to produce your CV, don’t handwrite• Use a simple font like Arial or Times New Roman, 12

or 10 point• Keep the CV short – two sides of A4 maximum, one

side if possible• Check it for spelling and accuracy• Make sure the content of your CV is appropriate for

the job you are applying forInclude

• Your name, address, postcode and phone number• Most people give their date of birth (but you don’t

have to)• A couple of sentences about yourself and what you

can offer• Where you went to school or college, what courses

you took and what qualifications you got• Details of your current course and what qualifications

you hope to get• Work history: don’t forget part-time jobs and work

experience, particularly if it includes experience relevant to the job you are applying for

• Describe any other skills or interests you have, especially if they are useful in the job

• Give the names and addresses of two people who will give you a reference. Ask them first

PREPARING A CV

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Finding a Job leaflets - available from your local Connexions Centre

APPLYING BY TELEPHONE

You may have to phone up about a job or to arrange an interview.

• If you are using a mobile, make sure that it is charged, topped up and that you have a good signal

• If you are using a payphone make sure you have enough change for the call

• Know who to talk to – have a name or job title• Have a copy of any advert or letter in case you need

to look at it• Have a pen and paper to make notes.

When you make the call• Speak clearly, sound business-like – it’s a business call.

(Some people say it helps if you stand up when you are making the call.)

• Introduce yourself• Explain why you are ringing and who you want to

talk to• Know when you are available for an interview and

sound organised• Write down the date and time of the interview and

who you are to see. Read it back to check it’s right• Thank the person you are talking to. Always be polite

Some companies might give you a quick mini interview over the phone before deciding to ask you in for an interview. Be prepared to answer some questions about yourself, your qualifications and your experience.

• Make sure everything is quiet• Relax. Be natural • Listen to what the interviewer is saying• Ask if you are not sure what a question means

If a company is impressed by your application form, letter or phone call, they will ask you for an interview.Before the interview

• Plan your journey• Find out about the job and the company• Look at the job advert or description again• Look at what you put in your application form or CV• Look at your Record of Achievement to see if there

is anything you want to take to the interview. Select things that show your strengths

• Think about why you want the job and why you are the best person for it

• Think about what you want to wear• Tell someone where you are going and when you’ll

be backAt the interview

• You will be nervous. That’s normal• Be polite to everyone, not just the interviewer• Make sure your mobile is off• Don’t chew. Don’t smoke• Smile when you go in. Say “Good morning/afternoon”• Offer to shake hands and wait to be asked to sit• Sit straight but relaxed. Offer the interviewer normal

eye contact.• Listen to the questions. Ask if you aren’t sure what

anything means.• Give full answers, not just ‘Yes’ or ‘No’• Don’t lose the plot if you make a mistake. Forget it

and move on.• Above all, sound positive. Don’t whinge about your

school, college or previous employer.• At the end thank the interviewer and shake hands

GOING FOR AN INTERVIEW

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QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Think about how you might answer these questions. YourConnexions Personal Adviser can help.

• Why do you want to work here?• Why should I employ you?• What do you know about the company?• Why do you think you would be good at the job?• Tell me about yourself. What are your strengths and

weaknesses?• Tell me about something you have done that you are

proud of

QUESTIONS YOU MAY WANT TO ASK• What training can I expect?• What will I be paid?• How many people will I be working with?• How long will it be before I know the result of the

interview?

YOUR LAST MINUTE CHECKLISTThings you may need to take to an interview. Have you got them?

• The letter or appointment card• The name of the person you are going to see and

their telephone number (in case you get delayed)• Your mobile phone• Directions or a map• Money for bus fares, food etc• A pen and a notebook• Exam certificates and any other qualifications you

have (e.g. driving license)• Record of Achievement• Anything else you’ve been asked to take (e.g. passport,

birth certificate, NI number)

FINDING WORK WITH helpyouchoose.orgFind the job you want by using help you choose

Employers tell the Employer Engagement Team at Connexions Norfolk about their vacancies.Information about these is uploaded onto help you choose so you can see what jobs there are.Visit helpyouchoose.org to begin your search for work.

Finance is one of the biggest industries in Norfolk so it is no surprise that many students consider one of the financial professions after completing their A levels. Joseph O’Keefe is a trainee accountant with PKF, one of the country’s top-ten firms of accountants and business advisers, and studying part time for professional qualifications from the Association of Accounting Technicians. In the longer term he hopes to become a Chartered Accountant which, if everything goes to plan, he could achieve by his mid twenties.

Originally Joseph intended to go to university and only considered the alternatives during his first year of A Level. ‘Keep your mind open’ he says. ‘Be prepared to look at alternatives even if you have a definite idea already – there may be something out there that you have missed.’

Does he regret not going to university? ‘Not really. Friends who are there are having a good time, the social side sounds great, but then there are advantages in the way I’m doing things.’ And those advantages are? ‘To begin with, I’m getting paid and there will be no student debt to worry about in three years time. But the big advantage is that I am getting practical experience in my chosen profession from day one and I could get a full professional qualification in 5 years – a graduate isn’t going to do that any quicker.’

Studying for professional qualifications isn’t a soft option, involving courses at college and independent study at home. ‘You have to be committed but it isn’t too bad’ says Joseph, ‘I spend less time studying at home than I did during A level and learning is easier because what I am doing at work reinforces what I learn at college. My course is designed to reflect what I am doing at work. It’s not an abstract exercise and because of that I can see the point of what I am doing and how it adds to my job.’

Is working different from doing A Levels? ‘The biggest difference is the pressure. At A Level I had work to do by a deadline but I could do it when I wanted and, as long as I met the deadline, take as long as I wanted. Because clients are charged for my time, I have to complete the work when they want it and within the budgeted amount of time. One thing I really enjoy about working is the number of people you meet: they are all different and you can learn new things from them all.’

Has Joseph any advice for a student who may be looking for a job after A levels or a similar course? ‘Do your research, explore every possibility. I wrote to many accountancy firms, spoke to people who were doing similar jobs, went for interviews, and eventually things worked out. Work out what is best for you and go for it – keep your options open, but make things happen, don’t wait for things to happen’.

For more information about PKF visit www.pkf.co.uk

MAKING SURE IT ADDS UP!JOSEPH O’KEEFE

Here are some things that might have been better not said or left undone. Don’t follow their example.

DON’T DO THIS

Young man, anxious to impress, decided to cycle to the employer’s premises and deliver his application form by hand. On arrival he nonchalantly leapt off his bike and dropped it against a wall. Unfortunately he missed the wall and nearly destroyed their showroom window.

“The finishing touch to her elegant business suit was to borrow her father’s expensive briefcase. In it she put copies of her CV and various papers she might want to refer to. Part way through the interview an opportunity to impress arose and she confidently reached for the briefcase – which had a combination lock and her father hadn’t told her the code.”

When offered the chance to ask questions at the end of an interview, he asked only one question:“Do you test your employees for drugs and, if so, on which days?”

Choose your referees with care. Don’t ask for a reference from anyone who is likely to write things such as: “Everyone in life has their cross to bear.This man was mine.” Or, “If he were any more stupid, he’d have to be watered twice a week.” Or, even worse, “The wheel is turning but the hamster is dead.”

In the middle of a phone interview the interviewee flushed the toilet.

The only comment one person put in a supporting statement was, “Once when I was asked to complete some urgent work, I cancelled my appointments at the hairdresser and manicurist and stayed to do the work.”Greater dedication is hard to imagine.

Thanks to the Guru at Personnel Today and careerbuilder.com for some of the quotes shown.

When asked to describe himself in one word, the candidate replied ‘volatile’.

When filling in Personal Achievements try to do better than “I learnt to play Chopsticks on a toy piano with my toes.”

Someone was asked to explain “how you got where you are today”, meaning, please give us an overview of your career development. The interviewee “started rambling on about his train journey”

One candidate listed his hobbies as “trees and playing with my hamster”

When an interviewer asked a candidate why he wanted to work for the company, he replied, “Because I fancy the girl who works in reception”

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SUMMARYYOU SHOULD KNOW:

• What jobs might be available in Norfolk• About apprenticeships and how to apply• How to apply for other jobs• How to handle an interview • Mistakes to avoid.

WHAT TO DO NOW:

• Think about what you want to do• Think about a second choice just in case you don’t get

your first• Contact companies for information about what

they offer• Begin to put your CV together

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FANCY STAYING A LITTLE CLOSER TO HOME?

STUDYING LOCALLY?

LEVELS

Courses can be divided into levels, running from1 through to 8. You can study at all levels at a University or College in Norfolk.

Level Examples of courses. 1 BTEC Introductory Diplomas, GCSEs grades D to G, NVQ 1 2 GCSEs A to C, BTEC First Diplomas, NVQ 2 3 A/AS Levels, Vocational A Levels, BTEC National Diplomas, NVQ 3 4 Certificates of Higher Education 5 HNDs, Foundation Degrees, Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHEs) 6 Degrees 7 Masters 8 Doctorates

LOOKING FOR COURSES LOCALLY

To find out more about further and higher education inNorfolk use:

• Connexions Norfolk’s website helpyouchoose.org• HE for Norfolk – a booklet from Aimhigher that

lists all the higher education courses in Norfolk and Suffolk – see page 40+41.

STUDYING IN NORFOLK (& SUFFOLK) FINDING COURSES WITH helpyouchoose.orgYou can use helpyouchoose.org to find courses in sixth forms and colleges in Norfolk.

Click: 6th Form Colleges and Training for more information on courses available in Norfolk. Click: Higher Education for details of qualifications and locations around Norfolk.

Remember: Applications for higher education are through UCAS, not helpyouchoose.

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FAMILY AND FRIENDSHome...If your friends aren’t going away to study, it can seem important not to leave them. Some people also feel they don’t want to move away from their families. And if you’ve already got a part-time job and can carry it on by studying locally, the change between school and higher study won’t seem so great a step.

Away...For many people, the chance to make new friends from a wide variety of backgrounds and have a more independent lifestyle is one of the most exciting things about going away to study. You might find you miss out a bit on this if you are travelling to and from college or uni every day.

Home...

“I know my surroundings round here. It’s my environment, isn’t it? My friends are here and the Business course I want to do is offered at City College. That’s why I want to stay. I don’t think it will be a problem getting a bus into the city every day, it will be worth it to get the qualification I want.”Emily, Sixth Form student, Wymondham Away...

“I went to Leeds Uni, lived on campus and loved it. It was by far the best three years of my life so far. I do have quite a big loan to pay off eventually, but see it as an investment for my future really, and it’s nothing compared to a mortgage on a house! I would encourage anyone who is not too scared of the debts to go away and have fun – you won’t regret it.”Chris, Hethersett (graduated 2006)

HOME OR AWAY?

Thinking about doing a degree or other higher education qualification? Good for you – it’s an excellent way to boost your career and salary prospects, open your horizons and have fun, too!

Leaving sixth form and moving on to a degree has traditionally meant leaving home at the same time, and for lots of people that will still be top choice. But a recent survey shows that a fifth of students are choosing instead to live with their parents while they study. Here Liz French from Aimhigher Norfolk looks at the main issues to consider when deciding whether that could be the right choice for you. Do you go home or away?

MONEYHome...If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t like the idea of student loans and leaving college with debts, studying close to home can be appealing. A poll of 2,200 students, undertaken recently by catering firm Sodexho, found 80% of those living at home and studying paid no rent and many had jobs. Choosing a university or college close to home is certainly one way of cutting down your living expenses.

Away...Don’t forget that if you DO get a loan you won’t have to start paying it back until you are earning at least £15,000 a year, and there may be other financial help available including bursaries which you don’t have to pay back.

HE IN NORFOLK

STUDENTS SAY...

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SO...STAYING OR GOING?

It really comes down to your own personal choice and priorities. Whichever you decide, though, it’s very important to choose a course that’s right for you and that you’ll enjoy, so that you stay motivated. Do weigh up all your options carefully – and don’t settle for something JUST because it is close to home.

WHERE TO STUDY HIGHER EDUCATION IN NORFOLKIf you do decide that studying locally is for you,here’s where to look for the right course...

City College Norwich01603 773773 www.ccn.ac.uk

College of West Anglia01553 761144 www.col-westanglia.ac.uk

Easton College01603 731232 www.easton.ac.uk

Norwich University College of the Arts01603 610561 www.nuca.ac.uk

UCS Great Yarmouth01493 655261 www.gyc.ac.uk & www.ucs.ac.uk

University of East Anglia01603 456161 www.uea.ac.uk

The new edition of HE for Norfolk magazine.It’s packed with useful information on what’s available around the county and how to find out more about any courses or topics that interest you. The magazine also focuses on the key issues you’ll need to explore when deciding if HE is right for you, such as how to finance your course.Pick up your copy – available in schools and colleges or from Connexions or Aimhigher Norfolk.

YOU SHOULD NOW KNOW:

• how to find courses using help you choose• who offers higher education in Norfolk.

WHAT TO DO NOW:

• begin researching courses• if there is a course that interests you try and get to

look at it in person

Higher education

Top reasons to do it

Mature students

The issues you should

considerCounting the cost

Bursaries, loans and grants

explainedWhat employers want

Can an HE qualification boost

your career prospects?

Foundation degrees

The right skills for business

Includes unique subject charts

At-a-glance listings from all your local HE providers

THINKING ABOUT... ADDING TO YOUR APPLICATION?

THERE ARE MANY THINGS YOU CAN DO

TO SHOW YOUR SKILLS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL. YOU COULD VOLUNTEER, JOIN A TEAM OR GROUP AND

SO MUCH MORE...

THINKING ABOUT... ADDING TO YOUR APPLICATION?

Whether you are hoping to start work or go to university, the following might improve your chance of getting the job or course you want.

WHAT YOU CAN DO• Do voluntary work.• Do work experience or work shadowing. Ask

your school or college to see what you need to do to arrange work experience or work shadowing. For some jobs and courses, some form of work experience is a must. Think about doing this before you get into the second year of your current course.

• Do part-time work. Every job, no matter how simple it seems to you, makes demands on you and adds to your experience – don’t undervalue what you do!

• Take a gap year or year out after your current course finishes.

• Remember to keep a note of what you do and the skills you use – when you make your applications use it as evidence to prove you have what it takes.

VINSPIREDThe volunteering site for 16-25 year olds in England.www.vinspired.com

VOLUNTEERING AND MAKING GOOD USE OF YOUR GAP YEAR

Volunteering is win-win. You contribute time and effort and in return you get valuable experience, greater self confidence, learn new skills, have fun and meet new people.

To find out more, look at the national volunteering website, www.do-it.org.uk, or www.vinspired.com or contact one of these organisations. VOLUNTARY NORFOLKKnow about voluntary projects in your area – visit their website at www.voluntarynorfolk.org.ukor ring on 01603 614474

WEST NORFOLK COUNCIL FORVOLUNTARY SERVICESAsk them about volunteering in King’s Lynn and WestNorfolk. Phone on 01553 760568 or look atwww.westnorfolkvca.org

NORFOLK COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY YOUTH SERVICES (NCVYS)A wide range of opportunities for volunteering.Call 01603 423995 or visitwww.norfolkcvys.org.uk

DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARDTake the challenge, help others and get the D of E award which is valued by employers and universities. You can do D of E at your local youth club or in school or college.To find out more ask at school or college or ring Caroline or Joanna on 01603 744888 or email oncaroline.pearson@norfolk.gov.uk

CHILDREN’S SERVICES YOUTH PANELWant to get involved and have your say? Call the Active Citizenship Team, Norfolk Children’s Services on 01603 485999 and speak with Robin Konieczny.

VOLUNTEER NOW

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DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARDSince it began in 1956, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has been dedicated to the personal development of young people from all backgrounds.www.dofe.org

A YEAR OUT

You may want to think about taking a ‘gap year’ between your sixth form/college studies and starting higher education or work. People take a year out for a whole variety of reasons: a break from education; to make time to consider further options; to travel; to learn a new language; to increase confidence and independence; to broaden their skills and experiences. Increasingly, people are looking to earn money to help support them when they get to university.

A year out isn’t a soft option. It demands as much, if not more, thought than any other option. You still have to make a positive decision, make applications and, maybe, raise money to go on certain schemes. If you are thinking about applying for university in 2010to start in 2012, you need to be thinking about youruniversity application and planning your gap year at the same time – ideally in the Summer Term this year.

ADVANTAGES

• Can earn money to support future studies• One-off opportunity to do something totally different• Develop skills (e.g. IT skills or a foreign language)• Gain work experience related to future employment

or course• Take a break from academic study in order to sort

out priorities and come back refreshed• Travel more extensively than is normally possible• Begin living away from home, develop confidence and

maturity• Give something back to the community• Good for your CV

DISADVANTAGES

• If the year is not well planned it will produce little benefit.

• A very few university departments do not encourage students to take a year out – always check before you finally decide

• You can lose motivation for academic work and your year out just drifts on into nothing

• You have to pay to join some schemes. Check the details carefully because the year may cost more than you earn

• A year out takes a year away from future earning potential

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF TAKING A GAP YEAR

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FINDING OUT ABOUT A GAP YEAR

BOOKSYour school or college is likely to have one or more of these books and maybe some others..

• A Year Off…. A Year On (Lifetime Careers Publishing).• Your Gap Year (Vacation Work)• The Gap Year Guidebook (Gap-Year.Com).

WEBSITESThere are hundreds of websites on individual gap year projects. The following are just a few but they include links to other gap year sites.

• www.bunac.org (Bunac)• www.csv.org.uk (Community Service Volunteers)• www.lattitude.org.uk (Lattitude Global Volunteering)• www.gapyeardirectory.co.uk (Gap Year Directory)• www.gap-year.com (Gap-Year.com)• www.gapwork.com (Gap Work)• www.yini.org.uk (Year in Industry)• www.yearoutgroup.org (Year Out Group)

• Decide what you want to get out of a gap year. There should be a purpose to it

• Think how this can be best achieved. Are you going for one, year long, placement or are you going to do two or three things to make your own customised scheme?

• If you are hoping to go to university after your gap year, check the course is happy about it. Most are.

• Research the possibilities• Is there a cost? Work it out and see if you can afford

it Check when you need to apply. • If you are applying in 2010 for entry to university in

2012 (Deferred Entry), you also need to be thinking about your university applications.

PLANNING YOUR GAP YEAR

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46

Isobel volunteered at a school near Forfar in Scotland through Community Service Volunteers. Here’s what she did.

"I wasn't sure what I wanted to study at University or even if I wanted to go at all and the course I had been looking into, Youth and Community Work, recommended I get some work experience. So I found CSV on the internet and sent off an application then and there. I was so excited. I had gone from having no idea what to do for the next year to having a work placement in an ideal area for the next seven months.

My placement was in Scotland, suitably far away from home and I was going to be working at a High School in Brechin. I told my supervisor what I wanted to do and she made it possible. I was doing sport, music, even accompanying some students to lessons to make sure they were managing and not misbehaving. The highlight of my placement was working with a qualified Youth Worker. I was helping her run group activities and came up with new ideas and session plans for future groups of young people with varying degrees of problems and behavioural issues. It was a great education for me in exactly the area I was interested in and it made me even more determined to study Youth and Community Work at University. I have since been offered a place and I have no doubt that my time as a volunteer helped my application! When my placement came to an end I was sad to be leaving. I had had such a good time at school and out of school. I was made to feel very welcome and once I was fully into the swing of things I actually felt that what I was doing was useful. It was the best way I could have spent that seven months. Making new friends, getting experience in the area I wanted to go into and most importantly knowing that I have made a difference."

For information on CSV visit www.csv.org.uk

THE RIGHT EXPERIENCE WITH ISOBEL DRAGONETTI

The Year in Industry (YINI) is the UK's leading student placement experts, provide high-quality, paid placements for students in their gap year. Here are two people who been through the YINI experience. For more information on YINI visit www.yini.org.uk

A YEAR IN INDUSTRY WITH...

Johnathan PatricksonWorked with: Darchem Engineering - a division of Esterline Course: Studying Product Design Technology at Northumbria University

CASE STUDYJonathan was set the task by Darchem to reverse engineer the units of Gas Turbine Transport Containers. To do this Jonathan worked closely with manufacturing engineers and design and production teams to dimensionally re-model the units into Darchem’s software package ‘inventor’. The currents units are prone to damage and weather as they were largely fabricated from wood. Within a tight timescale, Jonathan successfully reverse engineered the gas turbine carrier and re-designed a lighter more durable model ready for manufacture.

“Jonathan has fitted seamlessly into our Project office and is always enthusiastic and skilled in his design work. He will make an excellent engineer and I am sure Darchem will be seeking his services in full time employment following the completion of his degree.”Stuart HowsonProjects Team Manager - Turbine Structures.

THE RIGHT EXPERIENCE WITH ISOBEL DRAGONETTI

JONATHAN PATRICKSON

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SOPHIE JONES

SUMMARY

YOU SHOULD NOW KNOW:• the advantages and disadvantages of a gap year• what two people felt about their gap years• how to find out more using books

and websites

WHAT TO DO NOW:• if you are thinking of taking a gap year do the• necessary research• check any course you might apply for in 2012 is

happy with the idea of a gap year

Sophie JonesWorked with: Exception EMS ltdCourse: Study Innovative Manufacturing at Loughborough University

CASE STUDYSophie was tasked with improving productivity in one area of Exception EMS by implementing lean manufacturing tools and techniques. Sophie introduced the new Rotork Kanban Cell and extended the Banban principles into the supply chain for Exception EMS. Sophie also worked with external suppliers to extend the project benefits to not only reduce WIP (Work In Progress) and inventory on the line but also to reduce Raw Material inventory and decrease lead times on the expensive raw materials. “The Year in Industry scheme is excellent. In the case of Sophie, she demonstrated the remarkable enthusiasm, commitment and a thirst for knowledge that led to significant tangible results she achieved for the company”Mark DaviesOperations Director at Exception EMS.

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If you need this book in large print, audio, alternative format

or different language, please contact Connexions Norfolk on 01603 215330 and we will

do our best to help.

Other Publications from Connexions Norfolk:

Parents E-Bulletin ChoicesYear 9 newsletterYear 11 newsletterFYI (For Your Information) Websites

• www.helpyouchoose.org • www.talkaboutyou.org• www.aimhighernorfolk.org• www.direct.gov.uk• www.dscf.gov.uk/parentknowhow• www.gotateenager.org.uk• www.apprenticeships.org.uk/parents

CONNEXIONS IN NORFOLK CONTACT DETAILS:

Connexions Centre, Breckland Business Centre,St. Withburga Lane, Dereham, NR19 1FDTel: 01362 694939Email: dercc@connexions-norfolk.co.uk

Connexions Centre, 4 Church Plain,Great Yarmouth, NR30 1PLTel: 01493 845400Email: gycc@connexions-norfolk.co.uk

Connexions Centre, 5-9 Chapel Street,King’s Lynn, PE30 1EGTel: 01553 666500Email: klcc@connexions-norfolk.co.uk

Connexions Centre, 1a St. Nicholas Court,North Walsham, NR28 9BYTel: 01692 408200Email: nwcc@connexions-norfolk.co.uk

Connexions @ OPEN (Norwich), 20 Bank Plain,Norwich, NR2 4SFTel: 01603 215300Email: norcc@connexions-norfolk.co.uk

Connexions Centre, Youth Venue,Raymond Street, Thetford, IP24 2EATel: 01842 855800Email: thetcc@connexions-norfolk.co.uk

OR CALL CONNEXIONS DIRECT.

This is a confidential telephone advice service which isopen seven days a week from 8.00 in the morning rightthrough to 2.00 the next morning.

Call for free on 080 800 13 2 19,text on 07766 413219,or look at their website www.connexions-direct.com

talk about you