Meet Marina Del-Gaudio , a Careers Adviser for Get Career Confident
Tell us about your role
I work within a school team to provide one-to-one career sessions with Year 10 and 11 learners. These last about 30 minute and relate to post 16 pathways. I see my role as impartial, to enable a learner to talk freely about their thoughts for the future. Providing details and information is part of that role but most importantly, my role is to listen. The aim of the sessions is to motivate learners to think about their future and to believe they have a positive future ahead of them.
This month we’re focusing on education transition. What do you think the biggest changes are between Year 11 and FE / 6th form?
Responsibility on the learner to manage their time and workload. Even though there are less subjects post 16 there is a lot of work. I try to get learners to also think about keeping their options open. Not to get too bogged down by what you’re doing post 16 but to use learning to increase your skills and understanding of what you like. There is the idea that specific subjects lead to specific jobs and while that can be true of some jobs, you can use education as a toolkit which can support you for your whole life, not just for study.
What can students do to prepare for the transition to Year 12?
To find out as much about the course/s you’ll be studying as soon as possible. Attend any taster days or sessions available before the course starts. These are usually after GCSEs and will be a chance to prepare for Year 12. Also, it’s an opportunity for learners to begin to self-reflect as they finish their GCSES. To understand and think about what they enjoy and why. When starting to think about work, I always encourage learners to think about everything they do in their lives which may demonstrate their skills.
Thinking about things outside of school and college. I want to support learners to start thinking about themselves as someone who has something to offer. I would also encourage learners to embrace opportunities that are presented to them by teachers and other school staff such as careers advisers. I have found that there are so many opportunities we can pass onto students which could help them stand out in a crowded space when looking for their first job or applying for Universities.
What can teachers do to support their students for the transition?
Affirming the positives that each learner has. Reiterating that nothing is set in concrete, opening learners minds up to the fact they are gaining skills the whole time and they are transferable across a range of industries. Starting to give learners a bit more responsibility about their workloads as they prepare for post 16 study.
How can schools support their careers adviser?
Encourage learners to attend their careers' sessions. Encourage them to think about their skills and interests from a young age, not just subject related but the bigger picture of who they are as a person. Invite your careers advisers to speak at INSET days or any event for staff. Remember to add in your careers adviser, so they are included.
How can schools engage with parents / carers to support transition post 16?
Find opportunities to include the careers advisers at any parent / carer events that are already running, it doesn’t have to be a different event. For example, invite your careers adviser to have a stand at your open evenings, enrollment sessions, parent workshops, any events you have throughout the year that parents and carers will attend. Publicise and promote that there will be a careers adviser present. The same can be done in newsletters, parent information and on the school website.
Where can learners and staff find out more information?
Speak to the careers adviser in their school. Some useful websites I use which can be used by teachers, learners and parents and carers are:
Amazing Apprenticeships - https://amazingapprenticeships.com
Career Pilot - https://www.careerpilot.org.uk
Get Career Confident - https://www.getcareerconfident.co.uk
Informed choices - https://www.findapprenticeships.co.uk
Prospects - https://www.prospects.ac.uk
Springpod - https://www.springpod.com
Success At School - https://successatschool.org
Young Minds - https://www.youngminds.org.uk