Not sure what you want to do when you leave school? You’re not alone.
There are loads of different careers out there, and you might not have thought about some of them yet. From building houses and designing products to creating content, working with children or helping people in your community, your future career could take you in all sorts of directions.
We’ve picked out some industries that could be worth looking at – including some that are growing and offer lots of opportunities:
Business, Finance and Travel
Business covers much more than working in an office. You could work in marketing, social media, finance, sales, events, customer service or even start your own business. Every industry requires people to work in business roles meaning you can become a professional in almost any setting.
Why consider it?
Business is a very sensible and lucrative career to follow, as every organisation, company or service in the world has business professionals at the heart of it. Every industry needs people who understand business, so your skills could take you in lots of different directions. This means you could find yourself working in any industry that interests you. And once you develop business acumen, HR or marketing expertise you and your skills will always be in demand.
Computing and Digital
If you enjoy technology, gaming, computers or figuring out how things work, there are loads of careers you could explore in the digital world. You could work into areas like IT support, coding, cybersecurity, gaming, AI, data or digital marketing.
Why consider it?
Technology is changing almost every industry, so digital skills are becoming more important everywhere. It’s also an industry that’s constantly developing, meaning new technology can lead to new jobs and career paths that didn’t exist a few years ago, and the great thing about working in digital – you can even work remotely which can open up a whole new world of possibilities and careers!
Construction and the Built Environment
If you like making things, working with your hands and seeing something you’ve played a part in take shape, working in construction could be for you. You could work in areas like bricklaying, carpentry, joinery or move into roles managing building projects, safety regulations or even full teams.
Why consider it?
Construction is always changing, with new homes, buildings and projects creating opportunities for skilled workers. New technology and greener ways of building are also creating new roles and changing the way the industry works. There are plenty of opportunities across Kent and the local area too!
Creative and Design
Love taking photos, making videos, designing things, drawing or coming up with ideas? You could turn your creativity into a career in areas such as graphic design, film, TV, games, animation or digital content.
Why consider it?
The creative industries are growing and changing as new technology creates more ways to make and share content. With creative businesses and opportunities developing across Kent and London within commuting distance, there are plenty of ways to turn your ideas into a career.
Education and Early Years
If you enjoy working with children and want to help them learn, grow and develop, a career in Education and Early Years could be a great fit. You could work in nurseries, schools or other settings supporting child development or wellbeing.
Why consider it?
There will always be a need for people who can support and care for young children, especially as our population continues to grow. The Isle of Sheppey has an extensive list of schools, nurseries and community organisations with potential job roles, and the demand is always growing. It’s also a career where you can build your experience over time and move into different roles as your career develops.
Engineering, Manufacturing and Automotive
Ever wondered how machines, products and technology are made? Engineering could be a good choice if you enjoy solving problems, figuring out how things work and making things better.
Why consider it?
Engineering and manufacturing are important industries across Kent and Medway, including around Swale. As technology develops, there’s a growing need for people who can work with automation, robotics, digital technology and new ways of making things.
And you don’t have to travel far to find engineering and manufacturing businesses. Companies such as Peel Ports and Knauf are just around the corner from our College.
Hair and Beauty
If you’re creative, enjoy working with people and like helping others look and feel their best, there are lots of careers to explore in Hair and Beauty. You could become a hairdresser, barber, beauty therapist, stylist or even run your own salon.
Why consider it?
Hair and Beauty offers lots of ways to build a career around your own interests, personality and even your personal commitments. Need to work around childcare? You can work day-time shifts at a salon or even offer treatments from the comfort of your own home. You could work for an established business, build your own client base or eventually set up your own business – including right here in the local area.
Sport and Public Services
Want a career where you can help people, work as part of a team and do something to make a difference? Public Services could be worth exploring. Careers include the police, fire and rescue service, armed forces, prison service and Border Force.
Why consider it?
Public services will always need people to keep communities safe, support others and respond when they’re needed. The Isle of Sheppey has lots of opportunities in public services right on your doorstep, including HMP Elmley and HMP Swaleside. With major public service employers on the Island and across Kent, you could build a career in the local area while working in a role that helps and supports others.
Where could your career take you?
You don’t need to know exactly what job you want to do yet, just think about what you enjoy, what you’re good at and the kind of work you could see yourself doing. You might discover an industry you hadn’t considered – or find that something you already enjoy could become a career.
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