not sure what to do next in life

Not sure what to do next in life?

Get ideas for next steps to take you to a place you want to be.

How are you doing today? Are you here because you're not 100% sure what to do next with your life? It happens to everyone.

We weren't all born knowing exactly what we want to do, and that's okay. The good news? You can break any big problems down into little ones by asking yourself the right questions.

Whatever you want in life (and even if you're not sure yet), this section is here to help you with those tricky life choices. It doesn't matter what your background and study/work situation is. You already have what it takes to get thinking about major life decisions like:

  • Which subjects to study?
  • What to do next after school, college or university?
  • What careers match your interests?
  • What can you do with your qualifications and experience so far?
  • Who can help if you don't know what to do in life?

Help with jobs and careers

Career ideas to help you get thinking about what you really want in life...

Get Into Hospitality Careers With Hotel Jobs From IHG Hotels & Resorts

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4 Most Exciting Careers for Young People – VHR Engineering Careers

find career ideas for school leavers

Career Ideas for School Leavers After Exams

Working in local government – Greg Tye chats about his Degree Apprenticeship #LocalGov

Working in local government – meet Fiona, Planning Officer with Degree Apprenticeship #LocalGov

Working in local government – meet Jacqui, NGDP Graduate Trainee at the Local Government Association #LocalGov

What are the best digital skills to learn? London Digital Jobs and Skills Hub

Working in local government – meet Lara, Project Support Officer #LocalGov

Can you work in local government jobs with no qualifications or experience? #LocalGov

How to Choose a Career When Nothing Interests You

What to do if you have just got your GCSE results – advice from Careers in Eyecare

T Levels success – these T Level students did it their way

best paid jobs gcses

11 of the best-paid jobs you can do with GCSEs

What types of construction apprenticeships are there?

Darci Childcare Assistant

How to become a childcare assistant with Aspiration Training – see Darci’s story

What types of jobs are there in the Hospitality and Catering industry?

Graduate Employment and Skills Guide

Post 16 options – what are your vocational options?

What is an HND or HNC?

Two young business people or students together in the computer workshop

What is a Foundation Degree?

How To Find A Job You Love In 6 Steps

7 Reasons to do a dental nursing apprenticeship with award-winning Aspiration Training

Career Podcast – Meet Digital Strategist Polly McGee

Tara Massoudi, head of business development

Tara Massoudi: From engineering graduate to business brain in a green tech startup

Shefali Sharma

Shefali Sharma: The UK space industry NEEDS young people

creativity engineering careers

CEO Jonathan Watkins on creativity in engineering careers: Jobs on TV don’t show the whole story

slashie work culture juggle multiple roles

Slashie work culture – how to juggle multiple roles and boost your skills

digital skills ai jobs

What are the top 10 AI jobs in the world?

digital skills ai careers alexa

Alexa, tell me about AI careers for young people…

careers fair tips

Careers fair tips – what to wear and how to prepare

best paid environmental jobs

What are the best-paid environmental jobs in the UK?

What are the best paid construction jobs in the UK?

best jobs for creative people

Best jobs for creative people who want something different

engineering jobs no degree

Engineering jobs you can do without a degree

How to choose a career in 4 steps if you’re not sure what you want to do

career personality test

6 Free Online Career Personality Tests to Help You Choose a Career


Getting life/work ready

Have you thought about boosting your life and work skills?

Developing the 5 most important skills for life and work is something you can do for free, in your own time. You can start building those skills with Youth Employment UK wherever you are on life's journey. It can be a big help when you don't know what to do next.

Boosting your Young Professional life and work skills means you can:

  • Boost your confidence
  • Feel like you're taking charge of your life
  • Find out more about yourself and what you genuinely want/need in life
  • Give yourself more options - both now and later down the line

You can find out more about the 5 top life and work skills below. When you're ready, head on over to our Young Professional section to get signed up and start developing these skills with free training. Don't just do it for your CV (although employers will love to see your Young Professional credentials). Do it for yourself.

Why are these skills important?

They help you get the most out of life, whatever your goals are. A successful person always says to themselves “yes, I am ready to grow”.

Young Professional – find out more.