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Watch the videos of different young people try out a variety of careers for a day! Maybe you will find something you would like to do in the future.

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This dynamic series of seven short films follows a group of teenagers as they try out being an apprentice for the day in a variety of different jobs everything from a hairdresser to a dental nurse.
The films include:-

Careers mentor Aimee Bateman offering advice on how to create a CV and cover letter

insights into what it's like to be an apprentice for a day.

Job roles include: engineer, hairdresser, plumber, chef, outdoor education tutor and dental nurse

These clips are taken from the original BBC series, Apprentice for a Day

Suitable for: KS3 and KS4 / GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 3rd and 4th Level in Scotland

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KS3 / KS4 Business: Apprentice for a Day

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This dynamic series of seven short films follows a group of teenagers as they try out being an apprentice for the day in a variety of different jobs everything from a hairdresser to a dental nurse.

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Simon Tcherniak

Senior Furniture Designer

This week's interviewee works at Neville Johnson and helps to create original furniture for people's houses, to give them the home that they've always wanted.

What I do

I design bespoke [custom-made] fitted furniture. Every piece is unique because every room is different and every client has different needs and tastes. I design studies, libraries, living rooms, cinemas and bedrooms.

How I got my job

I used to work for myself as a carpenter and cabinet maker. I had to first design the furniture and realised it was that part I most enjoyed. Some people come from an architecture or interior design background, and some people come from a pure sales background.

What I love about my job

I enjoy meeting people in their homes. Many people have spent years thinking about the bespoke piece they want, and it feels very gratifying to help them realise it. I also really enjoy sketching with the clients to get their feedback, and then producing CAD [computer-aided design] visuals for presentation.

What's difficult about my job

The hours can be long, as many people will only be able to see you when they get home from work - so that means evenings and perhaps weekends. Pay is related to performance, which I find very motivating - if I work hard I can earn well. Neville Johnson offers a free design service, so you do have to be a little careful that you don't spend too much time designing projects that are unlikely to become orders.

What skills I need

Listening, influencing and drawing. You have to make sure you understand what the client is looking for before you start designing, otherwise you can just jump in with something that doesn't work for them.

Sometimes clients want something that simply won't work. You have to steer them towards a solution that will work without feeling that they are being denied their vision. And my sketching, drafting skills and CAD skills used to be pretty weak, but it is amazing how you improve through repetition.

Where should young people start if they want to do the job, too?

The first thing to do is find out if you enjoy it. Look around your home and think about how the space could be used better. You could draw a scale version of your proposed furniture (where 10mm on your ruler represents 200mm in the room). Get feedback from your family and think about how you could adapt the design to take account of their needs. Visit a bespoke furniture or kitchen showroom to chat to the designers about their job and how they got into it. A company might recommend a course in interior design, furniture design or cabinet making, or suggest you gain experience in sales. Experience is normally the most important thing, so try to get the experience you need for the company you want to work with.

How my job could change in the future

Apps are now available that allow users to scan and measure their own rooms, and then select premade furniture that fits the space. But I am sure at the higher end of the market people will still want to work with a designer to make something truly unique.

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What does a Senior Furniture Designer do? | First Careers

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Simon Tcherniak Senior Furniture Designer This week's interviewee works at Neville Johnson and helps to create original furniture for people's houses, to give them the home that they've always wanted. What I do I design bespoke [custom-made] fitted furniture. Every piece is unique because every room is different and every client has different [...]Read More...

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Guha Bala

Games Creator

What I do

As studio head of Vicarious Visions, I work with the creative team that made Skylanders: Swap Force. My job involves supporting the team to make the most magical experiences in bringing toys to life. A lot of my work is in building a great environment for new ideas to flourish and be brought to players.

How I got my job

My brother and I started our studio when we were in high school. Since then, our studio has grown through its creative work in making games. In a sense, it's our customers who have really given me and all the developers at Vicarious our jobs.

What I love about my job

I love working with my creative team on new innovations that help shape the way players experience toys and games. Our work environment and our team makes all the difference in our day-to-day work, and our positive impact on our players makes our work worthwhile.

What's difficult about my job

We have to continuously surprise and delight with our creative work.

What skills I need

There are many skill sets that go into making a Skylanders game. Teams of artists, designers, programmers and writers work for years to make each game. Whatever your school interest (maths, science, creative writing, art), it's likely there's a way it translates into making games.

Where should young people start if they want to do the job too?

There are so many ways to start making games today on mobile and PC platforms, and many tools to help you. Start with creative projects that you are passionate about and do them as hobbies. And use your school subjects to help learn how to make games, either through writing, programming, digital art, or science. Study the best games, like you would a good film, and see how the creators make and create experiences for the players. My hobby of making games in high school became my passion. I found that making games was even more fun than playing them. Of course, I enjoy playing games very much.

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What does a Games Creator do? | First Careers

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Guha Bala Games Creator What I do As studio head of Vicarious Visions, I work with the creative team that made Skylanders: Swap Force. My job involves supporting the team to make the most magical experiences in bringing toys to life. A lot of my work is in building a great environment for [...]Read More...

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Matthew Ashton

LEGO Designer

What I do

I am vice president of design at the LEGO Group, which means I oversee a team of super talented toy designers. Together we develop some of the most iconic, fun and creative toys in the world! We focus on classic lines like LEGO City and LEGO Minifigures.

We also create building sets based on some of the most popular TV shows and movies, like LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Harry Potter, LEGO DC and Marvel Superheroes. I have also been involved in the development of our LEGO movies with Warner Bros.

How I got my job

My childhood dream came true! My brother and I played with LEGO and I used to imagine how awesome it would be to become a toy designer when I grew up. Although I wasn't sure if it was a real job, so it seemed a pipe dream! I did an art foundation course at college and then studied fashion, textile design and business studies at university. This led me to the New Designers exhibition, where companies meet graduates and see their work. Space is limited, so most graduates displayed one garment or a mood board with their portfolio. I wanted to showcase my entire collection, so I made a miniature version of it all on Barbie dolls. Talent scouts from LEGO saw my display, loved what I did and I was asked for an interview. After doing some freelance work, I was offered a permanent role at LEGO HQ in Denmark, so I dropped everything and moved there.

What I love about my job

There are so many things I love about my job. The creative environment, working with such a diverse group of talented designers, working for such a popular brand that is so dear to so many people's hearts, but above all making toys that will inspire kids around the world!

What is difficult about my job

There is a huge responsibility that comes with my job. As LEGO toys are so loved, it's important to maintain the standard that is expected from us, while trying new things to make sure our toys are fresh, current, exciting, surprising and relevant for kids of today.

What skills I need

For my role, you need a good understanding of design with an eye for detail, topped off with some business sense. But above all, you need heaps of passion to keep the team motivated to come up with the best ideas. Plus, of course, a little element of not wanting to grow up is healthy in the world of toys!

Where to start

There are generally two ways of becoming a designer. One is through a design qualification from university. We have employed people that are product, industrial, transport and graphic designers, plus sculptors and illustrators, as well as those with videogame, entertainment and animation backgrounds. We have also recruited designers from our adult fan community. These super talented guys and girls have spent their lives building LEGO models and improving their building skills to turn their hobby into a career. We receive thousands of applications for designer positions, so people have to make sure their application stands out.

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What's it like to be a LEGO Designer? | First Careers

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Matthew Ashton LEGO Designer What I do I am vice president of design at the LEGO Group, which means I oversee a team of super talented toy designers. Together we develop some of the most iconic, fun and creative toys in the world! We focus on classic lines like LEGO City and LEGO [...]Read More...

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What is it like to be an Architect? | First Careers

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Chris Musangi Architect What I do I am an architect, which means I help to design and construct buildings. I have worked on many interesting projects in the USA, the UK and abroad, and I am currently working on two high-end residential projects in the Cotswolds and Montenegro. Before these projects, I was [...]Read More…

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Visit this website and take the quiz to see which careers in media may be for you!

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THIS IS HOW – TURN YOUR PASSIONS INTO SKILLS

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Daniel Obichukwu,
Creative Designer at TikTok

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Emily Thomas

Editor/Publisher

What I do

I am a publisher. The definition of this varies a little but, essentially, it means I plan a list of books to produce and publish for a particular market or kind of reader. Before I buy any book I have to make sure it is going to be promotable and that often determines how much we pay the author, though other factors are often involved. I also edit as much as I can, and plan the cover with the designer.

How I got my job

A long time ago, I answered an ad for a job as a secretary to the publishing director of a small children's books publisher. There were only three of us! This meant that, though I wasn't a brilliant secretary, my love of books and reading was put to very good use and I knew I wanted to become an editor one day. I learned so much in at the deep end, that it gave me valuable experience and confidence for future jobs in publishing.

What I love about my job

Working with talented and sometimes vulnerable authors (writing for an audience is a brave thing to do!) to make a great book even better is the best feeling. And the relationship between an editor and author is like no other. You bond on a particular level and that feels amazing. I love the creative side of my job - the editing and the visual/design aspect.

What's difficult about my job

Difficult is probably not quite the right word but certainly tact and sensitivity are two things that are sharpened in my job. Sometimes you have to have dificult conversations - whether about the editing or how well the book is selling - or convincing an author that the cover they hate is a good idea.

Where to start

After a degree, try hard to get experience as an intern with as many publishers as possible, and be focused about which area of publishing you feel most connected with. If you know that, then take all the extra work you can, and be prepared to start at the bottom, work hard, listen and be patient. Get a mentor too! Target someone you admire and respect and spend time talking to them about their job.

Read a lot, and keep an eye on what's happening in the industry. It takes time to get to be an editor, and more time after that to run your own list, but keep focused and engaged and humble, and you'll get there in the end!

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What does an Editor/Publisher do? | First Careers

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Emily Thomas Editor/Publisher What I do I am a publisher. The definition of this varies a little but, essentially, it means I plan a list of books to produce and publish for a particular market or kind of reader. Before I buy any book I have to make sure it is going to be [...]Read More...

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If you love animals and think you might want to be a vet, this First Careers film will give you an insight into what the job involves. And even if you don't want to be a vet, it's still a fascinating film with some super-cute animals in it!
What's the job?
Aquatic animal vet.

Who would I be working for?
There are hundreds of zoos and aquariums in the UK and they are popular all around the world, although many of these are very small and only keep a limited range of creatures, such as penguins, butterflies, birds of prey or primates. The larger the zoological facility you work for, the wider the range of species you are likely to work with. At somewhere like SeaWorld Parks, vets might have to deal with hundreds of different types of animal or marine life.

What do they do?
Vets are like doctors are to humans! They treat sick or injured animals, but if they are quite senior they may also have to manage a team of people, including other vets.
What sort of work is involved?

Diagnosing and treating sick animals, including performing operations. In a place like SeaWorld, this could involve anything from turtles to dolphins. With the aquatic animals that SeaWorld specialise in, you would have to get used to treating animals while they're in the water!

Using technology to find out what is wrong with a sick animal. This could include digital radiography (X-rays), as well as ultrasound, where reflected sound waves are used to build up a picture of the part of the body you're interested in, or endoscopy, which involves using a very thin cable with a camera at one end to see high-quality images of an animal's insides.

Carrying out preventative work, to try and stop animals getting ill in the first place. This could include things like regular check-ups and giving vaccinations.

Talking to your peers or colleagues to discuss any problems. Keepers know the animals better than anyone, so they can often give vets an early warning about any problems.

Discussing treatment programmes with colleagues and other zoological institutions around the world.

Making sure that electronic records of each animal's treatment are correct and up to date.

If an animal is very old and in pain that can't be treated, you may have to give them an injection to put them to sleep. This is one of the saddest, but most necessary, parts of a vet's job.

What skills do I need?

Ability to handle animals of all shapes and sizes.

Being caring is essential, but so is the ability to not let your emotions influence any tough decisions you have to make about a sick animal.

An understanding of medical technology, and the ability to quickly learn how to use and apply new gadgets and software as it becomes available.

Confidence with IT, as computers are increasingly used to analyse medical images and results, as well as keep records. Treating exotic animals also means that you'll often have to access electronic databases to learn about animals or diseases that you haven't come across before.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as you will have to work with colleagues from a wide variety of backgrounds and countries. You will also have to speak to and email experts in other facilities and share information electronically so that you can work together to solve problems with your animals. Organisational skills are very important, too, as you will have to deal with a large number of animals and people, and various computer programs.

What qualifications do I need?
There are only eight official university veterinary schools in the UK (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Nottingham, Cambridge, London, Surrey and Bristol), but they all have slightly different requirements. Typically, you will need AAB or AAA at A level, including biology. The other expected subjects would be chemistry, physics or maths. You would also have to have at least a grade C (4/5 in the new system) at GCSE in English language, maths and science.

You can get more detail about required grades and equivalents on the website for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons or on the websites of the eight veterinary schools.

What hours would I work?
Vets working at SeaWorld are available 24-7 for the animals that call the park home and rescued animals. However, when you're starting out at a local veterinary practice, you'll probably have a pretty standard working week of something like 9-5.30 from Mon-Fri, possibly with some slightly later evenings and some Saturday mornings.

Where would I work?
There are zoos and aquariums in every part of the UK and the rest of the world, so you could end up just about anywhere! However, you would usually need to get a few years' experience of being a vet in a local veterinary practice before you could start to think about working in a zoo with more exotic animals. There are thousands of veterinary practices across the UK, so there's almost certainly one near where you live!

How much would I get paid?
A newly-qualified vet might get around £30,000 a year. A very senior vet could be earning up to £60-70,000, depending on where they work. Many zoos are charities, so they may not pay quite as well as a private company would.

Can I do work experience?
Yes, and if you want to become a vet, the more work experience you can get, the better. Find out if your school has any contacts with local vets, zoos or farms where you might be able to get experience. Also, getting experience with a wide range of animals is really valuable.

How might the job change in the future?
As more species go extinct, experts will have to decide which ones are most likely to benefit from being bred in zoological facilities. Places like SeaWorld already invest millions of dollars conserving wild animals and wild places, as well as supporting critical conservation work on every continent. As technology develops, there will be more ways of diagnosing and treating animals, helping them to stay healthy for longer, so you'll constantly have to adapt to new software and equipment.

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What does an Aquatic Vet do? | First Careers

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If you love animals and think you might want to be a vet, this First Careers film will give you an insight into what the job involves. And even if you don't want to be a vet, it's still a fascinating film with some super-cute animals in it! What's the job?

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If you are in Year 10 or above, please visit the Padlet for Upper School and Beyond!

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Lucy Jenkinson

Teacher

What is your job?

My name is Miss Lucy Jenkinson and I am in my fifth year of teaching. I currently teach Year Four. I have previously taught Year Four, Five and Year Six twice.

What does it feel like to be a new teacher at a school?

Being a new teacher can be really quite daunting! Getting to know the school site and where everything is can take some getting used to and I think new pupils must share this too. There are lots of staff members to get to know and learning everyone's names on top of all the children's takes a while. I think there are many similarities to starting as a new teacher and as a pupil; getting used to the new school site, new people to meet and get to know, new timetables to get your head around and getting to know how the school generally works.

What do you do to prepare yourself for teaching in a new school?

Like children starting a new school, we get a couple of days at our new school to meet staff, meet our new class and have a tour of the site.

This is helpful to gather as much information as possible about timetables, staff members I need to know about and what my new class will be like. I usually go in over the summer to set my classroom up and start meeting staff and getting to know the caretaker: someone you should definitely have on your side!

Did you always want to be a teacher?

Originally I wanted to be a TV presenter or a journalist as I am interested in media, but helping teach ballet at my dance school inspired me to become a teacher. I had some fantastic teachers at primary and remembered how much fun I had and I knew from this that I also wanted to create and share these experiences for children.

Do you have a favourite subject you like teaching most?

I love teaching literacy. I enjoy reading and love literature and getting children excited about books and writing.

What qualities do you need to have to do your job well?

You need to be a people person. Engaging children in their learning at all different levels and learning styles requires you to be able to understand people and interact and engage with them on their individual level. You need to be organised - the list of jobs is endless and it's important to try to keep on top of them. You need to have a good sense of humour and have patience and understanding for the children, staff and adults that you work with.

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What is it like to be a Teacher? | First Careers

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Lucy Jenkinson Teacher What is your job? My name is Miss Lucy Jenkinson and I am in my fifth year of teaching. I currently teach Year Four. I have previously taught Year Four, Five and Year Six twice. What does it feel like to be a new teacher at a school?

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Journalist
Who would I be working for?
Local or national newspapers, magazines or websites.
What do they do?
Journalists write about national and global events, politics, sport, science, entertainment, and all of the other things that you read about in First News. Magazines or websites might specialise in a particular area, like cars or music or hairstyles.
What sort of work is involved?

Researching the latest news story and writing about it, from natural disasters and new scientific findings, to Oscar winners or some elephants being rescued from a mudhole!

Journalists have to be prepared to write about anything.

Interviewing people to get information for your story.

Checking facts, such as names, dates and locations, to make sure that what you're writing is correct.

Taking pictures and filming/editing videos to go with your story.

Speaking to contacts and press officers, so that you're up to date on whatever you're covering.

Reading other papers, magazines and websites, as well as things like Twitter, so that you know what's going on elsewhere and what people are talking about.

Going to events and press conferences to find out information and ask questions.

What skills do I need?

Excellent reading, writing and communication skills.

The ability to sum up complex information and multiple events in a small number of words.

IT skills, as you'll be using computers and the internet all the time. You'll use designing and editing programs like InDesign and Photoshop, or web-based content management systems like WordPress. Photography and video editing skills are also essential.

Curiosity, as journalism is often about digging a little deeper and finding out the truth behind a story.

Ability to work under pressure and to very tight deadlines.

Ability to get on well with people, as you'll deal with a wide range of people from very different backgrounds.

What qualifications do I need?
A degree in journalism or postgraduate qualification (one you get after you leave university) is ideal. Many people also learn on the job by getting an apprenticeship. You can find out more on the website of the National Council for the Training of Journalists.
Anything else I need?
A driving licence may be needed for a local or national newspaper reporter.
What hours would I work?
Journalists, especially those who are just starting out, may have to work long hours, weekends and bank holidays, and travel long distances to get to events or interviews. Daily newspapers probably have the most anti-social hours, whereas a magazine that comes out every month may be closer to 9.30am - 6pm, Mon-Fri.
Where would I work?
The biggest-selling UK newspapers and magazines are generally based in London, Glasgow and Belfast. But many places have local newspapers, and there are large magazine publishers in places like Peterborough, Bath and Bristol. Many freelance journalists work from home, although they may need to travel a lot to get information and interviews for their stories.
How much would I get paid?
A trainee may start on around £15,000, rising to £30-50,000 for someone with lots of experience and a more senior position. An editor could get significantly more, and daily national newspapers will generally have higher salaries. Freelance journalists who write for lots of publications will get paid either by the word or get a set fee for an article.
Can I do work experience?
Yes, lots of newspapers and magazines will take people on, so write to them and let them know why you want to work there. Any practical experience is very important, so writing articles for websites or your school newspaper will be a big help. If your school doesn't have one, why not start your own?
How might the job change in the future?
Software is already being used by some newspaper websites to instantly create news stories based on certain events, such as earthquake tremors or business reports. Hopefully this will give journalists extra time to work on more complicated stories or ones that need a human touch. As the world gets more technology-based, journalists will need to be more tech-savvy than ever before.

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What's does a Journalist do? | First Careers

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What's the job? Journalist Who would I be working for? Local or national newspapers, magazines or websites. What do they do? Journalists write about national and global events, politics, sport, science, entertainment, and all of the other things that you read about in First News.

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Ollie Gerrett

Doctor

What I do

I'm a doctor (a GP).

How I got my job

I went to university for five years then did two years working as a junior doctor, followed by three years of training specifically to be a GP. I then filled in at lots of different practices while looking for a permanent job. This was interesting because I got to see both good and bad practices. I kept looking for permanent jobs and eventually was lucky enough to nd one near where I live.

What I love about my job

I love that every day is different. I also enjoy spending time with my patients and trying to help them. It can be so rewarding and I learn things every day! I also love the people I work with. On a busy day they keep me going, usually by keeping the tea owing!

What's difficult about my job

It can be hard trying to work out what is wrong with people sometimes. There can also be a lot of paperwork and quite long hours. It can be hard trying to meet patients' expectations within the limitations of the NHS.

What skills I need

You need to be caring, a good listener and have lots of patience! It is also important to have an interest in science. You have to be quite organised and also open to change, as the day can alter in a second.

Where should young people start if they want to do the job too?

You need to do well at school and I would suggest doing some work experience, either in a hospital or somewhere like a nursing home. You could speak to some local doctors and get their advice and experiences. You need to be prepared for years of studying but lots of fun along the way!

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What is it like to be a Doctor? | First Careers

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Ollie Gerrett Doctor What I do I'm a doctor (a GP). How I got my job I went to university for five years then did two years working as a junior doctor, followed by three years of training specifically to be a GP. I then filled in at lots of different practices while [...]Read More...

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What's the job?Astronaut.
What sort of work is involved?

Training for space missions, which includes working in deep pools to simulate weightlessness.

Operating spaceships and the many systems on board the ISS.

Carrying out repairs and maintenance to the ISS, including equipment on the outside that may be hard to reach.

Performing experiments set by researchers. This could include seeing how plants and creatures grow in space, or even testing the human body to see how being in space affects it.

Talking to journalists and the public to raise awareness of the importance of space research.

What skills do I need?

Good reasoning capabilities.

The ability to work under stress and stay calm.

Good memory and concentration.

Manual dexterity (being good with your hands) is a must, so that you can carry out repairs and experiments in tricky conditions.

The ability to speak to and get on with people from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities.

You must be physically and mentally fit.

Eye problems are the main reason why people fail the application process, so good vision and healthy eyesight are very important, although being short-sighted or long-sighted doesn't necessarily mean you can't be an astronaut.

Being able to speak Russian is a bonus, but not compulsory. Russian is the second language on board the ISS and is taught during astronaut training.

Tags: Experiments, Space, Spaceships

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What is it like to be an Astronaut? | First Careers

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What's the job? Astronaut. Who would I be working for? There aren't too many organisations that can afford spaceships, so your options are a bit limited! For anyone born in Europe, the European Space Agency is the likely employer for astronauts. Their training centre is in Cologne, Germany. What do they do?

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Are you in Year 9 and starting to consider what subjects you may like to choose for your GCSE options? Read the article and watch this helpful video from the University of Manchester to learn what factors you should be considering during this exciting process!

https://sites.manchester.ac.uk/gatewaysresources/home/for-year-9/gcse-options-9/

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Choose something that you enjoy - you're going to be studying these subjects for the next 2 years (at least) - and if you enjoy it, you're more likely to do well.

Choose something that you're good at - if you're good at something, you're more likely to enjoy it, and keep yourself motivated.

Talk to others about your decisions - you have people around you that are there to support your decision making, and it's really useful to talk to them about your options (teachers, careers advisors, parents, carers, siblings, friends) - they shouldn't make your decision for you, but can be a great source of advice and alternative perspectives.

Research into your goals and ambitions - if you know vaguely what you want to do as a career, what you want to study at university, or even what you want to do at A-Level, then you should research into this course/profession and ensure that you are taking the relevant GCSE subjects.

Keep your options open - if you aren't sure about what you want to do after your GCSEs, then choose subjects that will open doors for you, whatever you decide to do after school. A good balance of different subjects will keep future options open, give you a good overview, and will help you realise what you are best at for decisions later in your education.

Choose something because your friends are - although this may make your lessons more fun, having your friends around won't help you when you have to sit an exam in that subject. It's therefore important not to choose something simply because others around you are. It also means that when you see your friends outside of lessons, you'll have more to talk about, and you may even make new friends!

Choose something because you like the teacher - you may not have the same teacher next year, and without that teacher, will you still enjoy the subject? Teachers will leave schools, or may not teach you when you change year groups, so you should never base your decisions on the teacher.

Choose something you don't like, because someone told you to - it's great to get advice and support from other people, but it's also important that you are the one to make the final decision, as you're the one that will be studying the subject!

Choose a subject because you think it'll be easy - no subjects are easy, so don't pick a subject for this reason!

Now we've focused on why your GCSEs are important, let's start to think more about your future beyond GCSEs and even A Levels or BTECS. Click on the boxes below to see how higher education can help you improve your skills in the future.

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Choose something that you enjoy - you're going to be studying these subjects for the next 2 years (at least) - and if you enjoy it, you're more likely to do well. Choose something that you're good at - if you're good at something, you're more likely to enjoy it, and keep yourself motivated.

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Use the careers library to search for careers in different industries that may be of interest to you. Don’t forget to favourite the articles you like the most to refer back to at a later date!

https://www.unifrog.org/student/careers

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Use the subject library to search for different careers by the school subjects your are interested in. Don’t forget to favourite the articles you like the most so you can refer back to them at a later date!

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Sponsored feature: How do rollercoasters work? What goes into being a theme park ride designer? If they're the kind of questions you find yourself asking, this First Careers film is for you! We flew over to America to visit the leading theme park company SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in Florida, to find out more about what goes into building some of the world's most famous attractions, which involved taking a terrifying walk up to the top of SeaWorld's tallest rollercoaster. Eek!
What's the job?
Head of theme park development and engineering.

Who would I be working for?
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a leading theme park and entertainment company and one of the world's foremost zoological organisations; renowned for the rescue and rehabilitation of marine and terrestrial animals.

What do they do?
Theme park design takes in a lot of different roles, and some people may do several or specialise in something really specific. But they do things like work on the layout of a park, come up with new ideas for rides, put those ideas into practice and build a ride, or work on the look and feel of a ride.

What sort of work is involved?
It depends on the particular park, and whether you work full-time for them or if you are a freelancer who does individual projects for lots of parks, but these are the kinds of things that the head of theme park development and engineering at SeaWorld might do:

Design the layout of a new park, taking into account which bits are likely to be most popular, and trying to make sure the flow of visitors moves smoothly between them, without any bottlenecks.

Come up with new ideas for rides, or new scripts and ideas for existing attractions.

Attending meetings to discuss your ideas and other people's. Ride designs usually go through many different stages and many different people before they are finalised, so it's very unlikely that any ride will be 100% one person's idea.

For people with technical skills, there's the chance to get involved in the physics of how a ride works and the engineering skills that help to make it, and help to make sure that it gives people the ultimate thrill but remains perfectly safe.

What skills do I need?
This might differ from company to company, but skills that could be helpful include:

Have a vision for a ride and its design? Then design/illustration skills will be useful. It's possible for someone to make a rough sketch of something with no artistic ability whatsoever, but good illustrators can help to flesh those ideas out for a fuller picture of the final park or ride. Designers are also needed to create the final look of the ride.

Creativity. Visitors always want the new thing, whether it's the fastest ride or the highest, or maybe the one with the most impressive new tech.

Excellent maths/science skills. If you're involved with the technical aspects of new rides, like Mike in the above video, you'll need an excellent grasp of physics, maths and engineering. You need to understand the speed and forces involved in a ride, as well as all the stresses and strains on the cars and track.

Being methodical is essential when you're building a new ride, as you need to consider every single possibility of what could happen, so that nothing is overlooked.

Great communication skills. All theme parks involve working in groups to put ideas into practice, so you need to be able to get your ideas across to large groups of people.

Willingness to take criticism. Your ideas may get dumped, overruled or changed beyond all recognition, so you can't take anything to heart.

What qualifications do I need?
This can vary depending on the company you work for and the exact type of role. For someone like Mike from our film, his career has involved using his engineering degree to design rides, putting into practice everything that he knows about gravity and potential energy. Structural engineering and mechanical engineering are the two types of degree that are most closely involved with building rollercoasters.

To do a degree like that, you'd need good science GCSEs (or equivalents) and to have studied maths and physics at A Level (or equivalent). All universities have different requirements, so take a look at a few of their websites to see what kind of A Levels you would need to get for an engineering degree there.

What hours would I work?
Although theme parks and zoos are open seven days a week and on most days throughout the year, a role like this would most likely involve working roughly 9 to 5.30 Mon-Fri, but with potential for longer hours or weekend work if there's a big project on.

Where would I work?
There are theme parks everywhere, although due to their size, they tend to be away from towns where there is more land available. SeaWorld has several parks in America, from Florida to California.

How much would I get paid?
Graduate engineers in the UK have an average salary of around £25,000. This will increase with experience, and if you work your way up to be a project manager overseeing new parks and concepts, you could get paid as much as £100,000 or more, although there are very few jobs of that kind going.

Can I do work experience?
Many people in the top jobs at theme parks started on the lowest rung of the ladder, selling tickets or showing people around, then gradually worked their way up, so it's always worth writing to nearby parks to see if there's anything you can do. Engineers generally do lengthy placements in the last year or two of their degree, where they put their learning into practice. However, since there aren't that many companies who design or make rollercoasters, it might take some research to arrange a placement with one.

How might the job change in the future?
It already is! Theme parks are always on the lookout for new thrills and spills, and often lead the way in the use of new technologies, so theme park designers' jobs are constantly changing and adapting.

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What does a Theme park Designer do? | First Careers

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Sponsored feature: How do rollercoasters work? What goes into being a theme park ride designer? If they're the kind of questions you find yourself asking, this First Careers film is for you! We flew over to America to visit the leading theme park company SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in Florida, to find out more about [...]Read More...

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Sarah Ambrose

Airline pilot

In our series of careers films and interviews, you'll see lots of different people doing lots of different jobs - and maybe your dream career will be in there somewhere! Lots of kids dream about being a pilot, so maybe this one's for you!
We spoke to easyJet pilot Sarah to find out how she got into this exciting career, and how you can too. Boarding passes at the ready...
What I do

I am an airline pilot for easyJet! I'm a first officer, which means I'm second in command after the captain. I fly all kinds of people from London Gatwick airport where I am based, safely and efficiently to their destinations all across Europe.

How I got my job

I had my first flying lesson in a small aircraft when I was 17 years old and I enjoyed flying so much it became a hobby for me. When I was 29, I decided to apply for a part-scholarship partnership with easyJet. I was accepted and went on to flying school to complete my training course, which took around 18 months. I officially started flying passengers with easyJet as a pilot in 2019 and
the rest is history!

What I love about my job

I love that every day is different. My job never gets old! I get to travel around Europe and so I am also lucky that I get to see the amazing views from the flight deck at the front of the plane where we sit - they are always different and beautiful.

What's difficult about it

Sometimes there can be unexpected challenges like bad weather, which can turn a long day into a much longer day! But we'll always work together to ensure we look after our customers and keep them informed if things don't go as planned.

What skills I need

To be a pilot you need great leadership and communication skills, as you're working as part of a team every day, alongside your co-pilot and cabin crew. You also need to be really organised and be able to prioritise, to make sure your flights run smoothly for your passengers. Of course, you'll also need good co-ordination to operate the controls and be able to pick up new skills quickly. It's a very practical job and so I'd encourage anyone who is creative and enjoys being hands-on to also think about it as a great career option.

What school subjects are important

To join easyJet's pilot training programme, you'll need five GCSEs at grade C or grade 4 and above, and that will need to include maths, science and English language. A good knowledge of physics is particularly useful for when you're doing your theory training at flight school. It may also be useful to speak another language, as we fly with colleagues and passengers from all over Europe, and the world.

Where young people should start if they want to do this job

Take a few trial lessons and see how you enjoy flying - if you love it, treat your first flight as the beginning of your career. You could also join the air cadets to get more experience and learn about flying. When you go on holiday, ask if you can visit the pilots in the flight deck when the plane is on the ground to see where we work - we're always happy to speak to any aspiring future pilots!

How do you think your job could change in the future?

I think the aircraft of the future - including the fuel and the systems to power the aircraft - will be very different, as the industry is already working on new, zero-carbon emission technologies for sustainable air travel. easyJet are working with lots of partners who are developing zero-carbon emission technologies for passenger planes, such as using hydrogen, to help try to make flying zero-carbon emission aircraft possible from the mid-2030s, which is really exciting to think about.

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A pilot tells us about her job | First Careers

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Sarah Ambrose Airline pilot In our series of careers films and interviews, you'll see lots of different people doing lots of different jobs - and maybe your dream career will be in there somewhere! Lots of kids dream about being a pilot, so maybe this one's for you!

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We ventured across the pond to meet some of the dedicated people who work at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a leading theme park and entertainment company. SeaWorld Parks is one of the world's foremost zoological organisations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. In the latest film in this series, we meet Cara Martel, a Zoological Supervisor for one of the SeaWorld Parks - Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Florida. She works with amazing animals, right at the heart of one of the world's best theme parks, and yes, we are incredibly jealous!
What's the job?
Zoological supervisor.

Who would I be working for?
In Britain alone there are hundreds of zoos and aquariums, with a wide range of amazing creatures for visitors to learn about. Some might be quite small or specialise in one type of animal, but Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida has more than 200 different species, from big cats like cheetahs, lions and tigers, to rhinos, sloths, giraffes, penguins and flamingos.

What do they do?
Manage a team that looks after the animals in a zoo. In a large zoo, they might take charge of one section, such as big cats or primates. Cara in this film looks after rhinos and hoofstock, which means any animals with hooves.

What sort of work is involved?
That'll depend on how big the zoo is, but these are some of the things that could be part of the job:
What skills do I need?

Deciding what the priorities are for your team and giving tasks to individuals or groups.

Meeting with the zoo's vets to discuss any problems that your animals are having, and working out how to deal with them.

Talking to groundskeepers to ensure the animals' enclosures are as close to their natural habitats as possible.

Working on zoological research, which may involve trips overseas to an animal's natural habitat.

Taking part in, or leading, the zoo's conservation programmes. This could also involve talking to zoo visitors about conservation or helping to raise money from the public and businesses so that the zoo can do more conservation work.

Helping your team with any problems they have, and helping them to get the experience they need to keep improving their skills.

Willingness to work outside in all kinds of weather - most places aren't as warm and sunny as Florida, especially in the UK!

The ability to be comfortable around all kinds of animals.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as you will need to manage a team efficiently.

Have meetings with senior management where you will need to explain clearly how your projects are progressing.

Talk to scientists, vets and a wide range of people who need to be kept up to date with the animals in your care.

Organisational and administration skills are also a must, as you'll have lots of things to keep track of, including the animals you're responsible for, your team, projects and budgets.

What qualifications do I need?
An interest in animals and the ability to pass this knowledge on to visitors and guests. Biology qualifications are very important, although you'll also need management and business/administration skills too.

What hours would I work?
Most zoos and theme parks are open seven days a week all year round, and a role like this would involve working varying schedules, including some weekends and bank holidays. The conservation impact you have and the time spent with amazing animals make it all worthwhile though.

Where would I work?
Wherever there's a zoo, which is pretty much everywhere!

How much would I get paid?
It's difficult to say, as it's not a common job and zoos are so different in size that responsibilities will change a lot between organisations.

Can I do work experience?
As with lots of zoo jobs, any practical experience you can get with animals is a good thing, so if there are local vets, zoos or farms you can help out at, get in touch with them and sound keen, and hopefully someone will give you a chance.
To find out about other exciting roles at the SeaWorld Parks, such as becoming a vet, an animal rescuer, or even a career as a theme park designer, then check out the rest of the films in the series!

How might the job change in the future?
As more species become extinct, experts will have to decide which ones are most likely to benefit from being bred in zoological facilities. Places like SeaWorld Parks already invest millions of dollars conserving wild animals and wild places, as well as supporting critical conservation work on every continent. As technology develops, there will be more ways of diagnosing and treating animals, helping them to stay healthy for longer, so the care for the animals and people looking after them will have to adapt and keep up with these changes.

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What's the job of a zoological supervisor like? | First Careers

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We ventured across the pond to meet some of the dedicated people who work at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a leading theme park and entertainment company. SeaWorld Parks is one of the world's foremost zoological organisations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care.

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