Case studies : Personal adviser: Chris

Chris has a BA in Youth and Community Work from the University of Huddersfield. He also holds a diploma in careers from the University of Sheffield. Chris currently works as personal adviser, guiding young people to find work and further training.

My job role is to work with young people to find them further education, employment, or training. The settings I work in are varied as I usually work in schools, colleges and in the community based at a local youth centre. I provide information advice and guidance as well a one-to-one personal support and group work sessions.

Both my diploma and degree are relevant to the work I do. My degree is based on a youth work background but since then I have gained a careers and guidance NVQ-4 which makes me qualified in two areas. This enables me to have both an understanding of what affects young people and how my skills are best used to support that young person but also have a targeted planned careers source of information that will help map out an academic route for that individual also.

I enjoy working with young people. It is great if you can help them realise there full potential and gain a smooth transition into adulthood. However, the new Government is looking to make changes or cutting most of the private and public sector funds. For me this will not change the fact that young people need support and guidance.

I would tell other students and graduates to get into this type of work because you like young people and you want to make a difference. It is a great job if you want to implement positive changes, and not just for the money, as young people can tell when who truly believes in them and who doesn’t.