Shaping your future

There are so many potential careers in the world of STEMM, and this is your opportunity to explore as many of them as you can! You will be engaging with professionals, researching pathways and preparing for your next steps in education or training. You will also develop your transferable skill set and ready yourself for applications, interviews and selection processes.

The requirements

Shaping your future can be can be completed by doing a wide variety of activities. Before you get started, there are some key things you need to remember.  

You must undertake 15 hours of activities in this section.

Only 10 hours can be counted from work experience.

A minimum of 8 hours must be specifically linked to careers in STEMM sectors.

You must show evidence of having explored careers in more than one STEMM sector.

The remainder of the hours can be made up of general career guidance and personal development.

You must undertake 30 hours of activities in this section.

Only 20 hours can be counted from work experience.

A minimum of 15 hours must be specifically linked to careers in STEMM sectors.

You must show evidence of having explored at least three careers in more than one STEMM sector.

The remainder of the hours can be made up of general career guidance and personal development.

You must undertake 45 hours of activities in this section.

Only 25 hours can be counted from work experience.

A minimum of 25 hours must be specifically linked to careers in STEMM sectors.

You must show evidence of having explored careers in more than one STEMM sector.

You must identify one specific thread to explore.

The remainder of the hours can be made up of general career guidance and personal development.

You must undertake work shadowing or work experience in a STEMM-related area.

You must interview a STEMM professional and produce an article on it.

Example activities

Here are just a few ideas of activities to get you started. Check out the student blogs to read about other ways in which YSA participants have been shaping their future. If you come up with your own idea, be sure to check with your school coordinator that it would be valid for this strand.

You could attend a conference and meet with STEMM professionals (for example the John Innes Centre ‘Women of the Future’ event).

You could complete an application for a STEMM-related course or qualification e.g. STEMM A-Levels at 6th Form College.

You could receive mentoring in interview skills or how to write a good application.

You could research a particular STEMM career and present evidence of this.

You could do some work shadowing or work experience in a STEMM-related career.

You could spend time with a mentor re-drafting a letter or application.

You could meet with a Careers Guidance Advisor.

You could attend a Careers Fair.

Find out more about our other strands

Find out more about our different awards