advice

shannon_164

hey🙂

does anyone know of anywhere that is accessible in northern ireland for advice on careers / education / qualifications? i am super stressed rn about so much and wanna talk to somebody who knows what they’re talking about (as in understands qualifications and how to compare a level, btec level 3 and ocn level 3 for example) but everybody so far has been so useless lol

i have talked to northern ireland careers service and genuinely, the person one minute was saying they couldn’t help me because they aren’t a careers advisor so i asked how do i talk to one then as i have reached out to the chat that says talk to a careers advisor and then suddenly, they were a careers advisor…? the only advice i was given was “yeah good to keep options open” and that was it.

i tried talking to careers service at college, the first girl i had was lovely but i feel like the conversation was a complete and utter waste of time and then i talked to another one and she was not at all very welcoming or friendly and made me feel so shit.

i really need someone who actually knows what they’re talking about who will also be helpful too (bonus points if they’re friendly hehehe)

thank you

River

Hey @shannon_164

https://www.niconnections.com/

shannon_164

thank you @River - ni connections is more like a tourism type of thing & the ni careers service is where i’ve already tried several times and to be honest, my cat could give better advice lol but thank you anyways

River

@shannon_164 https://portal.careerconnect.org.uk/PageInfo.aspx?National-Careers-Service-i125.html

Sian321

Hey @shannon_164 , ah it sounds super tricky, and you've done a lot to hard-work already to try and find further support for yourself.

I've come across the following two options:

GEMS NI (Gateway to Choices/Belfast Works Connect)
Supports Belfast residents over 18 (many routes of entry). Provides CV help, interview prep, and specialist guidance with career advisors on hand .

EGSA Outreach Adult Careers Guidance
Free, 1‑1 or group guidance for adults, especially in socially disadvantaged areas or facing redundancy

Have you heard of / tried these before?

shannon_164

thank you @Sian321 - unfortunately i do not live in belfast or the neighbourhood renewal areas for the second suggestion. sorry:/