Advice for parents/carers of children making GCSE subject choices
Date published:

As well as the support from careers teachers in schools, careers advisers from the Department for the Economy’s Careers Service provide careers information, advice and guidance about GCSE subject choices. This help is normally delivered through class talks, group work and individual interviews. However, things will be a bit different again this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is important for students and parents / carers to be aware that careers advisers are still available to provide support.
To contact a professionally qualified careers adviser for free impartial advice and guidance you can:
- go online and chat with an adviser
- telephone: 0300 200 7820
- email Careers Service by completing the online form at Ask Careers
Parental support
Your support as a parent/ carer is vital when your child is choosing their subjects. Your support will help them make the right choices to reach their full potential.
Try considering the following with them:
• subjects they enjoy
• subjects they are good at or find challenging
• subjects that can link into careers ideas
• how they like to learn (coursework, exams or both)
• hobbies/ interests they enjoy
• the type of job they would like to do and what qualifications are required
• researching jobs through the Careers Service website
• talking to the careers adviser
• talking to subject teachers
Subject choices video and quiz
For more information, and to watch the Subject Choices video and take the quiz, go to:
More useful links
- Careers Service - nidirect
- Helping Young People with Career Choices
- Young Person's Guide / Parental Guide
- Skills in Demand
Social media
Follow the Careers Service on:
- Twitter - @economy_ni
- Facebook - @SkillstoSucceedni
- Instagram - @Economy_NI
- LinkedIn - Department for the Economy NI
Careers Service privacy notice
See how the Careers Service handles personal information at this link: