Youth worker

As a youth worker, you could:

• support young people, including carers and people at risk of offending
•  run projects that focus on issues like health, bullying, crime or drugs
•  design and organise activity programmes for young people
•  keep confidential records, manage budgets and apply for funding
•  work with other professionals, like social workers, teachers, probation officers and the police

• excellent verbal communication skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

With experience and further training, you could:

• become a team leader, project co-ordinator or service manager
•  specialise in an area like young people's mental health
•  work in youth policy and development of best practice
•  move into a related career and become a social worker, community development worker or counsellor