5 challenges to give your career a boost

Everyone loves a challenge. Well, why not give your career a head start at the same time?

There are plenty of challenges out there designed to boost your CV, helping you develop skills employers love to see in candidates. We’ve listed 5 of our faves to get you started – you might even get a taste of what you want to do with your career.

'Check out these 5 fun challenges that will boost your CV'

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1. National Citizen Service

The National Citizen Service is specially designed to boost your skills – while giving you a fab time! You’ll do an outdoor adventure, a skills course tailored to a specific career path, and come up with an innovative new way to help your community (that means work experience brownie points). You can choose from the three to four week summer programme or 11 days in the autumn, and programmes run in London, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, West Midlands, the North West and Yorkshire.

Skills you’ll develop: Confidence, teamwork, people skills, communication, technical skills

For you if: You’re aged 15-17

Cost: £50, with help available

Find out more at http://www.ncsthechallenge.org/

Take a look at this video to see what it's like:

2. Duke of Edinburgh

You’ve probably heard of the Duke of Edinburgh award (DofE). It’s a really popular challenge taken by young people aged 14-24 all over the country. It’s made up of three levels – bronze, silver and gold – and gets more challenging as you progress. You’ll do four modules: volunteering, physical, skills and expedition, as well as a fifth residential module at gold level. The DofE is probably best known for the expedition – where you’ll plan an excursion of between one and three nights depending on your level. To take part, you need to find your nearest centre, which could be a school or youth club near you. You can do this on the DofE website or ask your form tutor or a teacher at school.

Skills you’ll develop: Leadership, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, technical skills

For you if: You’re aged 14+

Cost: £20-37 participation fee, plus costs charged by your centre

Find out more at https://www.dofe.org/

Check out this video to learn more about DofE and to see if it could be for you:

3. Young Rewired State

Young Rewired State is a worldwide hackathon for young people that takes place in the UK. It’s a week-long event when young coding gurus get together to come up with software solutions to real-world problems. From Monday to Friday, you’ll meet with young people at a local centre to find your problem and build your tech awesomeness. At the weekend, you’ll travel to a national venue to present your project to parents, mentors, the press – and a panel of judges.

Skills you’ll develop: Problem-solving, lateral thinking, programming

For you if: You have some coding experience

Cost: Free

Find out more at http://yrs.io/

Check out this video from YRS 2015 to see if it's your thing:

4. Young Enterprise

Think you could do better than the guys on The Apprentice? Young Enterprise (YE) programmes are designed to take you from a budding entrepreneur to a business guru. Got the next big idea? The Company Programme is your chance to found your own business, doing everything from designing the logo to managing the money – all with the help of an expert advisor from the business world. You’ll even get the chance to represent your company in local and national YE competitions. Your business could really take off – and even if it doesn’t, you’ll gain workplace skills graduates don’t have!

Skills you’ll develop: Leadership, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, initiative, presentation

For you if: You’re aged 11-18

Cost: Free

Find out more at https://www.young-enterprise.org.uk/

5. BBC School Report

Are you the next Fiona Bruce or Huw Edwards? Or maybe you prefer to direct, research or shoot film. Whether you like to be in the limelight or behind the scenes, BBC School Report is your chance to make the news. You and your friends will plan and produce your own news feature to go on your school’s website – ready to be linked up to the School Report map on the BBC website. You won’t be thrown in at the deep end (unless you want to be!) – the BBC has plenty of resources to get you started with your teacher’s help. School Report takes place every March on News Day. It’s a great opportunity if you’re considering a career in journalism or the media – but will also give you loads of skills that will look good on your CV whatever career path you pursue.

Skills you’ll develop: Presentation, research, initiative, technical skills

For you if: You’re 11-16 and want a taste of journalism

Cost: Free

Find out more at http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport/16223788

If you want to boost your skills out of school and like the sound of a challenge, check out these 7 ways extracurricular activities can give your career a leg up.

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Lead image via Pixabay