«I had a difficult time, and not just because I couldn't find an apprenticeship»

I tell

"I wanted to do something artistic, so I looked for an apprenticeship as a graphic designer. But there aren't many of them in the canton of Graubünden. And I didn't want to move because of the apprenticeship. I saw the 10th school year as a stopgap solution, even my teachers said that only those who don't achieve anything go there. I had a difficult time, and not just because I couldn't find an apprenticeship. I decided to come out as transgender. Now I'm in therapy and outwardly no longer a girl.

I quickly felt at home at the vocational school in Chur. My new colleagues accept me for who I am. I've become much more open and communicative. Before, I only knew the community where I lived; at the school in Chur, I'm in contact with lots of people. I tried out jobs as a dental assistant, hairdresser, electronics technician, event organiser and as a salesman at an insurance company. I liked the commercial taster apprenticeship best, I got the apprenticeship and am looking forward to it. I cultivate my artistic side in my free time, I draw a lot, do graphic work on the computer, and I also like to rap and dance. If I still want to work creatively after my commercial apprenticeship, I'll see what opportunities are available. The career choice year was the right decision for me, I think it's really positive."

Read more about choosing a career:

• Step 1: Get to know your own interests and strengths
  Before young people can decide what training they want to pursue after secondary school, they need to answer a few basic questions about themselves. Not an easy task in the middle of puberty, which is already full of questions.
• Step 2: Get to know professions and training programmes
  Into an apprenticeship or continue at school? Many people ask themselves this question in upper secondary school. But the two paths are not mutually exclusive. An overview of the most important educational programmes.
• Step 3: Compare your own strengths with the requirements of professions and training programmes
  Every apprenticeship and every school has its own specific requirements. For young job seekers, this means that they should either work intensively on their skills or look for a less demanding apprenticeship.
• Step 4: Get to know interesting professions in a taster apprenticeship
  A taster apprenticeship, also known as a career choice internship, gives you a first impression of working life, a profession and the atmosphere in a potential training company. It is something like the ultimate reality check for young apprenticeship seekers.
• Step 5: Review possible professions and training courses and make a decision
  Careers counsellor Sigrid Weber knows the agony of choosing a career that many young people go through. Favourite subjects and hobbies are initial pointers to the right apprenticeship, a lot can be learned in trial apprenticeships - and sometimes even a coin toss helps, says the psychologist. When making a decision, however, the feeling has to be right above all.
• Step 6: Look for an apprenticeship or register with a school
  Once you have chosen the right profession, it's time to look for a suitable training organisation. Large or small, informal or formal, hierarchical or collegial? The more different types you get to know through taster sessions, the better you will know what suits you.
• Step 7: Prepare for an apprenticeship or school or clarify bridging programmes
  The tenth school year is seen as an emergency solution for those who have not found an apprenticeship. In reality, it is a useful educational programme to close gaps in schooling and other gaps or to help you make a decision about your career choice. Other bridging programmes help to gain valuable knowledge and set the course.