«My parents are very proud of me»

I tell

"I grew up in Iran, my family is from Afghanistan. I came to Switzerland five years ago. I went to secondary school in Iran, but had to drop out two years before graduating because my father could no longer afford the school fees.

In Switzerland, I first learnt German and was interested in training in the medical field. I could have done an apprenticeship as a pharmaceutical assistant, but I didn't think I could do it because of my German language skills. At a careers fair, I learnt about the two-year apprenticeship to become a health and social care assistant and met my current vocational trainer. After an internship at the Süssbach nursing home, I was able to start the apprenticeship, which I am completing this summer. I like the contact with old people, I enjoy listening to them.

At the beginning I had trouble understanding Swiss German, but I'm getting better at it now. I miss my parents, who live in Iran. The people in the care home help me to feel less alone. After my apprenticeship, I would like to work so that I can support myself. In two to three years, I would like to do an apprenticeship as a healthcare assistant. But my parents are already very proud of me."

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.