«There is still a lot to learn»

I tell

"Although my parents have a farm with horses and drive carriages, I didn't think about becoming a farrier for a long time. I wanted to be a carpenter. My teacher then told me to try out other professions. My parents gave me the idea of enquiring at the company that shoes their horses. This taster apprenticeship convinced me even more than the one as a carpenter.

I like the close contact with the horses. We let the horse trot in front of us and look at its gait. This allows us to decide how the horseshoe should be made, as this determines how the horse performs. The animals tend to be anxious when I shoe them, so it's important that I can reassure them. I also like the contact with the owners, I enjoy being around people. As we look after the horses at the customers' premises, I spend a lot of time travelling. Farriery sounds like a very specialised profession. But when you think about how many horses there are in Switzerland and that they all need their hooves trimmed regularly, you can imagine how much work there is for farriers. I would like to have my own business one day. But before that, I need to deepen my theory of correct shoeing. There's still a lot to learn."

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.