How do I become a...?

Your first step in getting into a particular job is to learn what that role actually involves. To help you decide and plan how you’re going to get into a specific job, look for information such as:

1. required skills and attributes
2. qualifications and training routes
3. main responsibilities and tasks
4. salary levels and likely locations
5. typical working environment, hours and conditions.

You can also explore other job roles that use similar skills and qualifications.

Researching this can help you make an informed decision about your career and help you plan your next steps.

There are a variety of ways to find this information from looking at job profiles, researching subject and sector information to talking to people who work in those careers

Read job profiles

Job profiles give you a breakdown of job roles, including required qualifications, training routes and salary levels. Start your research by looking at a profile relevant to the job you want. Take a look at Prospects who have job profiles by sector and A-Z.

Job profiles and the labour market can vary greatly depending on the country you live in. You’ll find salary and sector information that’s specific to each nation through the following sites.

• England - nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
• Northern Ireland - nidirect.gov.uk
• Republic of Ireland - gradireland.com
• Scotland - myworldofwork.co.uk
• Wales - careerswales.com

If you’re interested in jobs outside the UK, search for a national job profile site specific to where you live.

Find more sources of information on our Research the labour market page.

Get help from a Generative AI tool

You can use a Generative AI tool (such as Microsoft Copilot, which is included in your Open University Microsoft 365 account) to explore different career options. Gain insight into a career route by inputting a simple phrase such as ‘How to become a copywriter’.

Search real job descriptions by providing a command to get currently available roles such as ‘Find live copywriter roles in London’. These will give you a breakdown of the types of responsibilities required, essential versus desirable criteria, experience level expected, team structure and up-to-date salary information.

Note that AI tools can generate useful ideas, but they are not definitive career-matching systems. Use AI outputs as a starting point only and continue to reflect, research and think critically before making any career decisions.