ITERAQ / YOUTH · Free roadmap

Your future, one step at a time

For young people under 18, including those returning to learning. Explore six directions and plan your next step towards age 25 and 30.

No name, email or birth date needed. Your choices stay on this page; the plan is not saved on our server.

Software and responsible AI

Software developer, data analyst, software tester

Skills to practise

Practise logic, spreadsheets, clear writing and basic programming. Learn to explain what a program does before using AI to improve it.

Your first project

Build a study timetable with made-up subjects. Ask two trusted people to try it; record three problems, fix them, and write a one-page explanation. A paper prototype is a valid first version.

Education and training

Compare a computing degree, vocational course and recognised apprenticeship. Check mathematics requirements, fees and the portfolio expected. Certificates alone do not demonstrate practical ability.

A possible goal at 25

Aim to explain three completed projects and be progressing in education, an apprenticeship or a junior role. A later start is also valid.

A possible goal at 30

Choose a technical speciality or a role combining technology and another subject. Keep a learning budget and review whether you still enjoy the work.

What to watch for

Use invented data. Do not upload private school records to AI tools. Check outputs, cite help received and practise on systems you own or are authorised to use.

Green energy and practical engineering

Renewable-energy technician, electrical technician, energy engineer

Skills to practise

Build numeracy, measurement, physics and technical drawing. Learn the difference between energy used and power at one moment.

Your first project

Use appliance labels, without opening equipment, to compare the estimated energy use of three devices. Calculate watts × hours ÷ 1000, state your assumptions and propose a safe improvement.

Education and training

Investigate accredited technical education, supervised apprenticeships and engineering degrees. Ask which local qualifications and safety supervision are required.

A possible goal at 25

Build a record of supervised practical work and recognised training. Learn to document a repair or an energy calculation clearly.

A possible goal at 30

Explore a speciality such as building efficiency, maintenance or grid systems. Teaching safe methods can be as valuable as managing a team.

What to watch for

Never work on mains electricity, batteries, roofs or machinery without suitable professional supervision. This project is observation and calculation only.

Health, care and human support

Nurse, care professional, rehabilitation specialist

Skills to practise

Develop biology, listening, clear communication and respect for privacy. Learn what different professionals are trained to do.

Your first project

Create a fictional accessible waiting-room layout on paper. Ask a trusted adult about clarity, seating and signs; improve it without collecting patient information.

Education and training

Read the official entry and registration requirements for the profession in your country. Many roles require recognised qualifications and supervised clinical training.

A possible goal at 25

Progress through the relevant training and supervised experience; practise respectful teamwork. Your route may take longer depending on the profession.

A possible goal at 30

Consider specialist practice, service improvement or mentoring. Keep continuing education and personal wellbeing in the plan.

What to watch for

Do not diagnose, prescribe, practise medical procedures or handle patient records. Keep all exercises fictional; seek qualified help for health concerns.

Teaching, languages and learning design

Teacher, language educator, learning designer

Skills to practise

Practise reading, explaining, listening and presentation. Learn how to check whether an explanation helped rather than merely repeating it.

Your first project

Choose a school topic you understand. Prepare a five-minute lesson, two practice questions and an answer key. Try it with a trusted person and revise one confusing step.

Education and training

Compare teacher education, subject qualifications and vocational training routes. Formal teaching and work with children may require local registration and safeguarding checks.

A possible goal at 25

Keep a portfolio of lessons with feedback and be progressing toward appropriate training or a junior learning-support role.

A possible goal at 30

Explore a subject speciality, curriculum design or mentoring. Adapt materials for different languages and accessibility needs.

What to watch for

Use an approved school or family setting. Never arrange private meetings with unknown adults or publish another child’s name, photograph or work without the appropriate permission.

Design and digital communication

Product designer, communication designer, accessible-content specialist

Skills to practise

Practise observation, drawing, writing and basic digital design. Explain why a design helps a particular person do a task.

Your first project

Redesign a fictional community-event poster. Make date, location and cost easy to find. Create two versions, ask two trusted reviewers which is clearer and record why.

Education and training

Compare design courses, apprenticeships and portfolio routes. Check what employers ask for locally; learning one tool is not the same as learning design.

A possible goal at 25

Aim for a small portfolio showing the problem, alternatives, feedback and final result. Include accessible designs and honest credits.

A possible goal at 30

Develop a speciality or combine design with education, health or a technical field. Revisit how AI changes tasks without assuming it removes the need for judgement.

What to watch for

Use your own work or properly licensed assets. Avoid exposing personal information, using deceptive advertising or promising results the product cannot provide.

Operations and responsible enterprise

Operations coordinator, supply-chain analyst, small-business owner

Skills to practise

Learn spreadsheets, budgeting, customer interviews, teamwork and basic record keeping. Separate revenue from profit.

Your first project

Plan a fictional repair-library service. List who needs it, how items move, three likely costs and a small experiment. Use imaginary money and do not take payments.

Education and training

Compare business education, logistics training and supervised entry-level work. Learn employment and business requirements from official local sources before real trading.

A possible goal at 25

Build experience completing a project reliably, explaining its costs and working with customers or colleagues. A business is one option, not a requirement.

A possible goal at 30

Consider a specialist operations role, team responsibility or an enterprise with tested demand. Keep a fallback route and avoid unaffordable debt.

What to watch for

This is not investment advice. Do not borrow, trade cryptocurrency, sign contracts or sell services as part of this exercise. Any real activity by a minor needs appropriate adult and local guidance.

Your next 90 days

Days 1–7: choose a small project and agree a safe setting with a trusted adult.
Days 8–30: complete a first version; write what you learned and what was difficult.
Days 31–60: get feedback and compare two local training routes using official entry requirements.
Days 61–90: improve your project, save evidence of your work and decide whether to continue or try another direction.

If you are outside school, start with reading, basic maths and a trusted local education or youth service. Ask about re-entry, equivalency and recognised vocational options. A short online course is not automatically a school qualification.

10, 20 and 50 years ahead

Use long horizons for possibilities, not forecasts. Recheck your plan every year: what changed in technology, society, your interests and access to education? Over 10 years, build useful skills; over 20 years, allow a change of direction; over 50 years, keep learning and health central.

Educational suggestions, not a promise of a job, income or a particular future. Adapt the plan with a trusted adult, teacher or qualified career adviser. Ages are review points, not deadlines.

PDF · EN / TR / SV

Optional workbook for a parent or guardian

£15 GBP once. Detailed exercises, project briefs, worksheets and planning pages in English, Turkish and Swedish PDFs. The free roadmap stays available without purchase.

View the £15 workbook

£15GBP

Research and reading

OECD’s 2025 report describes widespread uncertainty about careers among teenagers. Our practical response is to compare real training routes and try small projects rather than force an early permanent choice. [1]

The World Economic Forum’s 2025 employer survey identifies technology, green change and demographic shifts as influences on work to 2030. It is an employer outlook, not a reliable prediction of one young person’s career. The six areas here are exploratory choices, not a ranking or promise. [2]

UNICEF’s Learning Passport supports continuing learning and routes into education. Availability and local recognition vary; check the relevant local programme. [3]

In his Stanford speech, Steve Jobs described curiosity and connecting learning across subjects. Our takeaway is to try a small project across two interests. His personal story is not evidence that leaving school improves outcomes. [4]

Malala’s account describes her advocacy for education and later completion of university studies. Our takeaway is to protect the right to learn and seek support when access is interrupted. A young person does not need fame to make a useful contribution. [5]

Research informs the questions; the projects and roadmaps are original ITERAQ exercises. The sources do not endorse this product.