Like many other young people Aneesah Kouser is keeping her options open before settling down to a fully-fledged career.

The 17-year-old Oldham student has just switched from child care to business administration. But with youth on her side and a fierce determination to work, she is sure to succeed in whatever she chooses.

Aneesah Kouser

Based some fifteen minutes’ walk away from our Union Street training centre in the Clarksfield neighbourhood, Aneesah has a very important driver to land work, soon. Over a year ago her dad lost his sight due to illness which put pay to his job as a cabbie. Although her fantastic family has pitched in with support, Aneesah admits: “We used to get everything we needed but it’s different now. I only get £9 per week bursary so it can be tough.”

As well as building-up her confidence, Rathbone has been helping Aneesah to gain some financial acumen. The former North Manchester High school for Girls student now has her own bank account. “We weren’t taught anything about banking at school but it is important for young people to have an account so that wages and bursaries can be paid in” she revealed, “when I went to my building society, the staff was really friendly.”

When it comes to career turn-offs, Aneesah rates retail as her nightmare job! “It’s dead boring” she says, “and I’d be worried that I wouldn’t do it well. Even if you have a few financial problems it’s important to get a job you enjoy.”

Rathbone spokesperson Peter Gibson said: “There’s nothing wrong in changing career and some of our country’s most successful people have moved from one profession to another, discovering an aptitude for something by accident or through sheer desperation!”