Getting There Is Part of the Progress when you are starting your journey towards employment and independence. Imagine getting your first interview. You have prepared your answers, chosen what to wear and finally found an opportunity that feels right. Then you look at the journey: two buses, an unfamiliar station or a train fare you are not sure you can afford.
For many young people aged 18–24, the challenge is not simply finding a job. It is working out how to get there consistently. That can feel intimidating if you have never travelled alone to a workplace, do not drive or have a limited budget.
But learning to manage the journey can become part of building your independence. You do not have to feel confident from day one. You need a sensible plan, realistic expectations and the willingness to practise.
1. Getting There Is Part of the Progress: Plan Your Journey
Before your interview or first shift, check where you need to go, which entrance to use and how much time the journey is likely to take. Look at public transport timetables, walking routes and service changes. If possible, try the route beforehand at roughly the same time of day.
Build in reasonable extra time for delays, but do not put yourself under pressure to arrive hours too early. Aim for a routine that you can actually sustain across the working week. Being organised the evening before can make mornings less stressful.
2. Budget for the journey, not just the job
A job might look appealing until you add up daily transport costs. Before accepting an offer, estimate a full week of travel and compare ticket types, weekly passes or eligible discounts. Consider travel time, shift patterns and what happens if your last bus does not run after a late shift.
Some young people receiving qualifying benefits may be entitled to the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card. Eligibility and ticket restrictions apply, so check the official conditions rather than assuming a discount is guaranteed.
If you receive Universal Credit and need help with costs connected to getting or starting work, you can ask your work coach about support with job expenses. The support depends on your circumstances and may cover some interview-related costs.
3. A delay does not mean you have failed
Buses get cancelled. Trains are delayed. Sometimes you take the wrong turning. A difficult commute does not automatically mean you are unreliable. What matters is how you respond when something goes wrong.
If you are going to be late, contact your employer as soon as it is safe and practical. Explain the situation briefly, give a realistic update and follow the workplace procedure. Afterwards, review whether an alternative route or earlier departure would help. Responsibility is about responding well, not pretending you can control public transport.
4. Being independent also means asking for support
Not everybody has the same travel options. Cost, disability, health needs, caring commitments and where you live can all affect which jobs are realistic. It is reasonable to discuss shift times, accessible routes or support needs with an employer rather than silently struggling.
Where a disability or health condition makes ordinary commuting difficult, Access to Work may offer eligible practical support, including certain additional travel costs. The support available depends on individual circumstances.
If travelling to a job feels overwhelming, begin with smaller practice journeys or travel with somebody you trust while you build familiarity. Independence can develop gradually.
5. The journey is practice for working life
There is something valuable about preparing your bag, checking your route, leaving on time and following through even when you feel nervous. These are practical habits that can support your confidence at work.
You learn to plan ahead, solve problems, communicate clearly and manage your time. Those skills can transfer into interviews, training, apprenticeships and future employment.
At IM MORE, the message is about recognising potential and building it through action. The journey to work may not be the glamorous part of starting your career, but it is a real part of the progress.
Your five-day journey confidence challenge
- Day 1 — Choose a real workplace, interview location or training venue and map out a route.
- Day 2 — Check travel costs, ticket options and whether you qualify for support.
- Day 3 — Plan what time you would need to leave, including a sensible buffer.
- Day 4 — If safe and affordable, practise part or all of the journey; otherwise review it carefully.
- Day 5 — Write your backup plan for delays and identify one improvement to your routine.
Final thought: showing up starts before you arrive
You might be excited about working but nervous about getting there. Both feelings can exist at the same time. You do not need to own a car, know every route or feel fearless to start building a working life.
Learn the journey. Ask for help where you need it. Make a realistic plan and improve it as you go. Getting there is not just travel — it is one of the practical steps towards becoming more confident, capable and independent.
IM MORE — Discover. Believe. Become.
