It’s Okay Not to Have It All Figured Out
It’s never too early to start thinking about your career. And you’re currently looking for what you want to do after GCSE to help you get your foot on the ladder. There are numerous avenues you can take. There isn’t just one route open to you these days. You don’t need to stay at your school; you don’t always need to remain in full-time education. The school-to-university pipeline isn’t your only option if that’s not for you. And now as you enter your GCSE year, is the ideal time to put the groundwork in for your future to get precisely where you need to be.
Let’s take a look at what might suit you.
Sixth Form Colleges: A Stepping Stone Between School and reaching Adulthood
A standalone sixth form college can often be the perfect compromise for many students. For those who don’t want to stay at school but still want to continue their education and gain academic qualifications.
It’s more like a transition move: you get to branch out beyond school, meet new people, have new experiences, and still gain genuine qualifications for multiple post-college avenues. These types of colleges are designed solely for people in your age group and, for the most part, offer something different from what staying in your high school sixth form can offer.
Apprenticeships and Earn While You Learn Opportunities
If staying in full-time education isn’t on the cards or enticing for you, then moving right to an apprenticeship is a viable choice. Modern apprenticeships are available in a wealth of sectors. They are not just limited to trades; you can choose a role in technology, finance, healthcare, marketing, health and beauty, for example.
The benefits of this are that you still earn a qualification, gain real-world experience, develop practical skills, gain workplace experience with others, and get paid. There will still be a need for formal training, and it might involve a day or two of college coursework each week alongside work. Still, if you’re after early independence and a more hands-on training experience, it’s absolutely worth considering.
Part-Time Work: Gaining Experience Alongside Education
It’s essential to remember you cannot walk out of school at 16 and into a job role in all areas of the UK. This might be possible in some places, but in England, you need to be in education until you reach 18. However, part-time jobs are a great way to get work experience alongside other education options. You might find that heading to college part-time is right for you, and you work around your classes to gain the experience you need. Or you might want to choose roles that support your education and further training, and help you determine whether this is the proper role for you.
Mixing Pathways: There’s No One ‘Right’ Route
The most important thing to remember is you don’t need your career path locked down before you leave school. You can change your mind, change it back again and pivot down the line. Committing to something now doesn’t mean that’s it forever, unless you love it.
You can stay at your school’s sixth form until you reach 18 and then take on an apprenticeship if you wish. You can head to university as an older student, or move into full-time work and take your time to find out what you want before going to university as a mature student.
There’s no linear route you have to take; you don’t need to go to sixth form, college, or university. You can mix things up, take your time, learn as much as you want, and then take it from there.