What Options Are Available Once You've Left School

Disclosure - this is a collaborative post

Leaving school can be a very daunting experience. It's crazy to think at the age of just 16 we are expected to fully understand what we want to be when we grow up. Secondary school will try and prepare you as much as they can before you sit your GCSE's by offering work experience opportunities and career days so you can see and discuss the options available to you. Also local schools and colleges will offer open days and evenings so you can visit if higher education is a possibility for you. There you will be able to see what courses are available and whether it's the right setting for you. There are however lots of options available other than sixth form and college and it's important to look at all the options available once you've left school before you decide. 

Sixth Form

If you are looking to stay in higher education then Sixth form is usually the first choice for most. It will allow you to stay on in your school so you will already be familiar with the setting and teachers and can make the transition to higher education a little easier. Sixth Form offers you the chance to take your A Levels in subjects that you are most interested in. 

College

If Sixth Form isn't an option for you then college is a great choice when you leave school at 16. It's the perfect setting to discover new interests and a wider choice of courses to choose from. College can specialise in different qualifications such as NVQ's, City of Guilds, BTECS and also A Levels.

University

If you have chosen higher education such as sixth form or college the next step for you would be University. This gives you the opportunity to learn and develop more in your chosen career field with the chance of gaining a degree in the end. In order to access your preferred course you can request a prospectus from each university you are interested in. The prospectus will tell you not only about the university but also the requirements to be accepted on the course of your choice. 

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships are a job with pay, training and the chance to gain professionally relevant qualifications. They have become a popular choice in recent years and can be a route into high-skilled professions such as civil engineer, solicitor, scientist and nurse.

Vocational Qualification

Different qualifications such as BTEC, NVQ, OCR Cambridge National or Diploma are intended to provide more of a hands on practical experience than A-levels, with students going into the workplace.

Take A Gap Year

For some thinking about a career can be a little daunting at the age of 16 so taking a gap year while you decide what you want to do can be good for some. Taking a year out can give you the chance to decide which route you want to take whether it's higher education or getting a job. 

Apply For A Job

If you are not ready to attend higher education, getting a job is a great way to gain some experience and earn a wage whilst doing it. It may spark up an interest that you had not thought about before. Some roles also have the option to gain qualifications specific to that role offering you the chance to gain more knowledge and experience while you work and learn. 

International Internship

Some of us know even before leaving school that we would like to travel or get a job abroad. Obviously it isn't as easy as it sounds but with research and planning it can be done. There are a wide range of internships abroad such as Internationals Internships Tokyo. It's the perfect way to develop in your chosen career and they usually offer a wide range of industries such as technology, business and fashion. International internships can give you a clear insight to working abroad and they usually range from 1-6 months. 

If you have left school and are unsure what to do remember there really is no rush. This is probably the biggest decision you will ever make. All of the different options are there and ready to be explored when you are ready to make the choice.

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Michelle