You're coming to the end of school - what now?

So you’re coming to the end of your school life? If you’re 18 years old then you’ve spent around 13 years of your life in school. That’s about 2470 days of your life in fulltime education. So what now?

If all you know up until now is school, this can be a very exciting time for you with new opportunities around the corner.

Whatever decision you make, it’s going to be a big one and we want to make sure you’ve thought about all of the options available to you. My role at BPS World is the Learning and Development Manager and I spend most of my days speaking to young people, what motivates me is to see raw talent maximise their potential. A key part of my role is to stay up to date with the different career options available to school leavers whether it’s College, University or an Apprenticeship, there are a lot of interesting choices out there. For example, did you know you can get an apprenticeship in fishing, clay modelling and even as a chocolatier? Link

Some of the options include getting a job, going to university, taking a gap year and applying for an apprenticeship. But which one’s right for you?

My advice? The thing you have to remember is, you’re not alone. Throughout all of this, you have different people you can talk to for advice. Set yourself a goal and make use of the support available to you to ensure you get there. What do you enjoy doing? Do you enjoy talking to people? If you do, sales might be the right path for you. Think about your strengths and link it to a career. Use your network for advice, have you had any peers that followed the route you’re considering? Did it work for them? Gain insight from their experiences, what lessons can you learn from it?

Every person is unique, your career path won’t be a straight line, explore all the different options. Once you’ve discovered what you’re interested in and what your personal strengths are, leave no stone unturned. Do your research, review feedback and again use your network to help you make the right decision. Create a detailed CV including all part-time jobs you’ve held. Keep it up to date, develop a LinkedIn profile and register your details with agencies providing career advice or job opportunities and just keep your options open.

These days, people create video CVs and practice their interview techniques in the mirror. Effective communication skills are a must regardless of your chosen path. Successful people are organised and can always meet deadlines.

When considering your options, there are quite a few myths to be aware of. Here are just a few based on the most popular options to consider:

Myth: University degrees are needed for most jobs
Truth: 59% of graduates are in non-graduate level jobs

Myth: Apprenticeships are just for Tradespeople
Truth: Apprenticeships have been revolutionised in the 21^st century offering you earn as you learn options within pharmaceuticals, recruitment and finance.

Myth:Taking a year out will decrease your chances of being accepted into University
Truth: If you get accepted into a University, you can request a 'deferred entry' giving you the option to just delay it for a year. link

It may feel like a stressful time in your life but it really is the most exciting time of your life. This is your opportunity to start shaping your career and deciding on what stepping stones will be the start of you developing and achieving your dreams. You’re in control of your own destiny and results day is the beginning of this exciting journey you take yourself on. Whatever you decide, you will never stop learning and developing yourself.

So if you’ve received your results already or you’re waiting for the 18th or 25th Aug, I hope you get what you need to secure the future you want. If you need any help or need impartial, friendly advice feel free to contact me on my details below.. 

Here wishing you a bright future ahead!

Marianne Hatcher, L&D Manager
01628 857340
marianne.hatcher@bps-world.com