Post 18
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS POST YR 13?
There are a few different choices for students after they have finished Year 13 (Level 3 qualifications). For those without a particular career pathway in mind, there are likely to be some important decisions to make. These may set their career direction, future lifestyle and maybe determine whether they’ll stay living locally or not!
Go to University / FE College to do a Degree / Level 4 qualification
Level 3/4 Apprenticeship
Find employment
Gap Year followed by University or Work
As a Parent you can help by spending time with your child and listen to what they would like to do and help talk through the options of how to get there or find information as necessary.
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER TO CONSIDER
If they have a career idea in mind, have they researched all the possible entry routes carefully?
Is there a subject that interests them sufficiently to want to study it in depth at university level?
Are they ready to leave the familiarity of full-time education for the very different world of the workplace?
Have they researched the local employment scene for opportunities for entrants with their qualifications?
If they get a job (or go to uni) but continue to live at home for the next few years, have you as a family considered how that will work?
EMPLOYMENT
Could your son/daughter find a job? Or, more particularly, could they find a job with training and prospects? Do they know what sort of work they want? In the future, will they regret not going to university?
Although it might take time to find one, there are jobs with training and prospects. You may not be fully aware of the wide range of available Apprenticeships, which include Higher and Degree Apprenticeships leading to qualifications at higher education level. For information, see the websites below.
Some employers may offer training schemes with the opportunity to study part-time for further qualifications, such as those offered by professional bodies.
FURTHER STUDY - UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE
Depending on the career path your young person has the idea of university will be in the air. However, it can be easy to get carried along and apply for a degree without having thought it through properly.
You don’t have to go to university full-time to get a degree. It’s possible to gain qualifications to degree level and beyond by part-time study while working – perhaps through a Degree Apprenticeship.
University doesn’t just mean getting a degree. HNDs and foundation degrees are two-year, work-related courses that might be more suitable.
Student debt is obviously an issue, but students don’t have to pay the fees up-front. There may be more financial support than you realise.
Many students live at home while attending university. It will, however, be a different university experience. Attending university open days can be really valuable.
Staying in full-time education doesn’t necessarily mean university. There may be work-related courses of interest at a local further education college.
Here are some top tips on how you can become better prepared for those decisions that lay ahead at Post 18.
USE YOUR UNIFROG ACCOUNTS!
There is so much information on Unifrog that can help you it is well worth logging on and having a look.
Try exploring any ideas you may have using our Careers Platform Unifrog. Find out more about different roles if you have some in mind. Unifrog - https://www.unifrog.org/sign-in is always a good place to start. Find out what the job entails, how it might overlap with other roles. Take a look at universities if you are considering this route, as well as apprenticeships, and take some time to digest the information and reflect on what you have read.
Remember at this point you are not making a 'life decision’! You are just exploring and discovering!
NETWORKING AND CONNECTIONS FROM LINKEDIN
To find out more, try and network and chat to people who might already be in the work/sector you are considering. Connect with people through your LinkedIn accounts and if you don’t have one, consider setting one up here. And here is a guide on how to do this here
CHECK OUT WORK EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES
Try some work experience in different job areas during the holidays. This can be in person or virtual. There are some amazing free opportunities at Springpod or some 'In Real Life' work experiences. A selection of work experience opportunities can be found on our work experience page on the portal.
TAKE TIME TO REFLECT AND THINK ABOUT YOUR CHOICES
Do a bit of soul searching. In other words, examine and reflect on who you are – what are your strengths, passions, experiences, likes, dislikes, when are you feeling your best, who or what inspires you?
You can always take a gap year – you could benefit from this in many ways – perhaps experience charity work abroad, gain work experience in a few areas you might be considering – to get this you will need to be bold and ask! Or you might want to gain a new qualification or resit a subject in which you want to increase the grade.
TALK TO US FOR SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE
Finally, if you would like to talk further about your findings and next steps, do come and see the Careers Team in C103 (C-wing ground level) or email us on careers@skinnerskent.org.uk – We are good at listening and guiding!
