Choices at 14
At 14 your choices are limited to what subjects or courses you would like to study and it is likely that most of your time will be spent in school. However there may be some other opportunities - for example you may be able to go to college part-time, begin an apprenticeship or have an extended work-experience placement. You may have the option to choose an applied course like Health & Social Care or Engineering and of course you can choose your GCSE options. But most important of all you have the chance to make a new start and be positive about your future so you need to:
- Talk to people who can help you like your careers adviser, your tutor and your parents or carer
- Find out as much as you can about yourself, what you like, what interests you and what you’re good at
- Find out as much as you can about the courses you are thinking of choosing including how you will learn and be assessed and how successful previous learners have been
- Think ahead what is your ultimate goal and what are the possible pathways you can take
- Think next steps and you will need to have studied and achieved to progress
Choices at 16
The choices you make at 16 are even more important than those you make at 14 because they may require you to move to another provider like a college or training provider. You also need to be clear about what your ultimate career options might be and what kind of progression pathway is best for you. If you are thinking of following an applied or vocational pathway take a look at 14-19 Pathways for progression If you are thinking of an academic course or programme find out as much as you can about the courses that are offered by providers. Courses with the same or similar titles can be very different in content and assessment so make sure you know what your choices are. As well as the things you need to do before making choices at 14 you also need to:
- Talk to learners who are already on the progression pathway you want to choose
- Find out about the success rates of previous learners
- Find out what progression opportunities there are when you have completed the course or programme
- Find out what kind of a social and cultural experience the provider offers and how well it meets your non-education and training needs
Choices at 17
At 17 you may need to decide whether or not to stay in education or training or leave and enter employment. Even if you decide to continue in education or training you may want to change the progression pathway you are on. If you do feel that you need to change, make sure you research your options thoroughly first. You may have made choices at 16 that in hindsight were not right for you. This happens to lots of people and there is nothing wrong with changing direction as long as it is for the right reasons. Some people simply need a change from full-time education or training and want to get a job. That’s fine too as long as you remember that most of us change jobs or careers several times in our working life and we need to make sure that we have the skills that potential employers are looking for, so part-time study or training alongside employment may be an option. Before you change direction at 17 make sure you:
- Talk to your tutor or supervisor and test out your reasons for the decision you think you are about to make
- Talk to a careers adviser about the options available to you
- Find out as much as you can about whatever it is you are going to do next
Choices at 18
For many people the choice at 18 is whether or not to go on to higher education or seek employment. If you choose to go to Uni or on to a higher education course at college you need to find out as much as you can about the course options available – there will probably be a huge choice even within the same subject area and they can vary in length and type. For example sandwich courses include a work-placement year where you work in a company or business related to your course of study. Find out as much as you can about the provider, its reputation and its location. If you have been progressing on a work-based learning pathway such as advanced apprenticeship, be aware that there are established progression pathways to degree level and beyond so don’t think that full-time employment is the only option. If you are concerned about fees and other costs there are some good sources of information and advice such as the Aimhigher Humber Resources Portal
Choices at 19+
For adults who may have been out of full-time education for some time there are several choices, which are related to career progression and lifestyle. These range from professional training courses leading to qualifications that may enhance current or new career opportunities, to full or part-time education or training. Alternatively you may be looking for personal learning opportunities that allow you to develop new skills and to learn alongside people with similar interests. Which ever reason or combination of reasons you will need information on options, costs and time commitment before you make a decision. [Need help to get started?]