Finishing compulsory education is a huge milestone for any young person. At this point, you’ll be faced with a choice that will shape the next chapter of your life – so it’s not one to be taken lightly. Parents and teachers will be there to guide you through this unsettling transition, but ultimately, the choice is yours. Understanding your options is the first step to deciding what to do after school. In this quick guide, we explore three of the most popular post-school endeavours to help you narrow down your options.
Gap year
For young people looking for a break from classrooms and coursework, a gap year is an appealing option. Lots of secondary school graduates use this year as a time to satisfy their wanderlust, exploring different parts of the world without the stresses or pressures of being in full-time work or education. Of course, a gap year doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend the time travelling the world, but it remains one of the most popular pursuits.
You may think that a year out will put your career prospects at risk, and essentially set you back a year behind those who have carried on in education or entered the workforce. However, there are lots of activities you can do during this time off that could actually boost your employability, from finding work or studying abroad and picking up a new language to volunteering for a cause close to your heart. This is also a great opportunity to develop some soft skills that are in demand by employers, such as communication, collaboration and adaptability.
Higher education
For many young people, the natural course of action is to stay in education to further boost their professional prospects and to gain valuable life experience. Going to sixth form/college and university offers you the chance to hone your skills in a more focused way on a topic that interests you most. Outside of the lecture halls, living away from home encourages you to become more independent, and this life experience will stand you in good stead as you look to find your way in the professional world.
Of course, the university experience comes at a huge cost – one that you’ll be paying off for the majority of your career. And, depending on your long-term plan, gaining a university degree may not be the best use of your time and resources. You don’t have to have your journey all figured out at this point, but having a rough idea of what you want to do in your career will help shape your decision on whether or not university is the right path for you.
Employment
If you’re not drawn to the idea of a year out, and staying in education is the last thing on your mind, looking to enter the workforce is another option. Having spent most of your young life in education, it’s understandable that you might want to start applying the knowledge you’ve learned in a professional setting while (perhaps more importantly) earning some money in the process.
Unlike with a gap year, or even university to some extent, finding a job isn’t guaranteed to happen in a set timeframe. Even if you start applying before finishing your exams, you may not find a suitable role straight away, but that’s okay. Make sure your CV and cover letters are in good shape, and consider speaking to your teachers for advice if you aren’t sure exactly what you want to do.
Taking the next step
These are just three of the many things you can do after finishing your school studies. It’s worth keeping in mind that maybe a combination of different options could best align with your long-term goals, and this is a common course of action for lots of young people. For example, perhaps you want the university experience but also like the idea of earning money, in which case you might find that a degree apprenticeship ticks all the boxes. Once you’ve carefully considered all your options, you’ll be left to make a more informed decision at this important stage of your life.
