By MICHELE MITTEN
Leaving school? Not sure which way to go? Here are some options for school leavers.
Finishing high school can be a scary experience. Not everyone knows what they want to do next, however having a Year 12 certificate is not always enough these days to ensure a successful career. Further education doesn’t have to be just university. Diplomas, apprenticeships and traineeships are also other options to be considered.
Many people don’t know what they want to do when
they finish school.
If you’re not sure, that’s OK, as nothing is set in stone. Jobs are no longer for life and the average person makes a career change around five times during their working life. Be open-minded and willing to learn, as jobs change and our likes and dislikes are learned through trial and error.
Your marks don’t define your course or career choice.
Ask yourself why you want to do a course. Is it because you really have a passion for the end job, or is it because of the prestige associated with the job? Be as honest with yourself as possible.
There are different paths to get to the same result.
If you don’t get the results you hoped for, remember that there are different ways to getting to the same destination. While getting good grades gives you more immediate options, in the long term no-one will remember your marks. They don’t define you and what you will achieve in your career. You could work and then study a little later as a mature student, you could do a different course and transfer over to your desired course at a later date.
Choose the course for you.
It’s very easy to choose a course or place of study based on what your friends are choosing, or what your parents are choosing for you. It can be daunting going out into the world on your own after having had the security of friendships.
Going straight into work
Even if you go straight into a job, remember that there is normally further training at some stage. Starting at the bottom as a school leaver will certainly require training to get to the next level.
Having a gap year
Some students choose to defer their studies as they don’t know what they want to do. Others choose a gap year to de-stress from Year 12 exams and travel. Whatever your reasons, make the most of your gap year. Work experience, volunteering, travel and casual jobs all contribute to your future. Just remember that if you take a year off don’t think you will suddenly realise what you want to do.
