You might think I am exaggerating when I say “I yawn every time someone mentions the word University to me” but in all honesty, I’m not. At the end of my secondary school life, I decided that I wasn’t ready for the full time working world yet and chose to take my career plan to Sixth Form, or High School or College for those outside of the UK and studied Information Technology, Business Studies and Media Studies all for 2 years. During these 2 years, life was very busy. I had to take everyday as it was and everyday of the 5 day school week, the word “University” was mentioned to me practically in every subject I took. You can probably tell I got to the point where I yawned and became bored of the 10 letter long word.
In July last year, I was taken on 2 University visits – one to Edinburgh and one to Northumbria, located in the heart of my home town, Newcastle. The Edinburgh visit taught me a lot of things. I taught me that there was life and opportunities outside of Newcastle & the North East as well as how tough yet rewarding student life is as an adult. However, if you’re like me and a bit wary when it comes to money – especially in the thousands, you know University is a big gamble.
“Starting my Life in Debt”
Until recently, I thought “Oh great, I’ll be going to University next year and will start my life in debt”. I took the time out of my study time to talk to various people, namely some advisers from Connexions North East. Through these talks, I found that I have a few options I could take. As I want to work in the Technology industry, I could apply for a full time job or go to college and study a sub-topic within IT. I could also put the two together in something that is called an Apprenticeship.
An Apprenticeship allows me to work, usually paid but some are unpaid, in a local business listed under my selected category. Towards the end of my Apprenticeship, the business can decide to offer me a job doing the same things I’ve been doing during my stay there or I can leave and find another job, with the extra NVQ qualifications I’ve picked up from the Apprenticeship, which is pretty good and allows you to not worry about living situations as you’re working for your own living.
If you are at the point now where you are coming to the end of your College or Sixth Form course(s) and have decided you don’t want to travel or go to University, you may see that an Apprenticeship for you is the right decision. I asked you via Twitter what you’re looking to do after Sixth Form and College. 35% are heading off to college, 21% are either heading into full time employment or are going to be unemployed, 14% are going to an internship or an apprenticeship whilst the remaining 7% are undecided of what they are going to proceed in after their college years.
Good Luck with whatever you decide to do in life!
[Photo: scubasteveo]
About Jonny Rowntree
Jonny Rowntree is an 17 year old blogger sharing the tricks of the blogging trade on JonnyRowntree.com and interviewing entrepreneurs who are going to change Startups & Silicon Valley. Follow me on Twitter →