While you’ve been busy studying away, getting ready for your exams and growing stressed about the marks, another really important change is just around the corner and it will require you to make some very important decisions about your life after thirteen years of school finally come to an end. It’s the rest of your life knocking on your door and you have to decide where to head next. You have to find out what is best for you, what your interests are, where your priorities stand and what you want to accomplish. It’s not an easy decision so don’t feel the need to rush. The key is to do your research and choose from an informed standing point.
GOING TO UNI
For some careers, you’ll only be able to pursue them with a university degree. It’s not all about vocational learning, though; the university experience is about expanding your mind, learning new viewpoints, discovering theories and learning to think for yourself. The environment is one where you’ll constantly be challenging and questioning your perceptions and enjoying gaining expertise within the field you’re most passionate about. Not only will you learn within your studies but you will grow as a person as you engage in all that university has to offer – it’s a good balance of acquiring knowledge and having a great time.
University graduates generally have higher employment rates, so a degree can open many doors for you. Other than that, the general starting salaries of university graduates are higher than those of people with no formal qualification, so you’ll be starting out on a better foot.
TAFE
TAFE (Technical and Further Education) courses are designed and structured completely differently to university degrees because they are more job-specific and therefore, practical. There is a wide range of courses with international accreditations and while they specialise in trades, the list has extended into hospitality, beauty, design and just about everything under the sun.
A TAFE qualification can also be a great pathway into uni ifyou decide to take a year off after HSC or your ATAR doesn’t get you into your preferred course straight away. The knowledge you acquire through the TAFE course can even count as credit towards your degree, so you might not have to do some subjects if you’ve already done them at TAFE, or you might be transferred directly into second year at uni.
APPRENTICESHIP
Doing an apprenticeship means that you can study and work at the same time, so you’ll be able to support yourself financially through your studies by already holding a position in the field you wish to pursue. By signing a contract with an employer through the apprenticeship, they’ll even pay for part of your course so you’ll be accumulating experience and learning at a fraction of the cost. Apprenticeships are often related to the trades and other practical careers that give you the freedom and flexibility of learning on the job.
PRIVATE COLLEGES
Private education offers the flexibility of hours and course duration that not many tertiary institutions have. They generally don’t require an ATAR qualification as part of the entry process and are very industry-focused, with some even incorporating work experience or an internship as part of your study. For some courses, a guaranteed position upon graduation may be part of the package and if you’re planning on going to university, these qualifications can be great stepping stones, with some content counting as course credit.
GET A JOB
You might have had enough after thirteen years of school and decided to start working instead. Starting at the bottom and building yourself up through practical experience can give you great expertise if you choose to build a career. Many of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs made their mark without tertiary qualifications so don’t be discouraged because there is a great deal you can potentially achieve. Get together a resume and begin your job search.
TAKE A GAP YEAR
Taking some time off to ‘recharge your battery’ through a ‘GapYear’ (doesn’t have to be twelve months – it could be three or six) can be a great idea. People taking one generally do so to work, travel or volunteer (sometimes all three) and engage in some experiences that will help them move onto the next stage of their lives. Travelling and working overseas can be a great asset to your resume because employers recognise experiences that have made you grow as a person or given you the chance to appreciate different perspectives. A break from books might put things into perspective and maybe even help you discover what really drives you.
Want more? Find out here: http://www.careerfaqs.com.au/secondary-student-news/1261/Now-what-Life-after-high-school
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