Tag: distance learning

8 Alternatives to University

Go to school. Pass some exams. Attend university. Pass more exams. Then walk into the job of your dreams.

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? And, for some people, it is. But for many others, life doesn’t turn out like that.

Not everyone is suited to higher education and studying for a degree. Many people don’t enjoy the environment, while others struggle with the pressure of meeting deadlines and studying for exams. Some students pick the wrong course and there are people who just want to be out in the world making some money. There are also those who fail to meet the entry requirements.

Fortunately, for most professions there is more than one entry path. So, for anyone not keen on going straight from school to university, here are some different routes to reaching your chosen career destination.

Work Based Learning

The best of both worlds. You work, earning money and gaining valuable experience, while studying for a qualification.

Examples include modern apprenticeships and professional awards in areas such as accounting, human resources or training and development.

Full-Time Job

School is enough to put people off education for life. By the time they’re 16, they want to get out into the world and start making some money.

And for some roles, particularly at entry level, that’s fine. Learning is on-the-job, with not a test or certificate in sight.

Gap Year

Not everyone has their full working life mapped out in front of them. Some people need more time to decide what is best for them.

Taking a year out to travel, work casual jobs and (hopefully) work out what’s next can be hugely beneficial.

Mature Study

There’s nothing to stop you studying for a degree, or any other qualification, in your 20s, 30s or even later.

Due to their work and life experiences, older students often find it easier to relate their course work to the real world. And they may appreciate their studies more if they have worked in jobs they didn’t enjoy.

Distance Learning

Post covid-19, studying from home may be the long-term solution for millions of students.

It’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t enjoy attending lectures and seminars or who lives in a remote area and doesn’t want to move away from home.

Part-time Study

Completing a degree over five or six years, whether it be at a local institution or via Open University, is far less demanding than studying full-time.

It also allows for greater flexibility with regards to work and family commitments.

Self-Employment

Some people are better suited to going it alone than working for someone else. The right idea could mean you are the boss from day one.

The Gov.UK website reports that, in 2018, there were 450,000 16-24 year olds running small businesses in the UK.

Portfolio Career

It is becoming increasingly popular to gain an income from multiple sources rather than one. Usually with one steady, reliable job, the ‘anchor’, supported by other pieces of work.

For instance, someone with a flair for languages could teach night classes at a local college. They could supplement this by offering interpreter or translation services, providing one-to-one tutoring or writing a monetised blog about an aspect of life in a country where their chosen language is widely spoken.

Low Cost Ways to Retrain

With Coronavirus continuing to dominate everyday life in the UK, some people will find themselves with more spare time. That may be a result of being unable to work from home or because their social lives have come crashing to a halt.

Regardless of the circumstances, the current ‘lockdown’ provides an opportunity for anyone who is interested in retraining but usually wouldn’t have time.

Learning something new in order to change careers isn’t always easy. Many qualifications, degrees and some professional awards can be expensive.

But while a lack of finances can make finding the right course more of a challenge, it shouldn’t mean that it’s an impossible task.

Here are four ways to retrain without breaking the bank:

Sign up for a Course

There are many organisations providing short courses (sometimes free) on a wide array of subjects. Visit the websites of Future Learn, Open University, Reed and others to find out more.

If you’re looking for something a bit more challenging (and long-term) then online degrees are also available. The Open University also excel in this area and, depending on your income, you may not have to pay a penny.

Gain Some Experience

Volunteering is always a good idea but it’s even more important in the current climate. There are all sorts of ways you can make a contribution to your local community or some other good cause.

As well as the satisfaction of lending a hand, a volunteering role on your CV can demonstrate work experience in your chosen field and how keen you are.

Train Yourself

Not every job or career requires a degree or other formal qualification. Sometimes, showing how talented you are is more important.

Anyone interested in freelance writing or photography could start a blog or build a portfolio. When it comes to finding work, showing your previous efforts is far more likely to be of use then a certificate. And if you do need any help with the theory behind your role, there should be enough articles online to answer any questions you have.

Have a Side Hustle

Most career changes don’t happen overnight. In many cases, they are slow processes, coming after a lot of hard work and a few setbacks along the way.

That’s why starting off slowly, and working your chosen career as a second job, can be a great idea. You gain valuable experience while still having the security of your boring old full-time role.