Tag: university

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.

Studying and Working Part-Time

Studying full-time at college or university is demanding. As well as attending lectures, there are assignments and projects to complete along with preparing for and sitting exams.

And then there’s money.

For most students, taking on a part-time job is a necessary evil. It’s a method of supplementing a student loan and paying for course fees (for some), study materials and everyday living expenses.

Sure, a role like that can be a distraction, particularly around exam times when there are more important things you could be doing. But there are many benefits, other than financial, to taking on a part-time position while studying.

Increase Your Social Circle

Moving away from home to study can be a daunting experience. Not having family or friends can, in the first few weeks or months, be a lonely experience.

Going to work will hopefully provide some friendly faces amongst your colleagues and maybe even some friendships. No matter how strong or resilient you are, it’s important to have a support network, particularly if you are staying far away from everyone you’ve grown up with.

A Career Starting Point

When taking on a job to support their studies, many people opt for something casual that allows flexibility. The role itself isn’t important, it’s more about the hours and the rate of pay.

But a student job can also be the first rung on the career ladder. If you see yourself pursuing a career in retail, contact centres or journalism for instance, there’s nothing to stop you getting a part-time role while completing an HND or degree.

Gain Life Skills

When you go from school to college or university, you live most of your life in a world of essays, studying and attending lectures or lessons. It’s like being in an academic bubble.

But it doesn’t prepare you for the outside world. Taking on a job can provide much needed life experience like dealing with customers, cash handling, getting there on time and the responsibility of opening and closing a business premises.

A Break from Studying

No matter how much you love your chosen subject, stepping away from the books (or the website, or any other method of study) is a must.

Doing something completely different can help you relax, or at the very least, take your mind off from the stress and pressure that being a student can often bring.