Did or will anyone quit school at 16 and go straight to work?

bootyfurl

well, i'm going to go but any help will be appreaciated.
thanks.

Lokolo

bootyfurl wrote: »

has anyone heard of the 14-19 diploma?
I might consider it but i can't find a website!

Have you tried goolgling diploma? It then gives you first site: http://yp.direct.gov.uk/diplomas/

which is the diploma site.

steve40

If you wanted to be a plumber for instance Uni wouldn't help. IMO if you leave at 16 get a trade. You will earn a good living and after serving your time can be your own boss.

Obviously this depends on your abilities and interests if you wanted to be a Dr then don't leave school at 16!

Have you asked your careers advisor to give more details on diplomas? If you don't mind me asking how old are you?

geri1965_2

I left school at 16 in 1982 and I have been working ever since. Never been unemployed, signed on etc.

Not having a degree has never held me back, but times are changing now.

kr15snw

If your unsure then sign up for A - levels / college course. Then look for work. If you dont get any jobs then you can return to education.

This was my plan for this year (finishing uni with option of a 3rd year), but as I have now been offered a job I will not be attending!

WillowCat

JMC39 wrote: »

People should think carefully about leaving school at 16 and not going on to University. In certain career paths you will be fine, however in a lot of industries you will struggle to get interviews without a degree - even 20 years into your career.

It's very true. I was 15 when I left school (just turning 16 I was the youngest in my year). It wasn't expected for us to even stay on to do A levels, and degrees weren't "for the likes of us".

I managed to work my way up to a pretty good job without a degree, but left to go travelling last summer. Now back in the job market (just) I only got a job due to past connections. It seems that in my line of business a CV without a degree is an automatic reject, due to the fact that my younger counterparts all have them.

Because I want to change career anyway, I've just applied for (and been accepted on!!!!:j ) a degree course. If I was 18 now I wouldn't hesitate to go to Uni. I'm 40 btw and it seems that it's a lot harder to get in on the ground and work your way up now than it was when I was younger.

Lokolo

WillowCat wrote: »

Because I want to change career anyway, I've just applied for (and been accepted on!!!!:j ) a degree course. If I was 18 now I wouldn't hesitate to go to Uni. I'm 40 btw and it seems that it's a lot harder to get in on the ground and work your way up now than it was when I was younger.

Good luck!

My mum did that few years ago, to help get higher up the ladder, seems to be working!

bestpud

Yes, I did and now, 21 years later I'm finally doing my degree!

I'm happy I've gone back to studying but tbh I don't think I'd have enjoyed uni at 18 and I certainly wouldn't have appreciated the opportunity to be there.

I think it is much harder to get by without some form of further education today.

duchy

Things are changing-in the late 70s early 80s far fewer young people stayed on-now they do so you're automatically competing with people with more qualifications for every job. Unless you have a really clear career path and job offer staying on is likely to offer you far better prospects.

Gemmzie

Sort-of.

I quit my AS levels and went into work. I worked in a bank and hated it, worked in retail full-time and hated that too. But the time off was good as I found a volunteer job I loved and that helped me find which direction I wanted to go in.

I cannot recommend a gap year enough, either before A Levels or after, volunteer, travel, work. Then you'll see how important your education is and hopefully find the right degree for you too