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

bootyfurl

candyflossing wrote: »

I think a lot depends on what makes you happy.

Some people enjoy learning. Others find it tiresome and boring.

Parents can be very persuasive too. I know a lot of people who are only in uni because their parents forced them into going.

That's very true.
When it came to choosing my options it was mostly based on what my parents thought.

bootyfurl

wiseman405 wrote: »

Hi bootyfurl

I left school last year at the age of 16. So far it's the best thing i have ever done. Started work a week after my GCSE's and now i am earning an okay wage and saving my !!!! off!!
If you can guarantee that you can find a job when you leave, and you think its the right thing to do, then go for it!

Education does not guarantee you a job, no matter how brainy you are!
People handling skills are important....

Good luck

Its great to hear that.
Thanks.

bootyfurl

RichP wrote: »

I left school at 15 in 1985 and went straight into a job the following week *touch wood* since then I have not had a day out of work *touch wood* I am currently earning £31k a year but the scope for me to be able to leave and do something else / more interesting is very limited to me as I have no formal qualifications, so I guess I would have to go back to school and finish what I should have back then if I want to do something else which at times I do wish I could.

wow, well done!

bootyfurl

jackomdj wrote: »

I did a year of A levels then left & worked in a firm of Accountants where I did my AAT (basic accountancy exam). I then said I would have a study break & do my next set of exams a couple of years later - here I am 18 years later still not started.

I am in a great job (retail finance), fairly high up, however I will not get promoted any higher in my company due to my lack of exams and I would not be able to easily get a job in another company due to the same.

When I had my children I was lucky enough to go back part time, however if I had wanted to take a break this would not have been possible as I could not have started a new job on the same level.

So what I am saying is even if it is not A levels followed by Uni get the relevant qualifications for your career path at a time when you have the time to do it (I could study now but it is 3 years & I would rather spend the time with my family).

Good luck in whatever you decide.
Nicky

Aaaww that is so sweet.
Thats great, your 18 and you have children and you work somewhere really good.
I am also interested in accountancy, how is it?
Thanks.

patchwork_cat

Hi
What are your predicted grades and interests? What do you want to be? That should help determine whether you stay at school/college or take diplomas. the qualifications availabale in the post16 area are plentiful. If you want to be an accontant talk to those in large accountancy firms. The routes into accountancy are many and varied as are the institutes of chartered accountants.

jackomdj

bootyfurl wrote: »

Aaaww that is so sweet.
Thats great, your 18 and you have children and you work somewhere really good.
I am also interested in accountancy, how is it?
Thanks.

You have just made me wet myself laughing! I said here I am 18 years later - I am 36!!!!

I am lucky as I have worked for some great companies & done a long time at each. I did 7 years at my first job in a firm of Chartered Accountants which gave me a great grounding for every job I have had since. Then I worked for 5 years in the financial accounts department of a Uni (it was great fun with a good group of people). Then I moved up to Swindon (due to OH relocating) & worked at an ISP company in Reading for 6 months until I got a job in the finance department of a large high street retailer - been here since 2000. I have worked in 4 area's of finance within that time. I have been incredibly lucky & made my mark at this company & I now spend most of my time writing excel reports & macro's or investigating potential issues & finding solutions. A bit of a niche area - but I love it!

If you are interested in Accountancy the best thing to do is make sure you get your exams, AAT followed by the relevant exam for the route you decide to take. AAT can be done as a release programme so you get the exam & on the job training.

Good luck
Nicky

louise_1981

bootyfurl,

I have worked all the way through the education system and I am 18k in debt for the pleasure. However, I would never get to where I wanted to be without it. I start teaching (fingers crossed, in Sept).

However my little brother (went straight into the navy) and my cousin (went straight in to work), both will earn more than me come Sept, both have been put through degree courses by their respective work places, and paid to do it, with no debt!

I am just saying think about what you want to do, maybe do some voluntary work/get a job at weekend and holidays, just put general feelers out there.

your in year ten, so you should have your two weeks work experience coming up very soon.

try to organise your own! send letters out to companies you think you might like to work for. Explain who you are, that you want work experience and what position you would like to shadow, if possible. If you want, put you draft up on here, I am sure people will help with comments and help you make it brill. That way no one will be able to turn you down!!!

gemmas5677

I went onto sixth form in 2000 but after skiving lessons & not doing homework I realised my heart wasn't in it. So I left, got more hours working in my supermarket job & went for loads of interviews. Luckily I was accepted into the Civil Service (lucky as that's what I wanted to do) as an E2 Admin Assistant, I was promoted to E1 Admin Officer within 9 months into a procurement role, then I went for another internal job doing websites got loads of free trg & work experience & then went for promotion to D Executive Officer & got it. I have worked for around 2 years as a D Grade managing staff in a Communications role had 1 year off mat leave & plan to re-train in Beauty Therapy in September.

Arthurian

According the The Times in February,
An average 23-year-old graduate earns £18,096 a year, while someone who left school at 18 will be earning £16,172 by the same age
- In a lifetime, the average graduate can expect to earn about £160,000 more than the average nongraduate The average student graduates with £14,000 of debts.
If you leave school early and save all your wages over the 5 years in a good savings account while the university student is racking up debt, then also keep those savings compounding interest over your working life, I wonder who would have the advantage eventually (purely from a financial point of view)? Could the best financial tactic be to start work early and only take time off for a degree when or if forced out of the workplace later in life?

kr15snw

Im a graduate (well will be soon) but after not being able to get a decent job due to "lack of experience" I am starting a 12.5k (before tax) job in the summer so I can work my way up on the inside.

Shows the uni doesnt always help!