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

QueenDebbie

I didn't leave at 16, but I left at 18 after my A Levels. I did very well at college, and intended to have a gap year and earn some money before I went to Uni, and I got accepted to study Philosophy at all six Universities I applied for...

But, while I was at college, I was volunteering for the CAB one day a week, which led to a good job with them in my 'gap year', and I won an award in a council ceremony for my work. I was on the local news talking about my work. I was also getting lots of training and experience.

After knowing so many people who came out of Uni and struggled to find a job, I felt like I couldn't justify going. Philosophy is my real love and I would have enjoyed studying it, but I just felt that I couldn't justify paying the tuition fees to pursue a hobby. I also felt that I couldn't give up everything I was getting from my job. It would have been different if I was going to Uni to pursue a career, but I didn't have any idea what I wanted to do.

While I was at work, I got really into Social Policy campaigning, and figured out this is one thing I'd like to do with my life. So I started a relevant distance learning degree which is costing me about £500 in total, and is only lasting two years as my work experience meant I didn't have to do any of the first year. So I'm getting a cheap degree which will actually be useful for me, and I have earned more than all my friends who went to Uni are earning now for the past four years.

I'm hoping to do a Philosophy distance learning degree when I have some spare time now, because I love it, but I'm glad I didn't do it for three years full time.

I think that people are pushed into college and University these days (when I was at college people were horrified if you said you weren't going and you got the 'best days of your life' lecture), and while I think it's important to go I think it's more important to go when you feel ready and when there's a career goal with it. A lot of people go to Uni because they don't know what else to do, and it's just too expensive for that now. If you go when you have a plan you can be more focussed and do well, and there are so many chances to get into education and training in later life.

Wow, that was long.

Riq

I went on from school to do A-Levels, then do a degree and now I am doing ACCA. Some would say I like academic qualifications.

I would not be in my job now with my degree.

The diploma is still a relatively young qualification and as such I would always go down the A-Level route if you can.

Wiggynut

I left school at 15 and tried doing the YTS as I didn't have the confidence to go to college - also had to leave home too - no family support as my mother is rather unstable and abusive too so I had a rather poor secondary education.

well, I got £35 per week which had to pay for rent, food, and travel (no trains so I had to take a bus - 7 hours travelling a day!)
I trained up others in the job and they got paid £20,000 pa - they also ripped me off by £300 when I left which was just overtime (at £1.50 per hour...!).
I never saw anyone from the YTS scheme.. only got the pay and the 1 day per week course had nothing to do with my job.

I left after a year and a half as the travel was too much and I was skint!

I've worked 21 years now and have been a manager, supervisor, and trained up many students etc in my work but have yet to earn anything near what they earn! (never broken the £20,000 mark!)

so I'm finally going to uni in Sept 08 - petrified but can't wait either!

students get feedback, graded, taught, trained, complimented, supported, discounts on everything, loans - I have never got any of those things in 21 years of working!

People always say that I don't earn much because I havn't worked hard?????
I used to work long hours - until 3am (no overtime pay etc.. .just to get the deadlines out) I also had to train myself in DTP, Photoshop, film processing, databases, picture research, CAD all by myself in a couple of weeks - I didn't get several years help or training!!!

It is now expected to have a degree and unless you have a lot of confidence and great networking skills I would advise people to do some studying - I also think that it's best to work for a few years and then go to Uni etc.

self belief and confidence does help if you don't want to go down the Uni route.
I personally think I'm ready for Uni as I'm so mentally bored and to be around other people with the same interests as me will be great (just hoping there are some people older than 18!! and I don't embarress myself ;-p)

Wiggynut

kr15snw wrote: »

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!

but Uni will help you move faster up!

why do students always think that they should be at the top after studying/training for a job you have not actually done the actual work yet!?
You havn't had any experience... once you do then you will shoot up.

I have tons of experience but can't earn much because I don't have a degree - where as you will not have that problem.

also, didn't you work in the breaks? that would help you with actual work skills - I always find it odd that people who have never worked say that they can't get work because of lack of experience... well, any job will give you that which is what you are doing now... so you are on your way... hardly a waste of time is it!

LouBlue

I went to secretarial college for 2 years at 16, been employed for 22 years, never been out of work or signed on. Though I have taken the last few months off, which has been nice.

Niece leaves soon and is going to college to do a 2 years sports course, she wants to be Personal Trainer, good, would like one of them.

benlight1

I always wanted to go to Uni but I believe that it is not always the way forward as there are too many graduates. My mum is a lecturer in law at University and she gets to see all sorts of reports, it is shocking to see that the number of people qualifying is rapidly increasing yet the number of people getting jobs in the area in which they qualify is decreasing.

All through school I planned on doing the usual A level route then onto a Uni in some other part of the country, but, as I got older I realised this was not for me and did a 'BTEC National Diploma for ICT Practicioners', anyway I have 3 weeks left on this course and can honestly say I will not be going into ICT.

But I am going to do something I always wanted to do and train to be an electrician in an apprenticeship, this way I can learn a vital skill that I can take anywhere with me, also, when qualified the money in this area is a nice wage to be earning as electricians can be on quite a lot.

Its worrying when you can a lawyer and a computer expert easier than a plumber, electrician etc...

I guess it all depends on whats right for you though.

DominoThiry

I did it. I'm coming up to my 18th birthday now and in less than 2 years i've had 6 temporary jobs (all with bad pay) and months of unemployment. Currently doing volunteer work and applyig for Uni (yeah you can get in on some courses with 5+ GCSE's.:o )


I'm not saying it's been awful HOWEVER be prepared for difficulty finding your first job (a lot of people will think "oh, they're young and never worked before I bet they're an immature layabout etc etc") and earning £4.50 an hour.

ka7e

DS (23) and his mate (24) both work at the same job (Local Gov) earning £17.5K. DS has a 1st class Honours degree, incurring £3K debt but keeping a part-time job. His friend left college at 18 and worked in retail for 4 years, on low wages.

DS sees the job as a good first graduate job and hopes to progress to a higher level, while his friend sees it as his job for the forseeable future. They both acknowledge there may be a glass ceiling for a non-degree holder, though it may be breached with someone with lots of relevant experience.

MrsE_2

I did.

But had to go back to education at 30 or spend my life working very very hard for minimum wage.

devils_nose

I left at 17 after attending (sort of) 6th form for a year and went in accountancy. Did my AAT and moved jobs and got offered the chance to become a 'real' accountant but after 10 years of working in finance I really had had enough and I quit last September to give uni a shot. Best thing I ever did!

You have to do what is right for you, basically, and if you feel that A levels aren't it then there is no point.