University or Apprenticeship?
University or Apprenticeship?
Firstly, congratulations to everyone who received their A-Level results last week! We wish you the best of luck with your next chapter.
As the next group of students begin their final year, future plans become the main topic of conversation. At this point, you are presented with several paths to choose from, and it can feel stressful deciding what is right for you.
There are many great options to choose from. One popular route is to attend university, some choose integrated apprenticeships that offer a degree alongside working, others may be more hands on and look to go down the traditional apprenticeship route. There are great benefits to consider within each of these options. This post will attempt to highlight some points to consider, in attempt to help you feel more solid in your decision.
University
There are a great number of subjects to choose from at university, often courses will have several compulsory modules each year, but you will get to choose others. If you are particularly unsure of what you want to study, liberal arts may be a good option. Similar to the structure of US universities, you will have a major subject and a minor, giving you even more flexibility and choice.
Many career paths require non-specific degrees. So, unless you want to become a doctor or astrophysicist, a degree can help your future self get through the door of your chosen career. It will also teach you a range of transferrable skills, how to analyse information, judge the reliability of sources, build resilience, but also, how to nurture strong relationships. That said, it is also the most expensive route to take, if you have a career in mind, it may be worth seeing what qualifications are necessary, a degree could be optional, and hence, so could the student debt.
Traditional Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships have begun to appear in many different industries over recent years. We traditionally associate this path with subjects such as carpentry or construction, where it is vital to observe and practice the hands-on skills. However, this path has been adapted by other industries that have seen the merits of this learning style, and apprenticeships are now offered in various sectors such as law, engineering and finance.
If you find that you struggle to learn in a classroom setting, or if you are just eager to get into the working world and begin to build your career, take a look at apprenticeships.
Integrated Apprenticeship
If you learn best by doing, but like the support-net a degree can offer, an Integrated Apprenticeship may be a great path. The mix of hands-on learning and study can help to break up the week. Similarly, if you are struggling to choose between the benefits of a degree, and work experience, this route may help.
Additionally, other apprenticeship courses available may not offer degrees, but can provide a recognised qualification. If you have a particular career in mind, maybe have a look at the most sought-after qualifications and see if there is a local company that will pay for this within an apprenticeship. As these qualifications can often be expensive.
We hope this provides some clarity to your future decision making, university or apprenticeship? Whatever your choice, we wish you the best of luck in your final year and future career!
For some ideas on future career paths, check out our current vacancies page and read through a few job descriptions. Alternatively, take a look at the website Prospects, it offers great detail on all future career paths, and offers a free quiz to match you to jobs you might suit.
Job Search Tips:
Top Interview Tips
Dovetail Job Search Toolkit
Interview Tips: How to be presentable
Dovetail Recruitment are an independent Recruitment Agency in Bournemouth. Follow us to keep up to date with The South’s Job Market Report, Recruitment in Hampshire & Dorset + HR news, as well as our latest jobs, career tips + everything else related to your working world.
 |
 |
 |
 |
