Career after A-Levels

[Leebo]

I have finished my A-Levels and have decided not to go to Uni. Does anyone know of jobs where my A-Levels will give me an advantage. Sites, etc

[Emily Ball]

If you obtain grades sufficient to  allow you to go to university, I can pretty much guarantee that in a few years time you will regret not doing so when you had the chance. Salary and promotion prospects are usually much greater for a graduate than for someone who has A level qualifications. 3 years may seem a long time at your age but believe me the time flies by.   

[acw]

True true Emily!  I would suggest that you (Leebo) think long and hard about what you want to do - THEN think about the qualifications.  If you want to be a hairdresser, then I think you can get NVQs in that sort of thing.  But if you want to be a fashion designer running your own company, a business and fashion degree would be useful.  Do you see what I mean?

I suggest that you write down your top 10 realistic dream jobs and then think about how you'd get them.  Although you haven't applied for uni this year, you could take a gap year, save and travel and then go to uni next year. 

I personally don't know of any jobs that want people with more than GCSEs but less than a degree.  But then I haven't looked.  Hopefully someone can give you a direct answer rather than best-of-intentions-but-it-might-look-like-nagging from Emily and me!!!

[twiglet4frog]

i think personally in this day and age of debt that not going to uni is a good thing 80% of the time as i didnt go and loads of my mates did, and i would say nearly all of them are doing the same kinds of low paid work i did when i started because they cant get what they wanted as a job, and are also highly in debt because of it

[acw]

I agree with Twiglet4frog also.  That's why I so strongly advise that you think about what you want to do.  It's a huge investment of time and money, but also can be the best 3 years of your life and it CAN improve your job prospects.  I wouldn't be applying for the jobs I'm applying for now if I hadn't gone to uni.  But not everyone wants to be a pensions lawyer!! 

Anyway - I think all that everyone's trying to say is that you're young and nothing is forever so you can always change your mind!  But if you get into debt without good reason, you can't back out without a lot of graft!  So think carefully and get sound careers advice from your old college - I'm sure they'll be happy to help! :-)

[Ward-Minter]

I decided not to go to Uni after 4 A'a and a C in my 5 A levels, mush to my mothers shame. However I joined the navy. Was an officer within 18 months and served 7 years. Came out for personal reasons and at 26 went to uni. I then had a pretty nice car and about 50K in the bank I had saved from my navy days.

I was certainly not too old and managed to pull quite a few 18/19 year olds and still get on with the mature students. I had the time of life for the three years ONLY because I had a few quid.

So............. my answer (not really to your question but some life coaching from a wise old man!) Get a job. Discover yourself. Get a few quid. Stay fit. Then go to uni. The Royal Navy is a good option.