Many young people post-18 are uncertain about their future career choices, and the options available to them do not guarantee a stable or high-paying job.
Universities can deliver skills and accolades required to find it easier to acquire a job, however, the accessibility, the cost and the time can make it difficult to sustain.
UCAS says the average annual cost of university tuition fees in the UK is currently £9,250, a 300% increase from 15 years ago.
Other options like degree apprenticeships offer an income whilst learning, a problem is the insane workload, as well as having a full-time job, juggling this with studies would be completely overwhelming to students who were most likely not prepared.
However, the deep problem that causes this appears much earlier in life, and the reasons why these options may not seem right to students.
Petty rules
Schools focus on teaching subjects in isolation from the real world and how it applies to students after they turn 18, and what would be the best path to pursue a student’s passion.
It doesn’t help that they set many petty rules, which make many of us feel like children.
Once students finish school, for this reason, it puts a lot of pressure and stress on the students to make the right move, making the wrong decision can upset their entire career.
“The education system is completely outdated”, says Andy Fink, a former and successful graphic designer, now a current teacher, whom I spoke to.
“The Government needs to adapt to the modern environment… they need to be more in touch with the younger people. [Teachers] do nothing to prepare young individuals for the proper world.”
He later expresses that exams are an “archaic system” and do not represent a student’s potential.
More resources needed
“A one-off test with [topics] that other students perform better in compared to others doesn’t give the full picture. [Teachers] need to invest more resources into what students are good at.”
As for me, a year 12 student approaching my sweet 18, I find myself still in no-man’s land on the back foot with this sudden information overload about universities, UCAS, work experience, apprenticeships, etc.
I agree with Andy; it is much better to find the potential in a student and really push it rather than having two-hour exams decide your life. What was the point of learning how to find starch in food if I personally do not care?
I’ve taken his advice to heart. I’m sure that if I truly follow my passion, which is also graphic design, and put all my chips on it, all the opportunities will open up for me, and I can hopefully secure what is best for me.
Published as part of our work experience partnership with Kimberley College
