Getting GCSE results in a Global Pandemic

Mar 11

Firstly, let me just say CONGRATULATIONS! You have survived a global pandemic! You have experienced and managed through one if the most difficult crises the WORLD has ever experienced and you have made it. You are facing one of the toughest times facing any generation of young people, but it is also still one of opportunity for you. You may have lost people dear to you and need time rest and recover, but you can use the time to reflect. Experiencing the pandemic has probably pulled into sharp focus what you think are the most important things in life and THAT gives you a unique insight into the value of a meaningful life that in itself will change your decisions fundamentally and fast forwards your thinking. Your generation have already experienced a lot in terms of seeing what has happened with work, careers and family in your own lives and how our career, health and money situations ultimately affect, protect us or make us vulnerable.

But now to the practicalities. Exam results and your decisions.

With the options of education, employment and training there is still a lot to think about and it is a big decision for you. However, if you make a mistake and choose the wrong path - you can always change it. You can stay at sixth form or college until year 14 or leave for a job or apprenticeship (or traineeship) at any time. The key is to plan BEFORE you jump and not just leave (unless something is putting you in danger or affecting your mental health). There is also a range of people from websites, teachers and family to help you decide. You can contact careers advisers if you want a purely independent career exploration too.

Whether it is GCSE, BTEC (T-Levels will slowly replace BTECs) or A levels, the safest option is to become more educated in the long run in whatever form that takes.

If you are not sure WHAT you want to do after school your LONG-TERM PLAN is to make time to find out. You can use psychometric tests, friends, family, or (The Destination Dream Job Journal) to help you get feedback on what you are good at, your skills. You can identify your interest areas and we work from there. To quote Jeff Bezos (Amazon CEO and one of richest men in world), "If you don't love your work you are never going to be passionate enough about it to make it work." To become an expert in anything economists have calculated costs you 10,000 hours of practise so if you don't love it, you are not going to practise enough to stay the course. You can make ANY hobby into a job that pays, you just need to find the bit you do better than 80% of other people. People with genuine passion who consistently learn about their subject will always become successful (you just have to decide what success looks like to you).

One of the shortcuts to finding out what you do want to do is get a part time job. You will realise a lot about what you don't want to do!

IF you can't see your LONG TERM PLAN yet keep an open mind and then stick to subject areas you enjoy (no matter if you think there are jobs there or not. I can find you paid work in ANY subject area). You will need to study to a higher level for some subject areas like art or medical interests.

The practical bits.

After GCSE you could go on to a course at college or a school sixth form. If you want to go into work at 18 or 19 years old you may want to choose a VOCATIONAL course so it is directly related to work; mechanics, hairdressing, engineering etc. You can work alongside your course part time. You will have some flexibility to change course and add more courses as you go as long. You will go into the workforce with a level of skill and can continue to learn with an employer or self directed evening courses. If your long-term plan involves becoming qualified to University level you will need to top up. For example, a hair and beauty college course and the range of University courses will be limited, so you can't move from hair into teaching - you would have to go back to do a 2 year access course full time at college or apply for the teaching when you are a mature student (courses more flexible over 21 years old BUT GCSE English and Maths are always a requirement).

A LEVELS at college or school sixth form are a great way to keep lots of options open and any combination of subjects can be studied. You often choose 4 and narrow to 3. You can go to work, apprenticeship or University after. Most Uni’s don't specify what 3 subjects they will accept (even for medicine). In fact, if you had high A Level grades but no Science A Levels, I could find you a medicine degree, (you would just need to do a top up Science year extra).

A BTEC course (slowly being converted to T-Levels) is a middle ground to move into employment or up to University and a degree. You get all the theory for Uni next but you also get assignments set by employers and a chunk of work experience to help you move into a job. You will need to narrow to an area; Business, Art & Design, Sport, Science. But a bit more flexible in terms of subject to study if you want to continue to degree level.

APPRENTICESHIPS are tough to achieve but those who stand out are those people who are willing to learn, confident to try, listen carefully to instructions and who can tell an employer WHY they want to work in that job area, WHY they would be a good fit. I would always advise putting in an application to college alongside an application for apprenticeships as you can continue to learn by starting college if no apprenticeship appears and also you can continue to apply for apprenticeships whilst at college and leave if you get one. It also looks really good to employer that you don’t give up and also that you are not waiting around for others but getting on with your education. You also need to know what the job role is and what it involves, research the company through its website and be prepared to undertake the training (some training will be at the employer premises, some a 2 week block release so you stay away for 2 weeks every 6 months or some training is day release to a college or university for degree level apprenticeships). You need to know how you will get to work every day (and this seems to be a favourite employer question) and be self motivated to get out of bed. Also the pay scale may not be high at first (see gov.uk minimum wage for apprenticeship rates) but you will earn more as you become more experienced. TRAINEESHIPS are unpaid work experience and are available at gov.uk. You can get really valuable work experience in your chosen job area by taking one.

If you are a YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR fantastic news! You already have an amazing set of employable skills. You may be a successful depop seller or a YouTube or Instagram sensation, however there is a lot to learn in any business and the most valuable assets are your brain, your attitude and if people want to work with/for you. By studying longer you will automatically be around more people (who could become your customers, a partner or employees). If you go up to University level, students will come from all over the world and the effect on your business can be huge. How far you go is up to you. I often help people decide WHEN is my side business big enough to sustain me and how do I move from my regular job into my own business.

So to conclude. There are a lot of options but by layering them you can make a watertight plan to become qualified and successful. The key to all of it is to know what you want for now SHORT TERM whilst working towards your LONG TERM Future. You may need time to reflect on and imagine what the best, happiest version of you would do to take your mind above the current difficulties of Covid-19. I use the Calm app or art to do this, but use any method that helps you connect to times where you are in your 'flow state' (the times you are enjoying yourself and lose track of time).

Some useful websites that might help are below. But the Destination Dream Job Journal and my careers sessions both work through the questions within this article to help you discover your unique talents and make a practical plan. If you need a careers chat to find out which options are actually relevant to you then book in for my 15 minute free chat and see if I can help.

Good luck! Kerry