A levels?
Helo
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum I wasn't too sure where to put it. I could do with some advice as I'm struggling on deciding what to do with careers. I am currently in year 12 and studying a BTEC in Health and Social Care, I was planning on doing a degree in nursing or foundation medicine (Yes, it's possible..). Now I have thought of it I don't seem as interested in healthcare roles and wanted some new career ideas.
Would it be worth I finish my BTEC next year and then go back to college to do my a levels?
What a levels would people recommend me doing if I don't know what to do after college?
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum I wasn't too sure where to put it. I could do with some advice as I'm struggling on deciding what to do with careers. I am currently in year 12 and studying a BTEC in Health and Social Care, I was planning on doing a degree in nursing or foundation medicine (Yes, it's possible..). Now I have thought of it I don't seem as interested in healthcare roles and wanted some new career ideas.
Would it be worth I finish my BTEC next year and then go back to college to do my a levels?
What a levels would people recommend me doing if I don't know what to do after college?
Original post by Pineapps
Helo
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum I wasn't too sure where to put it. I could do with some advice as I'm struggling on deciding what to do with careers. I am currently in year 12 and studying a BTEC in Health and Social Care, I was planning on doing a degree in nursing or foundation medicine (Yes, it's possible..). Now I have thought of it I don't seem as interested in healthcare roles and wanted some new career ideas.
Would it be worth I finish my BTEC next year and then go back to college to do my a levels?
What a levels would people recommend me doing if I don't know what to do after college?
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum I wasn't too sure where to put it. I could do with some advice as I'm struggling on deciding what to do with careers. I am currently in year 12 and studying a BTEC in Health and Social Care, I was planning on doing a degree in nursing or foundation medicine (Yes, it's possible..). Now I have thought of it I don't seem as interested in healthcare roles and wanted some new career ideas.
Would it be worth I finish my BTEC next year and then go back to college to do my a levels?
What a levels would people recommend me doing if I don't know what to do after college?
You might as well finish your BTEC. Even though you're not interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, you didn't say you don't like the course. Plus it's a qualification that could come in handy some day.
As for which A-levels to pick, your guess is as good as mine. You haven't said if you would still like to do a degree related to either medicine or human/health science? Need some info in what are you interests, what other careers have you thought about?
Original post by The Empire Odyssey
You might as well finish your BTEC. Even though you're not interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, you didn't say you don't like the course. Plus it's a qualification that could come in handy some day.
As for which A-levels to pick, your guess is as good as mine. You haven't said if you would still like to do a degree related to either medicine or human/health science? Need some info in what are you interests, what other careers have you thought about?
As for which A-levels to pick, your guess is as good as mine. You haven't said if you would still like to do a degree related to either medicine or human/health science? Need some info in what are you interests, what other careers have you thought about?
Sorry if I didn't give enough of a response, I will try to make it easier down below!
I was certainly thinking of continuing my BTEC as I only have another year of it and I'm on track for three distinctions once I finish. I do enjoy the course and I like to do writing/essays when completing coursework
. I'm interested in going to university once I have got the right qualifications though I don't know what I'm interested in so it's a bit of a dilemma! I think I would like to part away from doing medicine or anything within the healthcare field as I have a few medical issues and in the hospital regularly so I would rather stay as the patient instead of a healthcare worker. If you get what I mean?
It sounds bad but I don't really have many interests as such? I'm interested in writing up case studies during college and I like research. Sorry, that probably doesn't help?
The careers i've looked at is: Social work, Law, Psychology, and teaching (I've also briefly looked at an educational psychologist but I do not know much about this). I have also thought about working with special needs children.
Original post by Pineapps
Sorry if I didn't give enough of a response, I will try to make it easier down below!
I was certainly thinking of continuing my BTEC as I only have another year of it and I'm on track for three distinctions once I finish. I do enjoy the course and I like to do writing/essays when completing coursework.
I'm interested in going to university once I have got the right qualifications though I don't know what I'm interested in so it's a bit of a dilemma! I think I would like to part away from doing medicine or anything within the healthcare field as I have a few medical issues and in the hospital regularly so I would rather stay as the patient instead of a healthcare worker. If you get what I mean?
It sounds bad but I don't really have many interests as such? I'm interested in writing up case studies during college and I like research. Sorry, that probably doesn't help?
The careers i've looked at is: Social work, Law, Psychology, and teaching (I've also briefly looked at an educational psychologist but I do not know much about this). I have also thought about working with special needs children.
I was certainly thinking of continuing my BTEC as I only have another year of it and I'm on track for three distinctions once I finish. I do enjoy the course and I like to do writing/essays when completing coursework
. I'm interested in going to university once I have got the right qualifications though I don't know what I'm interested in so it's a bit of a dilemma! I think I would like to part away from doing medicine or anything within the healthcare field as I have a few medical issues and in the hospital regularly so I would rather stay as the patient instead of a healthcare worker. If you get what I mean?
It sounds bad but I don't really have many interests as such? I'm interested in writing up case studies during college and I like research. Sorry, that probably doesn't help?
The careers i've looked at is: Social work, Law, Psychology, and teaching (I've also briefly looked at an educational psychologist but I do not know much about this). I have also thought about working with special needs children.
Hi @Pineapps
It can definitely be daunting when applying for university and not being sure what course to study. I see that you've mentioned about possibly looking at a career in teaching which is where more of my knowledge lies. I am currently a student at CU Scarborough on the Primary Education and Teaching Studies degree. I chose the degree as my passion is to become a Primary School teacher but that is not what the course here is all about.
For example, as well as conducting placements and looking at the curriculum in UK schools, the course modules also focus on research methods in education (which I can see you've also mentioned) as well as child development, psychology and sociology. You can have a look at the following link to see the modules that are focused on across the three years: https://www.coventry.ac.uk/cus/course-structure/hnc-hnd-degree/2020-21/primary-education/
If you have any further questions about an education degree or university in general, feel free to ask away.
Thanks
Mel - Student Ambassador at CU Scarborough
Original post by Pineapps
Sorry if I didn't give enough of a response, I will try to make it easier down below!
I was certainly thinking of continuing my BTEC as I only have another year of it and I'm on track for three distinctions once I finish. I do enjoy the course and I like to do writing/essays when completing coursework.
I'm interested in going to university once I have got the right qualifications though I don't know what I'm interested in so it's a bit of a dilemma! I think I would like to part away from doing medicine or anything within the healthcare field as I have a few medical issues and in the hospital regularly so I would rather stay as the patient instead of a healthcare worker. If you get what I mean?
It sounds bad but I don't really have many interests as such? I'm interested in writing up case studies during college and I like research. Sorry, that probably doesn't help?
The careers i've looked at is: Social work, Law, Psychology, and teaching (I've also briefly looked at an educational psychologist but I do not know much about this). I have also thought about working with special needs children.
I was certainly thinking of continuing my BTEC as I only have another year of it and I'm on track for three distinctions once I finish. I do enjoy the course and I like to do writing/essays when completing coursework
. I'm interested in going to university once I have got the right qualifications though I don't know what I'm interested in so it's a bit of a dilemma! I think I would like to part away from doing medicine or anything within the healthcare field as I have a few medical issues and in the hospital regularly so I would rather stay as the patient instead of a healthcare worker. If you get what I mean?
It sounds bad but I don't really have many interests as such? I'm interested in writing up case studies during college and I like research. Sorry, that probably doesn't help?
The careers i've looked at is: Social work, Law, Psychology, and teaching (I've also briefly looked at an educational psychologist but I do not know much about this). I have also thought about working with special needs children.
Well case studies can happen in almost all degrees so that doesn't narrow it down. But it sounds like uni will suit you if you like the academia of studying.
All those careers and professions have one thing in common - you want to help people and give back to society (so to speak). Social work could be something you could look into. I'm sure there's lots of UG degrees that can have a dual or combined honours such as: Social Work with Education or Social Work and Child Psychology, Social Work and Criminology, etc. It really depends on what you want to do. But I think you should look into social work. See what you can do - you can work with kids, work in education, prisons and reforms, law and the justice system, hospitals (such as dealing with bereaved families), nursing homes, police force, government and charity organisations (like poverty and homelessness), etc. You could always do a top up with a master's and specialise in a particular area in social work afterwards too.
But I think you should look into social working. A family member of mine is a social worker and she specialises in justice system and probation work. Honestly, social work there are a ton of sectors you can work in, you just may wish to look into what you could potentially want to specialise in.
Hello I had seen your post and thought I could be of some help.
I would definitely suggest completing your BTEC/a Levels as this gives you the best chance of been accepted onto a degree level course and a foundation course would not be required either, meaning you would in most cases be onto completing a 3 year degree.
Now with hope of helping answer your other question, I feel my own experience would be of some use to you, to help you with your next decision. I completed my A-levels, which i did a level 3 BTEC Health and social care, which I went on to complete straight after school. My intentions was to then go on to study to become a nurse. Once I had finished my course I wasn't sure if I was ready for nursing or if it was exactly what I wanted to do and so I decided to get some relevant work experience to help me with my decision.
After finishing college I became a care worker, although some of the roles and responsibilities of a carer are not desirable, such as personal care, this is relevant for a carer in nursing so a good opportunity for real experience. After only a few months I decided nursing was most definitely not for me, having gained experience working alongside nurses, I was able to recognise nursing was not for me.
Like you teaching was also admirable to me and so I then decided to gain experience working as a teaching assistant, now this was really valuable and I decided that teaching would be something I would like to do. I had some experience in this and so decided to make my next step, applying to University.
I attended a few opening events at University, I was told that primary teaching was a very difficult course to get into, as it was quite competitive. I also wasn't sure if I was 100% decided on teaching primary or secondary. To which I was introduced to a BA Hons degree in Childhood studies, which is the course I graduated in. This course was flexible, explored all areas which I was interested, that leads to more than one opportunity, which is great if your not sure exactly what area you want to go into. I studied mine at Leeds Beckett University, if you wanted to look further into this and the course was really efficient would recommend.
As I explained obviously this course isnt a direct job to a specific outcome, however the perks are that it gives you valuable knowledge for jobs you may want to go into, such as teaching, social work and more health and social related roles including education. There is also the opportunity to when studying this course after two years, if you feel you really want to go into teaching there is a fast track route where they can switch you onto a teaching course to give you that QTS rather than have to further study. My friend did this and was qualified teacher in the same time of which I completed my course.
I decided teaching wasn't for me and desired a role in social work. I had gained much experience over my years working in different environments including children homes that really swayed my decision. I decided after uni to move back home work and save money and gain more valuable experience in desired field. I have been working as a youth worker and now I am about to start an MA in social work to then become a qualified social work.
I hope my experience has demonstrated that you don't have to know exactly what you want to do straight away, and thats ok. I feel that young people feel pressured because of what everyone else is doing that they should do the same. I took two years out after college before going to university, which I am so glad I did and it was the best decision for me. As long as your using that time well saving money, gaining valuable experience that will help you make decisions then it really is worth it.
I studied Childhood studies and maybe if I have of even waited another year I would of gained enough experience to realise that I would of liked to study a BA in social work, however I feel now I am at the right age to pursue a career in social work and that gaining that valuable experience has helped me become ready for these steps.
Hope I have helped you, I think you just need to remember that there is no rush and if you can gain work experience, volunteer that would be really helpful to you. Particularly if you are young and have no commitments yet, as its easier to do that when you don't have to worry about bills a house and other responsibilities.
I started university at 21 and don't be worried about that. You will find a lot of people at university are also around that age and so don't feel that not going at 18 after college you will be older than everyone, majority of students in there first year are over 20. Also saving up before you start university, will make your experience a whole lot better!
If I can have any questions or anything let me know I'm happy to help.
I would definitely suggest completing your BTEC/a Levels as this gives you the best chance of been accepted onto a degree level course and a foundation course would not be required either, meaning you would in most cases be onto completing a 3 year degree.
Now with hope of helping answer your other question, I feel my own experience would be of some use to you, to help you with your next decision. I completed my A-levels, which i did a level 3 BTEC Health and social care, which I went on to complete straight after school. My intentions was to then go on to study to become a nurse. Once I had finished my course I wasn't sure if I was ready for nursing or if it was exactly what I wanted to do and so I decided to get some relevant work experience to help me with my decision.
After finishing college I became a care worker, although some of the roles and responsibilities of a carer are not desirable, such as personal care, this is relevant for a carer in nursing so a good opportunity for real experience. After only a few months I decided nursing was most definitely not for me, having gained experience working alongside nurses, I was able to recognise nursing was not for me.
Like you teaching was also admirable to me and so I then decided to gain experience working as a teaching assistant, now this was really valuable and I decided that teaching would be something I would like to do. I had some experience in this and so decided to make my next step, applying to University.
I attended a few opening events at University, I was told that primary teaching was a very difficult course to get into, as it was quite competitive. I also wasn't sure if I was 100% decided on teaching primary or secondary. To which I was introduced to a BA Hons degree in Childhood studies, which is the course I graduated in. This course was flexible, explored all areas which I was interested, that leads to more than one opportunity, which is great if your not sure exactly what area you want to go into. I studied mine at Leeds Beckett University, if you wanted to look further into this and the course was really efficient would recommend.
As I explained obviously this course isnt a direct job to a specific outcome, however the perks are that it gives you valuable knowledge for jobs you may want to go into, such as teaching, social work and more health and social related roles including education. There is also the opportunity to when studying this course after two years, if you feel you really want to go into teaching there is a fast track route where they can switch you onto a teaching course to give you that QTS rather than have to further study. My friend did this and was qualified teacher in the same time of which I completed my course.
I decided teaching wasn't for me and desired a role in social work. I had gained much experience over my years working in different environments including children homes that really swayed my decision. I decided after uni to move back home work and save money and gain more valuable experience in desired field. I have been working as a youth worker and now I am about to start an MA in social work to then become a qualified social work.
I hope my experience has demonstrated that you don't have to know exactly what you want to do straight away, and thats ok. I feel that young people feel pressured because of what everyone else is doing that they should do the same. I took two years out after college before going to university, which I am so glad I did and it was the best decision for me. As long as your using that time well saving money, gaining valuable experience that will help you make decisions then it really is worth it.
I studied Childhood studies and maybe if I have of even waited another year I would of gained enough experience to realise that I would of liked to study a BA in social work, however I feel now I am at the right age to pursue a career in social work and that gaining that valuable experience has helped me become ready for these steps.
Hope I have helped you, I think you just need to remember that there is no rush and if you can gain work experience, volunteer that would be really helpful to you. Particularly if you are young and have no commitments yet, as its easier to do that when you don't have to worry about bills a house and other responsibilities.
I started university at 21 and don't be worried about that. You will find a lot of people at university are also around that age and so don't feel that not going at 18 after college you will be older than everyone, majority of students in there first year are over 20. Also saving up before you start university, will make your experience a whole lot better!
If I can have any questions or anything let me know I'm happy to help.
Original post by The Empire Odyssey
Well case studies can happen in almost all degrees so that doesn't narrow it down. But it sounds like uni will suit you if you like the academia of studying.
All those careers and professions have one thing in common - you want to help people and give back to society (so to speak). Social work could be something you could look into. I'm sure there's lots of UG degrees that can have a dual or combined honours such as: Social Work with Education or Social Work and Child Psychology, Social Work and Criminology, etc. It really depends on what you want to do. But I think you should look into social work. See what you can do - you can work with kids, work in education, prisons and reforms, law and the justice system, hospitals (such as dealing with bereaved families), nursing homes, police force, government and charity organisations (like poverty and homelessness), etc. You could always do a top up with a master's and specialise in a particular area in social work afterwards too.
But I think you should look into social working. A family member of mine is a social worker and she specialises in justice system and probation work. Honestly, social work there are a ton of sectors you can work in, you just may wish to look into what you could potentially want to specialise in.
All those careers and professions have one thing in common - you want to help people and give back to society (so to speak). Social work could be something you could look into. I'm sure there's lots of UG degrees that can have a dual or combined honours such as: Social Work with Education or Social Work and Child Psychology, Social Work and Criminology, etc. It really depends on what you want to do. But I think you should look into social work. See what you can do - you can work with kids, work in education, prisons and reforms, law and the justice system, hospitals (such as dealing with bereaved families), nursing homes, police force, government and charity organisations (like poverty and homelessness), etc. You could always do a top up with a master's and specialise in a particular area in social work afterwards too.
But I think you should look into social working. A family member of mine is a social worker and she specialises in justice system and probation work. Honestly, social work there are a ton of sectors you can work in, you just may wish to look into what you could potentially want to specialise in.
Original post by Pineapps
Helo
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum I wasn't too sure where to put it. I could do with some advice as I'm struggling on deciding what to do with careers. I am currently in year 12 and studying a BTEC in Health and Social Care, I was planning on doing a degree in nursing or foundation medicine (Yes, it's possible..). Now I have thought of it I don't seem as interested in healthcare roles and wanted some new career ideas.
Would it be worth I finish my BTEC next year and then go back to college to do my a levels?
What a levels would people recommend me doing if I don't know what to do after college?
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum I wasn't too sure where to put it. I could do with some advice as I'm struggling on deciding what to do with careers. I am currently in year 12 and studying a BTEC in Health and Social Care, I was planning on doing a degree in nursing or foundation medicine (Yes, it's possible..). Now I have thought of it I don't seem as interested in healthcare roles and wanted some new career ideas.
Would it be worth I finish my BTEC next year and then go back to college to do my a levels?
What a levels would people recommend me doing if I don't know what to do after college?
Original post by The Empire Odyssey
You might as well finish your BTEC. Even though you're not interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, you didn't say you don't like the course. Plus it's a qualification that could come in handy some day.
As for which A-levels to pick, your guess is as good as mine. You haven't said if you would still like to do a degree related to either medicine or human/health science? Need some info in what are you interests, what other careers have you thought about?
As for which A-levels to pick, your guess is as good as mine. You haven't said if you would still like to do a degree related to either medicine or human/health science? Need some info in what are you interests, what other careers have you thought about?
Original post by Pineapps
Thank you for all the kind replies, it's been very helpful.
I've thought about maybe doing animal psychology and becoming a psychologist?
I've thought about maybe doing animal psychology and becoming a psychologist?
I’m glad the replies have been of some help. If you do have any more questions feel free to ask away and good luck in your future ventures!!
Mel - CU Scarborough Student Ambassador
Original post by Coventry University Student Ambassadors
I’m glad the replies have been of some help. If you do have any more questions feel free to ask away and good luck in your future ventures!!
Mel - CU Scarborough Student Ambassador
Mel - CU Scarborough Student Ambassador
Thanks
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- A-level Exam Discussions 2024
- A Level Exam Discussions 2023
- Learning in UK with BTEC diploma
- Understanding a degree apprenticeship
- Joseph Chamberlain College
- Finding a Level 4 Apprenticeship in Software development
- What after a level 4 apprenticeship
- Three A Levels & a WJEC?
- Question:
- Uni/science/entry requirments
- Would taking AS Level mean taking fewer papers in A Level next year?
- Is it only Cambridge that asks for UMS(or raw marks)?
- Do Apprenticeships have exams?
- Electrical installations level 3 OR 2 HELPP
- Could I do cybersecurity
- Relevant lvl 3 apprenticeships for progression to lvl 4 apprenticeships
- A Level advice (biology)
- Conditional offer
- Portsmouth uni part time grading
- Rejected from Ulster uni, BTEC not sufficient, mature student
Latest
Trending
Last reply 1 day ago
Edexcel A Level Politics Paper 1 (9PL0 01) - 21st May 2024 [Exam Chat]A-levels
10
Trending
Last reply 1 day ago
Edexcel A Level Politics Paper 1 (9PL0 01) - 21st May 2024 [Exam Chat]A-levels
10
