School’s almost over… how do I decide what next?

The good news is, that despite all the pressure you feel right now, it’s okay if you don’t know exactly what you want to do next. Many young Australians are made to feel like their year 12 exams will ‘make or break’ the rest of their lives, but that’s not exactly the truth. The truth is that there are lots of different ways to live, lots of different paths open to you, and no one path is necessarily the exact right one. Opportunity is everywhere. Your choices really come down to three main pathways.

What are the options?

Further study

When most year 12 students think of further study, they think of university, and of course that’s a very valid option for students leaving high school. However, it’s not the only option for furthering your education. You may also consider completing certification training through TAFE, or you can study through independent training schools. One of the benefits of further education is that you’ll get the chance to learn more independently. You’ll likely also make some amazing new friends along the way.

Entering the workforce

If you’re not interested in further study, you can always enter the workforce right away. School leavers who go straight into employment gain valuable skills that will prepare them for the rest of their lives. They are also much faster to gain financial independence from their families, which allows them the freedom to build a life on their terms. The great thing about entering the workforce at this stage is that it doesn’t exclude you from continuing your education later if that’s what you decide to do.

The gap-year

Many school leavers use their gap year to travel, gain work experience or even volunteer. A gap year is a great idea if you want to gain a little bit more life experience before you make any concrete decisions about your future. If you’re interested in volunteering or travelling there are gap year companies who cater to young adults wanting to expand their horizons, see the world, or do some good.

Still not sure what to do?

The best way to get a feel for the right path for you is to talk to the people in your life about their experiences. The more people you can talk to, the better idea you’ll get of the realities of each option so talk to as many people as you can, from different age groups and backgrounds.

The good news is that although it feels like you’re making a life altering decision, anything you choose now can be changed later, so don’t worry too much about having all the answers. Nothing is ever set in stone!

Take our Job Quiz

If you’ve ever wondered what job you are most suited to or looking for ideas on what job paths you might like to explore, our quiz is a great place to start!

Take our Unique As You quiz and find out which job cluster best matches your personality.

Looking for some support?

CoAct helps young people to tap into their skills and passions, helping you to find a job in your local area sooner.

We can help connect you to youth employment programs to help you find a job, earn money and gain the type of independence you’re looking for.

Plus, we do more than just help young people find jobs. We also make sure youth job seekers have access to:

• Practical job search tools and training
• Referrals to local jobs and employers
• Work-ready skills and training including short courses and work placements
• Assistance with work-related items
• Community support services – such as housing, counselling and health services
• Support that helps build confidence and social networking skills
• Post-placement support to help young people thrive at work

To find out more or make an enquiry, get in touch with our friendly team today.