What's next after exams?

So today is GCSE results day. I only know a handful of teenagers who have taken GCSE's this year, and well done to all of them and everyone else. Exam's are so stressful and can cause a lot of anxiety. They are forced on all children and often, when choosing which exams to take, there is a lot of persuasion from schools and teachers thinking about their own reputation.  So well done everyone. You've all done amazingly..... but what now?

A 16 year old won't necessarily know what they want out of life. Unless they have their lives pre-determined, laid out and are happy to follow those steps, then this is a life changing moment when young people must decide whether they want to carry on in education, get out and start earning money, stay at school or move away to college.

The first question I always ask my young clients is "What do you like?" They often look at me, as if they should answer in terms of occupation and I get blank looks. So the question I re-ask is "What do you like, in life, in general, as a hobby, as an interest". My clients chat to me and I love the animation as they tell me about the things they enjoy in life.
Most of the time, they put no connection to the things they love and careers (think theme parks, horses, shopping).

But hear this - virtually every single thing we come across in life will have at least one job associated with it. There are theme park workers, owners, head office workers. There are jockeys, horse racing career paths, personal shoppers, retail managers etc).

So if you are in a position where you don't know what steps to take next, think about what you love. Decide whether further education will help to create a career around your hobby and think slightly longer term (although we are still only 16 years old here, so long term doesn't factor highly) as to whether your education/apprentice/straight into work will be transferable, should you decide in a few years that it's not the move for you.  Then look into your hobbies and see what careers are available, and what would suit you or what you could build up to.

Whilst you're in a position hopefully to stay at home, be supported by your family and not worry about mortgage repayments yet make the most of being young, making choices, making mistakes and making more choices. But importantly, try and have as much fun along the way, because this is the start of the rest of your life.

Enjoy!
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