Where does your future lie?

Whether you’re a student finishing your a-levels or someone who didn’t go to university after finishing school; there is never a position in life where it’s not possible to have the lingering question “where does my future lie?”. This is something that often holds students back from applying to university or missing the deadline, however it's never too late when clearing is an option! 

With industries constantly evolving, new careers are becoming a choice every year making it harder to choose what route you want to go down. Most people have the looming fear that they will choose a career they end up not liking. However, it is important to remember that no matter what career you choose, you don’t have to stay in that industry; in fact, the average person changes careers 5-7 times in their lifetime! So, let’s bust some myths and get into some of the ways that you can figure out what you want for yourself in the future. 

Your university course does not determine your future 

Many students fear that choosing the wrong university course will ruin their chances of ever finding a career that suits them and limit them to their options. This couldn’t be any further from the truth! In fact, a university degree opens many doors for you as you pick up multiple skills that you can apply to many other careers.  

At the University of Bolton, we don’t just focus on giving students the knowledge they need to pass their exams, we also help you gain employability skills that can be used in all careers. This is so students are employment ready, and also aren’t left feeling stuck in the one industry they have chosen to get a degree in.  

There is no such thing as a ‘perfect career’

This is a key thing to remember when trying to find a route to go down, there will most likely not be a career that ticks all your boxes; and even if it does, you will still face challenges along the way. The first mistake you might make is trying to find a career that is ‘easy’. There is simply no such thing. The best way to find a career suited for you is based on your interests and personality. For example, if you are quite nurturing and like helping people, nursing could be a possible route for you. You want to find a future career that is rewarding as well as challenging, without the challenge in a job it will become boring and leave you unsatisfied. In conclusion, if you are looking for the ‘perfect career’, you’re doing it all wrong; this is where many people tend to get stuck as it is simply impossible! 

You’re not sure what your options are

This is the one of the biggest things that holds people back. Not knowing how to get to where you want to be in life may leave you with the question “where does my future lie?’. You may have an idea of what you want to do but just aren’t sure how to get there. There are many ways you can get the qualifications you need to do something you’re interested in. A few ways are: 

- Getting a degree – this is the most common and secure way to ensure you gain the correct skills and knowledge needed to be prepared and excel in the role 

- Doing a degree apprenticeship – if you’re someone who’s more hands on and learns better by participating, a degree apprenticeship could be a step in the right direction as you work and learn at the same time! 

- Getting your master’s – if you already have a degree but are considering a role that requires you to have extra qualifications on top of that, getting your master’s is a great way for you to reach that dream career of yours 

On top of those just mentioned there are many options for you to take, such as doing an online course; doing your own research is important as you can find what the best option would be for you. Do not let yourself feel hopeless and unsure about what your options are, anything is possible. 

After going through a few of the reasons why you may feel stuck and how you can prevent that, we hope you now know that there is no rush into finding the career that works for you! At the University of Bolton, we offer one-to-one support for all our students so that you never feel as if you don’t have any guidance, if you don’t know where you what direction you want to go in while studying with us, we will do our best to help you find something suited for you. We also have a quiz that can help you narrow down your options, just follow the link here! 

If you have missed the deadlines and are applying through clearing, we understand the reasons above may have held you back and they are completely valid. Clearing is now your chance to start your future the right way without the fear of missing out on university also. To check out our clearing page, click here. 

For any further information, contact us at enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or call us on 01204 900600, #UseYerLoaf… and choose #UniAsItShouldBe.