How did your experiences with education set you up for a career? What choices did you make? What advice can you give to people starting out at the beginning of their working life?
Posted by: sabrina | 13.08.2008 10:41am
i have finished education and i feel lost in the world of work i don't have 1 main idea that i want to go on and pursue in my life.
CONFIDENCE THAT THERE IS AN END POINT TO LEARNING
Posted by: Alex Powell | 19.01.2010 09:11pm
CONFIDENCE THAT THERE IS AN END POINT TO LEARNING
I have worked as tutor for three years at an inner city college. I recognise Guy Claxton's observations that we need to develop student’s resilience for learning. Many of Guy Claxton’s techniques have been utilised but in my experience we now need to look at his idea of self-efficacy (scientific studies have shown that learners perform better if they know there is an end point to their tasks, Claxton, Wise Up).
The problem is that if you flag wave for vocational learning then the end point will inevitably be interpreted as "get a job, earn money" or a variation. This cannot be the end point to learning because it is incorrect and will fall flat. Learning has intrinsic value because it concerns the validation (cause to effect) of observed phenomena - this is validity. But this idea cannot be utilised very easily. For example who or what learns when there is no scientific validation of "a self". We need to look at what confidence means without the unnecessary idea of a self through Emotional Intelligence initiatives. Ever since Wittgenstein it has been understood that we learn language concurrently with behaviour.
Our children are not learning our language. Learning a vocation may be very productive in this regard but without a firm theoretical basis bolting on psychological schemas of the self is always going to be the easiest option, undermining confidence to understand the world scientifically. We must promote learning with CONFIDENCE THAT THERE IS AN END POINT TO LEARNING (through emotional literacy), that it is intrinsically purposeful, and that it is therefore a valid course of action/behaviour. Any attempt to do otherwise does not address true confidence in anything, cannot teach true confidence in anything and is therefore not scientific because it is without a valid theoretical standpoint. Alex Powell
Work based learning
Posted by: Barrie Kissack | 05.10.2009 02:08pm
I left school at 15 in 1953 after failing my 11+.
Education at that time was streamed ( as per the new diploma today.
I became an apprentice and folloed the Btec National Higher National route along with my apprenticeship. Qusalifications that equate to at least a degree diploma (SEE OFQUAL for table).
Then employers had to give apprentices day release( I see that the presnt goverment is considering making companies give day release-whats new?).
I have over time gained at wide range of qualifications ( see http://www.bvk.me.uk).
Using the workbased route visa learn direct and the OU I now have:
BA(hons) Training and dev.
BA(Hons) ICT and vol sector studies
BA (ou)
I am now working towards a PG cert.
So put simply- taking a degree does not cost thousands of pounds!)most people can tsake a degree
Education
Posted by: David | 14.09.2009 07:17pm
I work with a number of young people where academic qualifications just will not be achieved. We look at the Life Skills, Confidence communiction, but also home maintenace, finance, looking after yourself,and many more tailored courses to help young people. It is these skills that are just not taught by a professional. So many times a teacher is pushed in providing career or CV writing lessons but they do not most of the time have the right knowledge or skills.
We should help our young people be ready for an independent life not just high academic achievers. Yes it is true that if you are more academic then your mind works in a more complex manor but not necessarily in a practical way.
I believe we should help all our young people to have the life they would like but give them the tools and provide professional help to them.
What do you think?
David
Youth Coach in Leicester
Posted by: Anonymous | 29.06.2009 10:03am
Shirley
The focus on more vocational learning in the education system is becoming more and more an important issue. With the new staying on in education until 18 now coming into effect there has been renewed emphasis on incoporating more vocational learning into education with Diplomas and Apprenticeships. Whether these will adequately fill the gap will be known further down the line. The early signs the Edge Learner Forum has seen from some workshops run on them are mixed with both positive and negative aspects coming out. Some of the positive aspects include young people feeling the practical work is relavant to what they want to do compared to their previous academic work and that they are on a course they feel happier on. Negative aspects include the theory work being viewed as irrelevant to the practical strands of the course and concerns over how credible these vocational courses are seen as by employers and university.
Vocational Education
Posted by: Shirley Smith | 01.06.2009 08:13pm
I left school in the 1960's aged 15. My secondary school was a Secondary Modern and our Head recognised that not all of his pupils were going to go on to further education and that many of us matured later than the pupils that passed their 11+. He prepared us for the world of work by having practical courses which would give us the basic skills to enter the world of work and for independant living e.g. typing, nursing, healthcare, home electrics, homecraft, building, plumbing, gardening etc etc (it's so long ago that I cant remember all of them!) For those pupils who were able to take "O" levels they did so and if they could take "A" levels, they transfered to the local Grammar School. The advent of Compehensive education seems to have swept all this practical, common sense, education under the carpet - it is probably the worst mistake that our young people have been burdened with. It is certainly the case in my family.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY STATE SCHOOLS
Posted by: ROBERT INGHAM BSC | 20.05.2009 12:58pm
The Black hole of Calcutta
...taught my generation Geography,history and science the OXYGEN CYCLE on which Life ,Brain Action and behaviour is dependent .
english children in 2009 will spend 80% of their lifetime foraging in the INDOOR AIR for Blood OXYGEN .
I suggested to HMG in 1999 that OFSTED BE GIVEN A REMIT TO TEST THA iaq OF ENGLISH STATE SCHOOLS WHEN INSPECTING A SCHOOL
pm bLAIR TOOK IT UP IN 2004 AND jOHN prescott oOdpm USED cs bUILDING res AND aea TECHNOLOGY TO PRODUCE
iaqIN 10 ENGLISH SCHOOLS FROM breBOOKSHOP.COM ONLY £9 may2005...
junk air IN SCHOOLS WAS spun BY junk food swearing chefs raised on GAS WASTE!!
sADLY pm brown has been overloaded and has yet to see the good that iaq would do for all our youth.
USA teats IAQ seriously so does scandinavia see world league tables
LIVERPOOL is trying to work anED Balls test pitching SPEKE SCHOOL bottom league table with BLUECOAT CITY SCHOOL
I have written they should convene JOHN PRESCOTTS IAQ test team and start by comparing the classroom IAQs .....
EDGE uses the termPARENT loose in the LDP18-0509
How do you distinguish between SINGLEand TWIN PARENTS ....
test Q1 WHAT IS GAS in 2009
Q2 what is GAS WASTE chemicals due to parent polluter burning gas in the childs HOME IAQ /?
Response to 'false posts'
Posted by: Edge | 22.04.2009 11:25am
It seems likely that the poster may have let some of her students post their questions...as such it's a bit hard to say whether these are 'false posts'. Maybe mable mambwe could clarify this for if she's still following this thread? I'd be more than happy to provide you with the info you want if you get back in touch and unravel this mystery for us!
The Edge Forum now has a dedicated moderator, so posters WILL receive responses to any queries they have or any salient points they make.
False Posts
Posted by: keith grindley | 03.04.2009 01:32pm
There are posts by Mable Mambwe where she is
1 a 50 plus woman,
2 just left school with no gcses and has no ideas what she wants to do,
3 is 16 and looking to working in the airforce,
4 is working in education with 2 degrees
Doesn't this devalue the forum a bit? This padding out is totally un necessary as all it does is prove the Edge is irrelevant to anyone and is not being used. (Which hopefully is noy the case!!).
Which way is up and which way is down?
Posted by: Roger | 10.11.2008 11:19am
I am confused!
I did a free career direction seminar
Posted by: KE | 02.09.2008 03:04pm
Hi everyone
I thought you might like to know about the free series of seminars I did on career direction. It really helped clarify my direction and make me aware of what I needed to find out next. I got my place by signing up on-line at:
www.90DaysToYourDreamCareer.com
It's free as I say so good luck and hope you get a place too!
polymer technology
Posted by: jeyaprakashakhiladevi | 02.09.2008 02:20pm
no expirence.
not considered salary only.
now i want expirence only.
BUSINESS, RETAIL
Posted by: Ikbal Miah | 02.09.2008 01:21pm
im hoping i can get some where in life but im very lost. looking for taining course while i work in the aswell, so in the futuer i can build up my career
Apprentiships
Posted by: Joe | 30.08.2008 11:58pm
I personaly think it's best to keep your options open, and not to over specialise is one subject, becuase there is no garantee that you will be able to find a job in your desired field.
Try to work from the start i.e. 16, part time if your studying, just to build your c.v.
I'm currently doing an apprentiship in jewlery making, but the skills I'm learning can be applied to many trades, and I doubt this is what I'll 'do' but I'm enjoying it, and people are buying my work.
If you can't enjoy it, then why do it?
help
Posted by: Kimberley Hopkinson | 29.08.2008 11:08am
iam 16 and ive got my gcse results, i did much better than i thaught i would do but iam confused and i want a career in the royal air force possibly as a medical assistant but i also want to to work with children. i have been offered a place in a militry prep college to go on hopefully to the royal air force after the course if iam accepted but there is no garentee, but i also have the choice to go back to 6th form and get A-levels to work with children.. i dont know what to do can anyone relate to this? thanks x
Career choice
Posted by: Guy Choat | 28.08.2008 05:49pm
Choose something you like, and that you are good at. You will spend a big chunk of your life in your work.
You will be competing with people who are doing the thing that they are best at. Give yourself a chance by doing just that.
Listen to your parents and others, but make your own choices. It's your life, not theirs.
If you really have no choice, make up your mind to enjoy it. But you almost certainly do have a choice.
Lost in world of work, don't know what to do.....
Posted by: Gareth | 27.08.2008 12:37pm
Get any work available so that you have a daily routine and something for your CV, however humble it seems.
"What are you doing now?" is a big question at interviews. It is far easier to get other work if you are already working, meeting people and getting ideas from others working around you. One day you may then find an occupation that you enjoy.
what do i do?
Posted by: lizzie | 27.08.2008 10:03am
Hey. I've just done my sat's for year 9. they haven't come back very good. it's made me feel like i can't be bothered anymore. i feel like if i try it just doesn't matter. plus, it's now making me feel as if i wont get a job when i'm older. if anybody was in this position please get back to me. :( x
Posted by: elif | 26.08.2008 02:08pm
Actually a people shouldn't focus on one thing only. This can make him/her unhappy and bored after sometimes. So i recommend you focus on the other things what you wanna do and enjoy. This can make you happy like it makes me happy.
helppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
Posted by: Kimberley Hopkinson | 26.08.2008 12:37am
i am 16 and jus left school i have no gcse at all and i like to do hair and beuty but got no gcse
Posted by: Kimberley Hopkinson | 25.08.2008 12:06pm
You may not get a job in education, but continue going after your goal you will succeed at last!!!
Posted by: Kimberley Hopkinson | 25.08.2008 12:00pm
I went into education and have two BA and BED (Hons)degrees in higher education, (teaching) I did not get through with my PGCE after two attemps, however, I continued to work with children as a family practitioner and love it to bits but there is not much scope for development. My passion is to protect, love and help children who are abused and neglected by their parents and by society. I would like to be a child protection nurse and is now doing nursing. I would like to know if I will have to study again when I finish my nursing course.
Education
Posted by: Thomas | 25.08.2008 09:12am
Dear Sabrina. I am 65 years old and I still don't know what I want to do as a "CAREER". Since leaving school I have been a barber, soldier,plumber, builder, painter and decorator,warehouse manager,market trader, set up my own businesses in import and export, paintball site, gift shops and project management. These are only the jobs that were full time, I did many other jobs on a part time basis. I have been happily married for 41 years have one daughter and two grandchildren. I own my own house and am in debt to no one. Although I am "retired" I am in the process of launching a computerised board game.
I don't give advice as it is very rarely listened to, especially by the young (talking from ancient experience)
It used to worry me that I didn't know what I was going to do about a career. Then one day I realised that my life is my career,since then I have enjoyed life, including the ups and downs which you cannot escape.
Stop faffing about and start living your life, get a job, any job and while you are working amongst other people you will realise that you are not alone in wondering about what you want as a career.
There are a lot of miserable people spending their lives in career jobs.
End of speech, sorry it went on a bit
What Next?
Posted by: Craig | 24.08.2008 10:04am
Okay, first of all look at the subjects you have studied and what you feel strong at doing, once you have done that you need to go persue a career in this field.
myself i am studying Forensics Science at Hartlepool and one of the core modules of this is Criminology, i got a Distinction in this and am hoping to persue a career in this field, i had no idea where i could go, with a little research i have many areas open for me from, Prison Officer to working for the Government as a Researcher.
Good Luck =]
Education
Posted by: Kimberley Hopkinson | 16.08.2008 07:41pm
At sixteen I hadn't a clue what I wanted to do, so I just got an office job and enjoyed earning money for a few years. Then I realised I needed qualifications to get on, so went back to college for a year. This was a bit of a pattern throughout my life, I ended up doing a degree with the OU in my thirties! Have just celebrated my 50th birthday with five years in my new career, teaching, and gained promotion to senior management. So, life is about always learning and being flexible - you've plenty of time to find out what you want to do, so just enjoy yourself in the meantime!
Education
Posted by: Anonymous | 16.08.2008 04:07pm
Dear Sabrina,
I oticed that you value life, that's a good start!