Do I get back into education at 21?
It's been 3 years since I decided not to go to University. I was in the GCSE years that didn't sit proper exams due to COVID, nor was I that academic so I got mediocre GCSE grades. I'm thankful to have passed them all and then I decided to move onto college where I studied a Level 3 in National Extended Business Diploma. I got a Distinction, Distinction, Merit. I never really knew what I wanted to do after college. I specifically chose to do business because I was interested in it at GCSES and learning it at college was great, but I'm not really sure where to go now. It has been three years, and I never wanted to take the traditional route of going to University. My family were happy in me doing whatever I wanted to do, so I had an overwhelming amount of support around me to do what makes me happy. I don't know what makes me happy though.
I've been trying to look for an apprenticeship for three years now and whilst doing that, I went straight into general work after college such as retail and education work. Currently, I have been a teaching assistant for two years now. It is a job that I came across through a recommendation by family and they were easily hiring. Coming into the role, I was super passionate about wanting to work with children but now I feel burnt out from working with children.
It has been hard work finding a job in a different sector. I think being a teaching assistant has taught me that I love helping people but not in a school aspect anymore. I've tried endlessly looking for entry level jobs in admin and receptionist roles, however no one is answering me even though I am making constant efforts in making my CV better and trying to be more skilful. The more I look for an apprenticeship, the more I want to give up. The job economy is so unbelievably difficult and I'm not sure how I can 'stand out' to employers especially when I don't have the most experience. I know that I possess transferable skills, but even finding an entry level job is so difficult.
Although I already possess a Level 3 in Business, I feel like I chose that as a safe subject because it was something I was interested in but not really so anymore. I want to potentially do a Level 3 access course in healthcare, and then if it works out for me, I would go onto University and do a potential foundation year first to ease into it. September is approaching and it's weird because I never had this thought of going back into education, but I've had this urge to want to learn after this huge gap. I know if I went straight into university at 18, I probably would have dropped out but now I just want to do it so badly. I don't want to rush into it, so I am giving myself time as I know there isn't a deadline into starting a new career but I'm just not sure how to do it.
I feel like my life is so stationary at the moment. I'm at that point where I know I'm young, and I've worked so hard not to compare my timeline with others however I just feel like I need to be moving. I'm sick of feeling stuck, not knowing what to do. I KNOW it's normal but I really just want to make a change and learn.
If anyone could give any advice on where to start 'learning'. Do I keep looking for an apprenticeship? How do I stand out? Do I go to University?