u/eggpotion

Hi everyone.

Would anyone like to join a group on whatsapp for gap year people to connect and share experiences, make new friends, give advice, just listen, and stay grounded!

For those based near Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent, Greater London, areas surrounding London, Essex, Herts, Bedford

Anyone is welcome, you don't have to be from these places or even in a gap year.

Can you just reply to this post if you are interested

I need some perspective cuz I am considering either a gap year + reapply, or just go to warwick for EEE

Like is the debt as bad as it is shown to be online by extremist non university influencers

Did you end up getting a graduate role after your apprenticeship? Or stay at the company?

Do u think in the long run it would be worth it

Thank u guys

Y13 leaver entering gap year. I had an offer for mech eng at Warwick. I could switch to EEE

Is it worth a gap year to reapply which is a bit risky. And the process is longer.

Or should I just take the debt and less reasons to stand out when going for grad roles

Like are DA really that worth it?

I'm just wondering if a level 6 qualification at a college for example is seen as different from a degree, by companies recruiting graduates, for example.

So are Level 6 apprenticeships better or worse than a degree apprenticeship (where you actually get a bachelors degree)

I'm thinking of going away from the UK in my gap year - to work and just experience something different.

But would this make things complicated for example if they want me to do an in person interview or assessment centre.

Are there workarounds if I can't make it to an assessment centre.

Should I just stay in the uk?

TLDR at the bottom.

I just finished A levels with AAA and for a year I applied to over 60 companies big and small.

I'm thinking mechanical, aerospace, maybe civil, design focused roles. Not a repair technician. Someone who designs, builds, and installs the machines. And teaches repair technicians how to fix it. CAD, drawing, client work.

I'm asking because I have the option to take an apprenticeship in a smaller company to start in September this year.

Or I can risk and take a "gap year" to be able to apply to big companies. I think I have a good shot, I've improved massively and got to 6 final stages in my 60 applications. I kinda bummed the first few cuz I wasn't so focused and didn't prepare much.

In my gap year I would be helping my parents with work, and hopefully get a job. And focus on some engineering related hobbies

So TLDR:

Take the small company this year. Or do a gap year, apply to all the big ones, and risk not getting any at all (plus a year of time gone).

How does my choice impact my future career path?

I keep seeing people say All Of Them is their favourite track on revolver.

I listened to Revolver many times, I'm familiar with every song

I've already purchased 3 of them online (£20 GBP each Wilkinson M series 6.8k) but anyways I liked how they are thinner and fully chrome

Does this make things awkward electrically with resistance or currents - or the magnetic fields, or something?

PS I'm 3d printing another pickguard

I'm beginning to not like civil engineering much... i prefer designing and working with my hands but this apprenticeship (transport related) just seems boring to me.

Transport schemes, surveys, data analysis, safety reviews, probably not much CAD and drawing

Is civil engineering more hands on ever? Or is all civil engineering just office based.

It doesn't even sound like I'd be an engineer for them, only some kind of administrator and doing boring work

Usually they are 5 years or 6.

For electrical and electronic engineering - I'm also looking for mechanical, civil and a bit of aerospace or building services

If I'm applying for low skill part time work like retail, leisure centre, waiter, should I say I'm on a gap year?

And also will they expect me to leave after a year? Do I just lie and make up some story like I'm a musician and trying to make my own music (I do play musical insgruments).

Cuz in a year hopefully I'll get an apprenticeship in engineering

This civil engineering apprenticeship with Hampshire County Council immediately says something like "are you someone with civil engineering experience" as if they don't take school leavers.

After reading the rest of the listing, it seems to me like they are looking for someone who already worked in civil engineering but wants a degree for some reason?

It's also a 4 year program, and the salary is quite high (33,178 - 36,369)

I've mainly stuck to degree apprenticeships in engineering - roles that typically include designing, CAD, client projects, maybe some assembly or hand work.

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I've stuck with civil, structural, building services, electrical, mechanical, and 'design'

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however...

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I'm not sure if a level 4 technician in a manufacturing site/ workshop will leave me stuck in similar roles after I complete the apprenticeship.

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I'm not sure if that's what I'd want to do. I wouldn't mind it for a few years as I quite enjoy that sort of stuff (I've done some DT, and my dad does some DIY).

\-

My question:

\-

So could I progress to some higher skill more theoretical and possibly well paid jobs? Not necessarily in what I first suggested.

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P.S. A level leaver + gap year

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I'd really like anything that will start this September (which I'm applying, every day). So not sure if it's worth waiting a year just for a level 6 in something more sit-down

I'm applying for engineering - civil, building services, structural, also mech and elec.

Currently a lot of smaller companies and firms are on government website for start this September.

I really want to start this September or soon and not take a year off.

Would it be so horrible that I would have to quit and restart? Salaries range from 20-24k I think

I've mainly stuck to degree apprenticeships in engineering - roles that typically include designing, CAD, client projects, maybe some assembly or hand work.

-

I've stuck with civil, structural, building services, electrical, mechanical, and 'design'

-

however...

-

I'm not sure if a level 4 technician in a manufacturing site/ workshop will leave me stuck in similar roles after I complete the apprenticeship.

-

I'm not sure if that's what I'd want to do. I wouldn't mind it for a few years as I quite enjoy that sort of stuff (I've done some DT, and my dad does some DIY).

-

My question:

-

So could I progress to some higher skill more theoretical and possibly well paid jobs? Not necessarily in what I first suggested.

-

P.S. A level leaver + gap year

-

I'd really like anything that will start this September (which I'm applying, every day). So not sure if it's worth waiting a year just for a level 6 in something more sit-down

I'm in y13 with incoming AAA I think in math physics and DT. I have an offer from warwick for mechanical engineering bachelors degree but at the same time i still really want an apprenticeship way more than uni.

If I take a gap year how risky is it actually? I was just going to spam applications every day and work part time - im looking for work rn.

But uni is safer cuz I can just stay in my course if I don't get the apprenticeship.

But then I get the debt and difficulty in finding a grad job

I'm in year 13 btw and just stuck between the two.

​

Brunel is close to my home.

I can save money from rent, and energy from things like cooking and moving my belongings

​

But Warwick is "better." Idk how it's better or why this even matters...

And I'll be staying with 3 other school friends

And living independently which will be exciting

​

​

Thanks you

I like drawing people's faces - people i know, sometimes girls I find attractive or people I just find interesting.

Like people at school who i see but don't talk to. I've done family members and friends too. I just draw from my phone screen

Only a few people actually know I like drawing but nobody knows I collect drawings of people i know in a book 😅

My test is about 5 days after my insurance policy ends. I was thinking to get insured for only a short period - just up to and including the driving test, as it might be cheaper than 30 days insurance (under £90 i think)

Sorry if this is the wrong subteddit but i have a weird situation - phone chargers fine and cable is fine but together they don't work!!

Yesterday my charger was charging my phone fine. Suddenly it doesn't work. A few times it said check the connection of the charger.

But my phone can be charged with other 2 other cables...

And the charger has been able to charge some headphones, earbuds, and a power bank...