More Alternatives to University

A survey by LinkedIn revealed a 90% increase in the share of UK job postings that do not require a degree. A trend highlighting the growing emphasis on skills and practical experience over formal education.

Author

Gem Hallett
September 17, 2024

Hey parents and teachers,

In our last email, we explored some exciting alternatives to traditional university education, such as apprenticeships and vocational training. But we’re not stopping there!

There are more pathways that allow young people to shape their own future and build a career without committing to years of university study (and debt).

In this issue, we’re diving into two more: Online Learning and Entrepreneurship.

Here’s more reasons to explore alternatives to uni:

Fewer careers require a degree today!

According to LinkedIn, 77% of employees believing it’s more important to keep on top of new skills than it was 20 years ago, reducing the necessity of getting a degree, but emphasising the importance of life-long learning.

💰 Immediate Earnings: Entering the workforce directly after school allows young people to start earning money sooner, which can be particularly beneficial for those from lower-income families.

🤝 Experience: Entering the workforce directly allows individuals to gain hands-on experience and practical skills that are highly valued by employers. Building a professional network early can open doors to future career opportunities.

😊 Well-being: University can be stressful due to academic pressures and financial concerns. Avoiding these stressors can lead to better mental health and well-being.

Today lets consider these 2 options:

🚀 Option 1: Online Courses and Certifications

If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen the rise of online learning platforms like Alison, Future Learn, Open University, Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy. These aren’t just for picking up a hobby—online courses are becoming a popular way to gain job-ready skills quickly, affordably, and flexibly.

  • Flexible and Affordable: Learn at own pace, fitting studies around other commitments like part-time work or college. Many platforms offer free courses - there are hundreds online!

  • Focused Learning: Pick and choose courses to create a personalised learning path exactly - focus on learning what’s valuable, whether it’s coding in Python, mastering social media marketing, or learning how use AI tools.

How to Get Started? You can get more details here, and as always we share the best ones we find on our social channels @mifutureHQ – make sure to follow us there.

Example of an opportunity we share

Certifications that employers value
Microsoft, Google, Amazon and IBM now offer industry-specific certificates in fields like Coding, Analytics, Cloud, and Data, leading to specific qualifications in high-demand areas without spending three years in a classroom.

Example of an opportunity we share

🚀 Option 2: Entrepreneurship

There’s never been a better time to give entrepreneurship a try. With platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and Fiverr, it’s possible to turn your skills into a business—whether it’s selling handcrafted goods, offering freelance coding services, or creating digital products.

With social media, YouTube and multiple ways to reach an audience, building a brand and reaching communities and customers.

  • Limitless potential: There’s no saying how far an idea can grow. Whether it’s a side hustle or a full-time gig, they can dictate their income and schedule.

  • Build a personal brand: In today’s digital world, building a strong online presence can open doors. Having a personal brand builds credibility and attracts opportunities.

  • Low barrier to entry: Gone are the days when starting a business required a huge investment. Today, you can kick off with just a laptop, time, and a small budget.

I love being a Big Ideas Wales Role model, visiting schools, colleges and universities to raise awareness of entrepreneurship as a viable and exciting career opportunity. Big Ideas Wales can further help young people take a seed of an idea and help explore turning it into a business. There’s so many ways young people can create a personal brand, solve a problem or create a product or service before even turning the idea into an actual business. Just explore first and we’ll ‘business it-up’ if and when it gains some traction.

Gem

How to Get Started? Organisations like Business Wales, Big Ideas Wales, and The Prince’s Trust offer support, funding, and guidance to help young entrepreneurs succeed. Whether you're looking for advice, training, or start-up funding, these programmes are here to support you every step of the way.

The kind of opportunity we share

Thank you for reading!

I hope this newsletter has provided valuable insights into the alternatives to university available for your young people.

📩Keep an eye out for the next newsletter from me; I’ll share more on the importance of Digital Skills for the next generation of careers.

Did you know we are on TikTok?

@mifuturehq

Skills are the currency you need in today's technology-driven job market. With IBM #SkillsBuild, you can boost your skills as you explor... See more

If I can be of any more help on this, let me know.

You've got this 😎✌️

Gem Hallett, miFuture Founder

miFuture.co.uk | @miFutureHQ

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