So, after a careful consideration on what subjects to study at school to make your dream of an energy career a reality, you’re possibly wondering what happens after you sit your exams. The world of education and work has never been more flexible and accommodating with study and employment pathways to suit everyone, so let’s take a look at some of the most popular routes to building your ideal future career in the energy sector.

When 2 plus 2 equals 5: doing the college and university double

 A 2+2 option might sound like something you learn on your first day at primary school. However, it’s becoming a very popular, and highly flexible, route into education and work.

It’s basically a way of starting off your studies in a local college for two years before transferring across to university for the final two years of your further education. That can help you build your skills and confidence in smaller-sized, practical classes before moving on to more traditional academic study at university. Many colleges are currently ramping up their offering around energy sector-related disciplines, determined to offer excellent opportunities for their learners to enter and embrace emerging industries

Every year, thousands of students across the UK enter degree courses at university after completing a Higher National (HN) qualification at college.

If you didn’t get the Higher grades or A-Levels needed to get onto the degree course of your choice, the 2+2 route via college can be a great stepping-stone to your preferred university course.

Oops: second thoughts about your first choice

So, you did well in your Highers or A-Levels and were inundated with unconditional offers from every university that you applied to. Then you got there and quickly realised that the course you’d always had your heart set on just wasn’t for you.

You wouldn’t be the first undergraduate or college fresher to think you’ve made a big mistake. Lady Gaga, Madonna, Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, and Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, all dropped out of college, and it didn’t hold any of them back.

You’re also not alone: each year 16% of students across the UK decide to change their course or university. And guess what? It’s not remotely the end of the world. In fact, it’s a good thing because you now have greater clarity about what really interests you.

If you decide that the subject you’re studying isn’t quite right for you, you can transfer onto a different course – either at the same university, or a new university or college. The first thing to do is speak to your course tutor or study supervisor and discuss the options with them.

But remember, the good news is that you do have options. You can always go back to school, change your degree or job, do another apprenticeship, or even re-train. Talent, ambition and success are not dependent on qualifications. College or university is just a means to an end. It’s not the end in itself.