Finding the right career is a task pushed on us from as young as secondary school. But how do you discover which path is best for you?
More than ever, higher education has become a make-or-break tool for young individuals to excel in their careers. However, in the UK, the number of young adults not in further education or employment (NEET) is rising. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS)‘ latest data, the total figure of NEET young adults in the UK is 946,000.
At Inside Success, we care about providing adequate tools for young people to help them in the right direction to achieve their goals. A large part of why the younger generation is NEET is due to a lack of access to resources. Even if they are ambitious about their future, what is the best direction for them to attain it? And is it cost-effective for those who come from lower-income families?
Take a look at some of the tools we’ve devised on what the best educational ladder could be for you!
Finding Your Path
While we can’t tell you exactly what you should be doing, we can definitely guide you in the right direction. And that direction is extremely dependent on the path you’re interested in taking. If you’re 16, chances are, you might not know exactly what you want to do for a career, but there is a likelihood that you have a brief idea.
University or Apprenticeship?
If you’re struggling to figure out whether going to university or undergoing an apprenticeship is the best career decision for you, the first thing you want to do is research the career you’re aspiring to achieve. What do the top organisations that operate in that field say? What do the work experiences of the CEOs, managers, and people in senior positions of that role look like?
That’s not to say you need to undergo a direct copy and paste of their career path; moreover, it can be used as a guide. An inspiration. By checking out what the top people have achieved, you can have a better indication of whether your dream job requires university credentials or whether apprenticeships are sufficient.
The large difference between the two is that a university is typically more academically driven, while apprenticeships are all about developing hands-on and immediate industry experience. It all depends on the area you’re keen to branch into or expand on. On rare occasions, it could also be that either option is a good way to gain experience. If that happens, the decision ultimately comes down to a pros and cons list of which career path you think you can gain more from and enjoy the most. Since the latter is also just as important.
Don’t Be Scared to Pivot
For the average person, developing their career is often far from a linear process. There are twists and turns along the way. Sometimes, even barriers. Some of the most successful people have found themselves expanding into side hustles or expanding their expertise into other areas, because the path to achieving their dream wasn’t one simple route.
Key examples of this include Green Party member of parliament (MP), Hannah Spencer, who, during the process of building a career as a reliable and well-respected MP, trained as a plumber. Or Lily Allen, a famous singer-songwriter who in 2024 launched an OnlyFans account.
Don’t Be Scared to Take A Break
Similarly to our previous point about pivoting, the same applies to career breaks. If you’ve found yourself uncertain or deflated by the whole process of embarking on your career, sometimes the best solution is taking a break. Pausing that side of things to work on a side hustle. This space allows for clarity and is often recommended.
In 2021, British actor Michaela Coel went viral for a moving speech she made while receiving her Emmy-Award.
“In a world that entices us to browse through the lives of others, to help us better determine how we feel about ourselves. And to inturn, feel the need to be constantly visible. For visibility, these days seems to somehow equate to success. Do not be afraid to disappear. From it, from us, for a while and see what comes to you in the silence,” she says.
The actor addressed this speech to screenwriters, and goes on to thank her co-stars, and members of the community her TV show depicts being affected. While Cole speaks of a specific topic in that acceptance speech, for the most part, she addresses the importance of giving yourself time. Allowing yourself the grace of taking a step back. Because there are no time restrictions to success.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Time
Prime examples of how career success isn’t measurable on time include Vera Wang, a prolific fashion designer who didn’t make it in the industry until age 40. Or Jack Cover, who made it as a successful entrepreneur at the age of 50. Perhaps even Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as her artistic moniker Grandma Moses, who began her successful painting career at 78. Whether it be taking your time or taking a break, making the best career choice ultimately comes down to doing what works best for you. And that often takes several years of grafting.
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What Are Experts Saying?
Right now, the job market is shifting, and degrees are no longer the blueprint. In fact, ‘skills’ are becoming more of a benchmark. According to Always Designing for People (ADP)’s 2025 report, it shared that:
“Most companies (90%) using a skills-based hiring method report reducing their mis-hires, and 94% agree that skills-based hiring is more predictive of on-the-job success than résumés.⁶” By that standard, ADP express that large portions of companies are seeking skill-based educational backgrounds in candidates, because statistics show they’re more likely to be successful.
With that being said, according to the World Economic Forum, its 2025 report, it stated: “Analytical thinking remains the most sought-after core skill among employers, with 7/10 companies considering it as essential in 2025. This is followed by resilience, flexibility and agility, along with leadership and social influence.”
What Happens Next?
If you’re a young adult, aged between 16 – 24, and are looking for your first or next career venture. Take a read of our previous article, ‘Join the Evolution: Build A Succesful Career with Inside Success.’ Throughout it, we break down the work and mentorship opportunities we host at Inside Success. You can also sign up here to join the Inside Success community. Where you can keep up to date on work and career development experience.
Laviea Thomas is a journalist at Inside Success who writes about film, music and politics.
Outside of that, she is an experienced freelance journalist with bylines in NME, The Quietus, Metal Hammer and more.
Over the years, Laviea has been an active panellist discussing fundamental conversations in the music industry, such as diversity and inclusion, and the importance of grassroots venues. She has been a panel guest for Kerrang! Focus Wales Festival, Future Yard and more.
