Do you bear in mind being an adolescent and being concerned about your profession selection? At the cusp of your long term, attempting to determine your subsequent steps? FutureLearn not too long ago attended the Step Up Expo, an tournament designed to assist college and school scholars discover their schooling and profession choices – and relieve a few of that anxiousness.

On the tournament, scholars discovered steerage on GCSE choices, university alternatives, employment, coaching and hole yr alternatives. On-line studying is a useful instrument for college students, whether or not they need to be told a brand new talent, acquire an creation to a possible profession, or complement their college schooling – so in fact, we attended the development.

We additionally sought after to talk to 16-18 yr olds fascinated by their futures and know about their attitudes and figuring out of on-line studying. Did they realize it used to be an opportunity for them? Had they attempted FutureLearn earlier than? We arrange a brief survey to determine extra, and you’ll be able to discover our findings on this article. 

Tournament highlights

The Step Up Expo had a complete of seven,241 guests, together with 5,677 scholars, 1,366 oldsters, 198 lecturers, and 100 exhibitors. On the FutureLearn stand, we served over 300 sizzling beverages at our ‘Your long term is brewing’ espresso stand, and had the danger to speak to quite a lot of scholars and fogeys about the way forward for upper schooling and on-line studying alternatives.

We held two talks over the weekend – one concerning the most sensible 10 trending jobs presently, the place our spouse, Accenture, spoke about in-demand careers, together with elements like activity pleasure and salaries. Our different communicate centred round other post-school pathways, together with the potential of taking an on-line level.

Survey findings: What do teenagers recall to mind on-line studying?

To achieve a deeper perception into the perceptions and behavior associated with on-line studying amongst 16-18-year-olds, we carried out a brief survey the usage of a big touchscreen at our tournament stand. The survey used to be finished by means of 142 youngsters, offering treasured information that make clear the next key sides.

Submit-school plans and the long run

After we requested teenagers about their long term plans, 55% of respondents expressed their goal to pursue college directly after college, whilst 29% had been unsure and 17% deliberate to go into the body of workers instantly.

Whilst this displays {that a} slight majority of college leavers need to attend college, 45% are not sure or produce other plans, demonstrating that scholars don’t really feel resigned to only one schooling pathway.

On-line route enjoy and consciousness of FutureLearn

A vital selection of scholars (33%) had taken a web based route earlier than, however the majority (67%) had now not but explored this mode of studying, so attending the development used to be a superb opportunity to boost consciousness of on-line schooling and its other functions.

Best 19% of respondents had heard of FutureLearn earlier than the development. That is comprehensible bearing in mind those scholars were in full-time schooling for a few years, and in all probability haven’t thought to be on-line studying outdoor of college earlier than.

Consciousness of on-line levels

Subsequent, the survey questions broached the subject of on-line levels. The survey effects published that 46% of respondents had been conscious about the potential of pursuing a point on-line, whilst the rest 54% had been ignorant of this choice. 

The truth that nearly all of scholars had been ignorant of on-line levels highlights the will for extra consciousness round on-line studying – scholars who would possibly not attend conventional universities because of the pricetag, loss of flexibility and existence commitments (paintings and circle of relatives) would possibly to find on-line levels to be the easiest upper schooling choice.

Advantages of on-line levels

When requested about essentially the most interesting sides of on-line levels, 39% of scholars emphasized the versatility of studying anyplace, at any time – one thing that we price at FutureLearn. Whether or not you wish to have to review out of your lounge settee, to your teach trip, at a restaurant or on vacation – the rest is imaginable with a web based level.

Taking a look on the different advantages of on-line levels, 31% of scholars highlighted the cost-effectiveness, and 30% noticed it as a possibility to kickstart their careers whilst studying. You’ll be able to be told extra about some great benefits of on-line levels in our weblog put up on making ready for on-line college.

Drawbacks of on-line levels

We had been additionally fascinated about any considerations that scholars may have about pursuing a web based level. The effects indicated that 32% of respondents had been involved concerning the loss of get right of entry to to studying and social amenities, adopted intently by means of 31% expressing considerations concerning the loss of social connection. 

Moreover, 20% cited the lack to enroll in social or sports activities golf equipment, whilst 17% had been frightened about now not experiencing conventional campus studying.

Most popular on-line studying platforms

We needed to realize perception into the most typical platforms teenagers use for on-line studying. Particularly, 61% of respondents reported the usage of YouTube as their number one supply for on-line studying, adopted by means of TikTok at 25%. 

It’s now not altogether unexpected that social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok are maximum repeatedly used for schooling inside this age staff – nearly all of teenagers use social media each day, and studying on those platforms is delivered via brief, extremely attractive movies.

Insights equivalent to this can be an invaluable attention for us when developing on-line classes aimed in class or college-aged scholars one day.

Ultimate ideas

It’s transparent that 16-18 yr olds have now not but explored the entire probabilities of on-line studying. Whilst they are going to make a selection to be informed casually on social media, they’re now not but totally conscious about the opportunity of fine quality, credible on-line classes, certifications and levels, like ours – and it’s our activity to unfold consciousness of those advantages. 

By means of actively attractive with this new era of inexperienced persons, we are hoping to empower younger folks to obtain new abilities on-line and pursue their desired profession paths in some way that works for them.