hello@futuresadvice.org
Futures
57 Maid Marian Way
Nottingham
NG1 6GE
17th October, 2025
Reading time: Two minutes
Leaving education can be a daunting time for many young people. Without a clear path, it’s easy to feel lost or overwhelmed, especially when university doesn’t feel like the right path.
According to Youth Employment UK, over 60% of young people feel uncertain about their future after leaving education, and many struggle to match their skills to suitable job opportunities.
Jessica, 18, from Nottingham, found herself in this exact situation.
After completing a BTEC Level 3 in Sports, Jessica realised her interests were shifting and she needed help navigating her next steps. With limited availability due to caring responsibilities for her younger brother, she was struggling to find work, feeling unsure about the path she wanted to take, and overwhelmed by the job searching process.
Jessica turned to Futures for support. What she found was personalised, empowering guidance that helped her discover a new career direction and secure an apprenticeship in education.
Jessica was supported by Michaella Stokes, a Futures adviser who provided:
With Michaella’s help, Jessica applied for a Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship, a role that aligned with her evolving interests and offered a clear path into the education sector.
I'd been struggling for months to find a job and felt quite lost about what I really wanted to do. Having the support from Michaella made a huge different in my job search - she opened opportunities for me to explore different types of jobs and courses. She's been an amazing support system and made finding a job a lot less stressful.
Jessica was offered the apprenticeship and is awaiting her start date. She’s excited about the opportunity and is already considering further qualifications to grow her career in education. The support she received made the job search less stressful and helped her feel more confident about her future.
Jessica landed the perfect job, her proactive spirit and dedication truly paid off. She didn’t just wait for opportunities; she created them and absolutely nailed it!
If Jessica’s story sounds familiar and you’re unsure about your next steps after education, Futures is here to help.
Whether you’re exploring career options, applying for jobs, or considering apprenticeships, our team offers personalised support to help you succeed.
If you're particularly interested in becoming a Teaching Assistant, take a look at our free Teaching Assistant training course, which runs from our Nottingham and Mansfield centres.
Fill out our contact form to get started today.
hello@futuresadvice.org
Futures
57 Maid Marian Way
Nottingham
NG1 6GE