Education should open doors: but young people also need honest advice about where those doors actually lead

But they are not always given enough clear information about the course, the career options afterwards, student loans, interest, or other routes they could take instead.

The problem is not university itself. For many students, university is absolutely the right choice and can change their lives. The problem is when students are pushed towards higher education without properly understanding whether a specific course suits their strengths, interests and future plans. Some degrees lead clearly into strong careers, while others may not. Students deserve to know this before making such a big decision.

This matters because education should prepare young people for real life, not just give them a certificate. If students spend years studying a course that does not help them get meaningful work, they may leave education feeling frustrated, disappointed and unsure what to do next. At the same time, many employers still say they cannot find people with the right practical, technical or professional skills. That shows there is a gap between what some young people are studying and what the working world actually needs.

This also links to the growing concern around young people who are not in education, employment or training. Some young people leave school without the grades, confidence or direction they need. Others go to college or university but still struggle to find a job afterwards. In many cases, this is not because they lack ambition. It is because they have not had enough clear guidance about the best path for them.

At MyEducate, we believe students need more than encouragement. They need proper guidance. That means honest conversations about university, apprenticeships, college courses, work experience, professional training, starting a business, and different career routes. It also means helping young people understand that every choice has a cost: choosing one path usually means giving up another, so they should make that choice with good information.

Education should never be treated as one-size-fits-all. University can be the right path, but it is not the only path. Apprenticeships, technical training, skilled trades, creative careers, business, and direct work with further training can also lead to excellent futures. The purpose of education is not just to produce certificates. It is to help young people become capable, confident and ready for real opportunities. That is the kind of education MyEducate stands for.