After the exam results: choosing the next step with confidence

Results day is a significant milestone. For students and their families, it is exciting, emotional and, at times, uncertain. Whether your results are exactly what you hoped for or have prompted a rethink, the next step does not have to define the whole journey.

Careers are rarely perfectly linear - many of our colleagues at Praxis have built rewarding careers by staying curious, gaining practical experience and continuing to learn as their ambitions develop. With that in mind, here are six practical things to consider as you think about what comes next.

University, but maybe not the way you expected

If higher education is your chosen route and you have secured the grades you need, congratulations. The next few years could be hugely rewarding, academically and personally. If results day has not gone quite to plan, try not to panic. Clearing gives thousands of students each year the opportunity to find excellent courses and universities, and in some cases, it may still be possible to make a late application.

Do your research, contact admissions teams and ask questions. If you have accepted a place but are not sure you are ready to go straight away, deferring may also be worth considering. It can provide breathing space while keeping the security of a confirmed place.

Making a gap year count

After years of full-time education, it is understandable to want a break from study. Travel, work, volunteering or simply taking time to reset can all be valuable if approached with intention.

A gap year does not need to be a negative point on a CV. Good employers value experiences that show adaptability, initiative, resilience and real-world problem solving. The key is to be able to explain what you did, what you learned and how it helped you grow.

Getting your first job: it is all about getting noticed

Many people applying for entry-level roles will have similar education experience, but not everyone can demonstrate the same practical skills, attitude or self-awareness. Employers are looking for transferable skills and personal qualities shown through experience.

That experience does not have to be formal office work. Part-time jobs, volunteering, sport, caring responsibilities, school leadership roles and community activities can all demonstrate communication, organisation, teamwork, curiosity and commitment.

If you are applying for a role, research the organisation properly. Look beyond the homepage. Find out what the business does, what it values and where you might be able to contribute and learn. At Praxis, our values - We Listen, We Trust, We Inspire and We Succeed Together - shape how we work with clients and with one another, so we encourage candidates to think about how their own experiences show those behaviours in practice.

At this stage, employers are often hiring attitude, energy and potential as much as skills. Know your own story: what you have done, what you have learned and what you would like to explore next.

Taking time to think, because it is not a race

Taking time to think can feel counterintuitive when everyone is asking about your next step. But not everyone needs to move immediately into university, full-time work or a formal programme. It is acceptable to pause, provided that the pause has structure and purpose.

Use that time to build confidence and experience. Consider volunteering locally, taking a part-time job, learning a new skill or speaking to people who work in areas that interest you. Reflection is not wasted time; it can help you make more informed decisions.

Professional training can be a strong first step

University is not the only route into a rewarding career. School leaver, trainee and graduate programmes can offer structured development, recognised qualifications, mentoring and exposure to meaningful client work from an early stage. For some students, staying in Guernsey or Jersey and exploring employer-led training can be the right fit for their ambitions, learning style and circumstances.

That thinking sits behind PraxisFirst, our global early careers academy for school leavers, graduates and those looking to start a career in professional services. PraxisFirst is a paid two-year development programme that combines practical workplace experience, professional development, exposure to different areas of Praxis and ongoing coaching. Participants join as part of a cohort, gaining peer support from day one while building confidence, capability and technical knowledge.

Depending on the role, participants may also be supported to work towards recognised professional qualifications such as STEP, the professional qualification for people working in the private client world, or global accountancy examinations through ACCA, alongside structured learning through the Praxis Pathway, our internal development programme. The aim extends beyond helping people get their first job to helping them build the skills, behaviours and confidence to develop a long-term career.

Remember

Whatever you decide, try to make the decision with curiosity rather than fear. A useful question is not simply “Should I go to university?” but “What skills, experience and qualifications do I need for the career I want to build?” Once you understand that, you can work backwards and choose the route that best supports your goals.

For parents, the most valuable support is often encouragement, reassurance and practical guidance. For students, it is remembering that your future is not fixed by one set of results or one decision. Your education has brought you to this point; now you can begin to explore where your interests, strengths and ambitions might take you next.

If you are curious about a career in professional services, PraxisFirst offers the opportunity to gain real experience from day one, learn within a supportive team and start building a career with an independent global business. Find out more about PraxisFirst and careers at Praxis here.