Choosing a career: Do you need it figured out at 18? | Episode 53

Episode 53: Choosing a career: do you need it figured out at 18? Do you need to have your future career planned out by the age of 18? This episode explores the pressure many students feel to make big decisions about university, careers and their future, and why it is completely normal for plans, interests and ambitions to change over time. For students approaching university applications, career choices and life after sixth form or college, it can often feel like everyone else has their future mapped out. Social media, school expectations and conversations about careers can sometimes create the impression that successful people always knew exactly what they wanted to do. In reality, many career journeys are far less straightforward. Current students Rosie and Reece join Jon for a chat with Baasit Siddiqui, creator of the 7Cs to Thrive Framework, author of Mr Siddiqui’s Curious Careers, TV personality and Director of Siddiqui Education. Together they discuss why curiosity, confidence and staying open to opportunities can often matter more than having a fixed career plan at a young age. The conversation explores Baasit’s own journey through university, teaching, television and education work, including how unexpected experiences and challenges helped shape his career path. The episode also reflects on the pressures young people face when making decisions about university and careers, and why students should not feel defined by a single choice made at 18. The episode covers questions students often ask when thinking about careers and university, including: whether successful people always know what career they want from a young age how career plans can change over time why uncertainty about the future is completely normal what university can offer students beyond academic study how curiosity can help students discover new opportunities what happens when things do not go to plan how students can feel more confident about making future decisions why staying open to different experiences can lead to unexpected opportunities This episode is designed for students considering university, feeling uncertain about their future career, or worried about making the “right” decision at 18. It also offers valuable insight for parents, teachers and careers advisers supporting young people as they navigate career and university choices. Featuring: Baasit Siddiqui, Creator of the 7Cs to Thrive Framework, Author of Mr Siddiqui’s Curious Careers, TV Personality and Director of Siddiqui Education Reece Buckley, Micro and Molecular Biology student at Manchester Metropolitan University Rosie Glover, Law student at Durham University Hosted by Jon Cheek, Founder, UniTasterDays.com Students, Parents, Carers and Teachers - please access these FREE resources: UniTasterDays.com The Students' Guide to University Brochure The Parents’ Guide to University Brochure The Teachers' Guide to University Brochure University event incentive platform University Jargon Buster University Subject Guide Videos The Uni Guide Podcast - all episodes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.