A level what exactly? (Are 'A' levels still the educational gold standard?)

Name: Blurbubble

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Product:	Are 'A' levels still the educational gold standard?
Date:	07/10/01 (72 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The key to further education/profession.

Disadvantages: No value on their own

Hmm, we're told all through our childhood and teens to go to school, study hard, get our exams etc if we want to get a good job and get on in life - but just how vital is this?

I myself am the grand old age of 34 and attained 7 'O' Levels and 3'A' Levels during my education days aswell as certificates for typing and word processing.

I opted not to go further after 'A' levels as I was both desperate to leave home and earn money as well as not really knowing what I wanted to pursue either in further education or careerwise.

So at the age of 19 I took my first job in the advertising department of the local newspaper and have had more than a handful of jobs of all descriptions since. I've done sales work, secretarial work, temping, shop work, and worked as a council housing officer among other jobs.

Not once, during all my numerous applications/interviews for these jobs was any evidence of my 'O' or 'A' levels asked for or any but the briefest (in my last job) interest shown in them. I even remember one fellow interviewing me and when I told him of my exam results I got the response -"A level what? So what are they then? We never had them in my day!"

I get the feeling a lot of more recent school leavers will probably get a similar response with the newer GCSEs and AS levels and whatever else evolves to replace/enhance such school exams.

On more than one occasion I felt I had almost "wasted" two years of potential earning time in studying for my A levels when met with such responses!

In my last job more notice was taken as I was to study for a Professional qualificayion in Housing and A levels were an entry requirement in some cases but other than that they have served as little more than bits of paper in my the bottom drawer of my sideboard.

For those who know they intend to pursue a University Degree or attend a Professional Qualif
ication course then fair enough, you usually have to have A levels to enter these but for those biding their time I would beg to differ.

A levels most certainly aren't the educational gold standard in my opinion - they are a mid-point between O levels/GCSEs and a degree, so if you are not planning on further education or entering a particular profession that required them then I would say forget it and go out into the world and start earning!

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