Exam results day: Why a career in care could be the perfect next step
Exam results day can bring a mixture of emotions. Whether you’re celebrating the grades you hoped for, considering your next steps, or figuring out what to do after an unexpected result, it’s worth remembering that your results don’t define your future.
There are many routes into a rewarding career, and care is one that offers the opportunity to make a real difference while building valuable skills and experience.
For some, working in care can be a positive stepping stone towards a future career in healthcare. For others, it can be the beginning of a rewarding career in its own right. And if your results weren’t what you hoped for, care can offer the chance to start earning, learning and developing your career without putting your ambitions on hold.
Got the results you were hoping for? Start building healthcare experience
If you’ve achieved the grades you wanted and are thinking about a future in healthcare, working in care could be a great way to gain practical experience alongside your studies or before taking your next step.
A role in care gives you the opportunity to develop skills that are valuable across the wider healthcare sector, including communication, teamwork, compassion, problem-solving and working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
You’ll also gain first-hand insight into what it means to support people with their health, wellbeing and independence. This experience can help you understand whether a career in healthcare is right for you. It is not something just anyone can do!
Most importantly, care isn’t simply something to do until you move on. For many people, it becomes the start of a fulfilling, long-term career. Many senior managers here at Cera started working as carers on the frontline. You can discover more about their stories on our career development page.
I have been a carer for 12+ years.
I love my job and getting to help people. Being a carer is very rewarding and worth it knowing that our clients trust and appreciate us doing all we can for them.
Didn’t get the qualifications you were hoping for? You can still build a career in care
If your results weren’t what you expected, it can be easy to feel as though your options are more limited, but there are plenty of ways to build a successful career without following a traditional academic route.
Care is a sector where your attitude, compassion and willingness to learn can be just as important as your previous qualifications or experience.
You don’t necessarily need previous care experience to get started. At Cera, we provide full training and support to help you develop the knowledge and confidence you need to become a professional carer.
This means your exam results don’t have to determine what comes next. You can start building valuable skills, earning an income and discovering a career that you may not have considered before.
Retaking your exams? You can earn while you learn
Perhaps you’re planning to retake your exams, reapply for further education or take some time to work out your next move. Starting a career in care doesn’t mean you have to give up on those plans.
Working at Cera gives you the opportunity to earn while gaining practical experience and developing skills that can support your future ambitions.
Whether care becomes a stepping stone towards another healthcare career or you discover that it’s the career you want to pursue long-term, you’ll be gaining experience and qualifications along the way.
Build your career through an apprenticeship
If you’re looking to combine work with formal qualifications, apprenticeships and training courses can be an excellent way to progress.
At Cera, employees can access a wide range of courses, from care-focused qualifications such as Lead Adult Care Worker through to higher-level programmes in management and leadership.
You can gain recognised qualifications whilst earning a wage and putting what you learn into practice every day. It’s a route that allows you to develop your career without having to choose between gaining experience and gaining qualifications.
Still not sure? Why not check out Carly's story about finding purpose through a career in care.
Every day I'm building my knowledge and learning something new, this job has opened my eyes to
so many opportunities.
Whatever your results, there isn’t just one route to a successful future.
For some people, care can provide valuable experience before progressing into nursing, medicine or another healthcare profession. For others, it can open the door to a career in care itself, with opportunities to progress into specialist care, training, quality, management and leadership.
Don't forget, your exam results are one moment in your journey. They don’t have to determine where that journey takes you.
Ready to see what a career in care could look like? Discover how far you can go with Cera and explore our current opportunities.
More about working in care
Careers in care - from feeling stuck to finding purpose
As a young person leaving school or figuring out your next steps, it can all feel very overwhelming.
How to write a CV for care work with no experience
If you are looking for a meaningful and rewarding career, it is easy to see why care work is a fantastic option.