Ashleigh's story

Ashleigh is about to finish in the sixth form and complete her A level exams in ICT and philosophy. After this, she plans to go to a local further education college to do a Foundation degree in hospitality management.

Ashleigh has had some experience in this area, helping her Dad, who is a chef, and organising buffets for large events. She wants to continue with her education, but would like a course that is going to be practical and prepare her for a career path that she knows she would like to follow.

Ashleigh researched the course by looking at the college prospectus, going to the college open day, contacting student advisers at the college and gaining advice from her Connexions personal adviser. It is a two-year course and combines some theory and lecture work in college with at least a 20 week placement with an employer in the first year.

'I'm a people person and I want to use my personal skills in a career; it's what I'm good at. If I do well on the work placement I might even get offered a job.'

At the end of the two years, Ashleigh could move on to university and complete an extra year to top up her qualification to a full honours degree or go into the workplace and progress with her professional qualifications.