Taking time out and getting support helped Betsan find her direction.
Betsan, 18, from near Aberystwyth, had just finished sixth form.
She had secured a place at university to study agriculture. However, she decided to defer her offer to take time to reflect on her next steps.
She said, "I wasn’t sure if university was the right thing for me or if I even wanted to stay in agriculture. I didn’t know what path to take."
Exploring options
Wanting to understand what opportunities were available, Betsan contacted Working Wales for support.
She met with a careers adviser, Claire, on a video call. They began exploring different routes, including apprenticeships, jobs and further study.
Betsan has a strong interest in agriculture, particularly livestock farming. She grew up on a smallholding but felt she lacked experience in the sector.
During her first appointment, Betsan was introduced to the Start to Farm programme through Farming Connect.
She said, "I didn’t know anything about the programme before. If I hadn’t spoken to Working Wales, I definitely wouldn’t have applied."
Building confidence through experience
Although the application deadline was very close, she decided to apply the same day. With Claire’s support, she completed her application and prepared for interview. She was soon offered a placement.
Betsan said, "Even just going through the application and interview process was a good experience for me."
Currently on the placement, Betsan feels it has given her the opportunity to develop her confidence.
She said, "It’s expanding my knowledge and experience. I feel like I’ll have a much better understanding before going to university."
Moving forward
Betsan now feels more confident about her next steps. She said, "I feel a lot more certain that I’ve made the right decision. I’m happier and more confident about my future."
She plans to complete her placement before starting university in September. She will also continue to explore different areas within the industry.
Betsan encourages other young people who feel unsure about their next steps to seek support.
Don’t hesitate to get help. Speaking to a careers adviser really helped me see what I could do in the future."
Betsan added, "Everyone I spoke to was friendly and easy to talk to. The advice and guidance I had was really helpful."
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