Qualifying for Careers

[Iverian Gnash]

What happens if you don't receive the grade needed on an O.W.L./N.E.W.T? When Harry didn't get an Outstanding on his Potions O.W.L., he wouldn't have been able to take Potions then for sixth and seventh year if it wasn't for Slughorn accepting E's. This would have affected his chances later on of being an Auror because of his lack of a Potions N.E.W.T.

For some careers like being an Auror, there are certain qualifications that come with it, like earning five N.E.W.T.'s of at least Exceeds Expectations. Other careers, no doubt, also have a minimum academic requirement as well that students have to reach in order to qualify for that career when they graduate. This puts a lot of stress on students to perform well because they may not have their dream job if they don't.

This begs the question, what if you don't earn all five N.E.W.T.'s/you don't match the requirements for that career? Are you disqualified from that career or is there still a way to make it in that field with extra training? Do you think these jobs offer alternate programs to meet their requirements or is it a one chance, you either pass your test or you can't work here?

[Mia Fountain]

I think there would be alternate ways for students to enter their field of choice. The alternate ways could include: retaking the tests at the Ministry of Magic, apprenticing, or self study.

If they only allowed students to retake the tests, that could still cause students that have test anxiety or learn well by reading/writing, to fail their tests. Apprenticeships could work best for those students, as well as students who may want to have a more targeted education relating to their field of choice. Self study could have its issues, such as maintaining your focus enough to learn, and trying to get yourself to be taken seriously by those who entered the field of work by the more traditional means of passing their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s.

[February Fortescue]

It reminds me of the muggle world. For some career paths, there are strict requirements. If you want to become a Physician, you must obtain certain medical degrees in order to practice medicine. In America, if you want to become a Social Worker and you like in Kentucky, the requirements are based on the career you are pursuing. You may not only be required to have not only a 4 year Bachelors in Social Work degree, but also an additional Masters in Social Work, which can add on two years. You may also have to pass a State test in order to get your License.

In the wizarding world, there doesn't appear to be any formal education beyond Hogwarts, such as a college or university. The students may have strict OWL and/or NEWT requirements in order to enter certain fields, such as becoming an Auror. That's how it appeared to me when I read the books, especially chapters such as Career Advice from Order of the Phoenix.