What career if you don't like maths?

[Missillusioned]

16 year old with general good predicted GCSE grades. GCSE grade C in maths. Doesnt like maths and doesn't want to resit or continue with it. Not interested in healthcare. Favourite subject is history.

What careers would be a good fit to aim for? As in good or reasonable income and/or plenty of opportunities.

[sleepismysuperpower1]

journalist
heritage manager
teacher

[Missillusioned]

I don't think the maths is good enough for teaching is it? Although 16 yr old doesn't want to teach I don't think.

[sleepismysuperpower1]

If they were a secondary school teacher they could specialize in a subject like history

[ArriettyJones]

Those are still very broad criteria.

What does s/he enjoy doing? (Leisure activities, interests, aspects of schoolwork rather than subjects). What skills does s/he have?

From this point on, any and all work experience is probably helpful in terms of exposure to workplace culture and sector possibilities.

[ComtesseDeSpair]

The working world is larger than any 16-year-old can conceive of and, let’s face it, outside of a few vocations most adults don’t do a job which bears much relevance to their favourite subject at school or even what they studied at university (and unfortunately, many career paths which are “subject” based are very competitive yet low paid.)

I have a history degree. I work in governance and compliance in the Civil Service. Prior to that I worked in similar roles in housing associations. At more senior levels it’s well paid, the work is interesting and fulfilling and supports the public good. I use the skills I learned from my degree rather than the actual subject knowledge - I have yet to have to explain in a professional capacity the Chinese agrarian economy circa 40BCE and alas, can’t imagine I ever will.

As a previous poster says - career choice is broader than what you liked doing at school. What does DS enjoy doing in his spare time? Is he competitive? Does he like leading? Is he interested in how things work or how to make them work?

[Missillusioned]

There lies the problem. 16 year old doesn't seem to have any hobbies or interests outside of youtube and social media. Is signed up to do a levels next year at 6th form just because doesn't know what else to do. I'm not keen on drifting onto a degree with the same reasoning.

I am struggling to motivate re work experience - not confident enough to want to do it. Dislikes public speaking. Did like design, but it's taking it at A level because now decided it's boring. At one point applied for a craft apprenticeship with a local manufacturing firm, but backed out at interview stage when it all got a bit too real.

I just want a few ideas to try and motivate. Doesn't have to include a degree.

[ArriettyJones]

Craft and design sound hopeful avenues then? It’s just the confidence to follow through on them that needs work?

Has the A level selection been finalised?

[Juiceey]

I think it's fine to be 16 and have no idea. Let them go to college, get a part time job somewhere and build some independence, and worry about it next summer when it's time to apply for uni.

[Iwalkinmyclothing]

I'm not really sure what's wrong with doing A Levels and even a first degree without being certain of career goals? My first degree was psychology, I did not go into psychology as a career but having the degree at all was what got me into my first job and then years later onto an MA course. A degree is so much more than a qualification in the particular subject, IMO.

[ITonyah]

Play to his strengths, ie.the subjects he did best in at gcse.

Dd wamts to do a Theology degree and has no idea what she wants to do afterwards. Not a priest!

[AristotleAteMyHamster]

What are they like at English? Marketing / communications might be an area to consider.

[Missillusioned]

Thanks all. I don't think you need a definite career path at 16, just that it would be nice to have some options to think about. I did think the design tech was a good idea, but teen has inexplicably decided against it as being too much work, despite being predicted an A at GCSE.

Current A level options are history, psychology and an applied level 3 diploma in criminology. I don't think the criminology is a good choice, but teen has dug heels in over it.

I'm not automatically assuming teen will be doing a degree. Doesn't seem to want to and I'm not sold on the wisdom of doing one for the sake of it and accruing a lot of debt. Although if keen I would support it.

[plunkplunkfizz]

Avoid retail. Sounded like a good option for me as an avowed maths avoider. The more I’ve progressed though, the more I’m doing maths and also being required to do it on the hop in meetings and site visits. I’d guess about half of my job has been maths from about the five years in mark.