Anyone give me some career advice for 15 year old DD? Thanks!

Hi , I work for the careers service . As others , I'd suggest that she chooses subjects she enjoys , better chance of doing something well if she enjoys DVD subject . The other thing would be do
Keep her A level choices as broad as possible unless she is thinking of a science /engineering type career . In terms of choice of A level , the more traditional ones tend to go down better with Universities or a combination of new and old for example English and History go well and show a flair for research and analytical skills though critical evaluaton which are skills needed in Law . She could combine that with a new A level eg sociology . Good luck

My dd is doing A-level drama and the BTEC in acting and it's the BTEC that's actually practical/vocational. In A-level drama she is doing things like studying Greek theatre and writing essays on How would you produce the Caucasian Chalk Circle?

Dd does hope to be an actress, but I reckon her A-level choices of English, Modern History and Drama should still get her into university if stage school falls through.

Drama could be good for all kinds of things, coupled with English. Writing of many kinds (plays, journalism, scripts, presentations, teaching material) and working in radio, public speaking, lecturing, teaching at many levels.

For law it helps to have a very good memory.

DH went to school (total underachiever town) with a guy who wanted to become a professional dancer. He succeeded, became a choreographer for West End shows. And then immigrated to Australia with his dancer wife. You know, that country Australia that has famously tough entry requirements point systems only desirable skillsets only wanted and all? So they must have had something that Australia saw great value in to let them in. Performing arts may not be such a bad bet. More internationally transferable than being expert in English law, I'll bet!

If she loves drama, maybe something like stage management? One of my nephews is just about to start his degree in that (on a course with a 100% employment rate) - he loves acting/dancing/singing, but isn't good enough to do it professionally and SM is something he's been doing for am dram groups for a while now

I too have a DD in Y10 who seems to be a good all-rounder. She doesn't know what she wants to do for A'levels, never mind university! We will encourage her to keep her options as open as possible with A'level choices. And not be put off by any teachers because she doesn't like them and the way they teach the subject.

I did a degree in Drama at a respected (Russell Group) university and have had all kinds of jobs, both theatrical and not (currently work in IT). Drama is not so very different from studying English, though I would say to pick a university that is considered to be academic as this will give her more leeway. Drama and English or Drama and History would also be good options and broaden her studies a bit. Friends from my course are doing everything from acting or set design or stage management all the way through to working at the BBC as a producer, radio, psychiatric nursing, sales, PR, academic at v good university, law, journalism and teaching.

I have a joint honours degree in drama and English and have had or been offered jobs in politics, pr and teaching. I didn't act at all in my drama degree. I did a design unit but mostly studied plays and theatre history.

Nothing wrong with drama

My advice is for you to allow her to choose to study the subjects she is interested in and not to push her to consider a career. She is 15. She may change her mind about careers numerous times - I know I did!

If she is doing well in GCSEs then it leaves her options open. However, 6th form study is vastly different, and IME, students who have a natural interest in their subjects do better than those who don't. As for a degree, I would say avoid Law. The only friend from uni I have who studied law is now a pianist. Those who are lawyers did other degrees and then did the conversion course. Doing drama at university does not leave options closed. I did English & Theatre studies. I now teach, as do a few friends from the course. Others work in marketing, local government journalism & recruitment. Those who have made it in showbiz all had connections anyway (famous dads mostly)

Obviously you know your DD but please allow yourself to be guided by her interests and passions as much as you can.

I'd second English and History for A level with the possibility of Drama just to AS (for the all the skills that endows). Then you do need to find a third 'academic' one to do all the way to A2 if she wants a reasonably decent Uni. Economics or politics would be good, maybe RS? It's a shame she isn't fussed or good at languages because English, History and an MFL is an excellent combination for many degrees, including Law. Is she any good at or excited by Geography? That can also be a good combination with the other two or a good choice for a full degree.

There are some excellent careers sites and advice out there. You just need to know where to look. Does her school library have a careers section? There are excellent resources around.

If she comes as far as year 12 and still has no idea for a career I would recommend choosing a pure academic subject in which she has the best ability and/or interest: English, History and Geography all good.

As others have said, a good degree from a good Uni can get you into many careers - I have a friend with a first in Theology from an RG who went very successfully into recruitment in the City (doesn't seem at first to be relevant at all!). Or if she does know what she wants to do by then, a relevant degree can be a good idea, even if it sounds a bit naff/'studies' ish; ie. if she wants to work in the media (and has a specific job and route to getting that job in mind rather than a vague aspiration), a media degree is now well thought of; if she didn't it would be a daft idea and much less acceptable than English for normal 'graduate' entry jobs, iyswim.

I'd avoid business studies at A level as it isn't favourably looked on by the type of university that her GCSE predictions suggest she might be aiming for. Economics is a good "academic" alternative.

I'd also not particularly encourage her towards a Business Studies degree. Most people in "business" don't have a degree in it. The graduates I work with either very specific degrees for their roles (e.g. engineering) or have any subject and then train on the job or through post grad qualifications.

Yotti is right - 2.1, university, subject in that order.

I work at a Uni & careers dev. now offer courses on the performance part of lecturing. Even more helpful for many practising law.

Many jobs (including academia, think of Uni lecturers!) have a performance element. Sales, management, communications, lots of transferable skills from drama go into those. What Rummikub said is good.

Ok so your dd is actually quite focused. If she isn't interested in sciences there is no point in pushing it. It's difficult at A level and if it's not her thing then she could be turned off education.

She has already made choices. She has decided on university. She likes English and history. Good strong A level subjects. Drama is quite good for law as it gives a presence, voice projection, etc. she could just take it as a 4th AS level. Which leaves a 3rd A level subject to select. She is just in year 10 so let her sit with those choices she has made already. See if it feels right to her. And get her to carry out leisurely research, no pressure!

For Law at a Russell group university I'd advise 3 traditional Alevels: English, History , Economics. Law is incredibily competitive and loads of graduates. The big law firms now rarely consider graduates from non russell group unis

Im astounded that you think she isnt good.enough to do Drama at A level yet she is targetted an A at it.

She is passionate about it, works hard and enjoys it. The fact that she 'isnt a good actress' appears not to be putting her off which is a fantastic skill to have.

It appears you have an underlying snobbery of non academic subjects. You could, instead, be proud of.your dd for working damn hard (enough to warrant an A) at something that she isnt naturally talented at.

The prospects website is really good - you can look at different careers and related degrees or look at different degrees and related careers.

Could you 'compromise' on English, Drama and Business Studies (or Economics)?