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Original poster

If your DC did A Levels but didn’t go on to uni, what job do they do?

55 replies

TattiePants · 04/05/2023 20:22

DS is 16 and in his first year of A Levels but not really enjoying them. He chose to do A Levels in the sixth form of his school mainly because he didn’t know what else to do and didn’t feel ready to leave school where he feels safe. He has SEN and hates change, has anxiety / panic attacks and has some struggles socially.

He’s almost sure that he doesn’t want to go to uni. DH and I will support him either way but are hoping he chooses not to go as we don’t think he’ll cope. However, he hasn’t a clue what he wants to do next and I’d love some ideas of what jobs other 18 year olds went in to. He has AS Levels starting in 2 weeks but after that we (and school) need to support him getting some of the skills he’s going to need for the workplace. In theory we need to arrange work experience for July and it would be great if he was able to get a part time job but that feels so far away from what he’d be comfortable with.

OP posts:
OnceAgainWithFeeling · 04/05/2023 21:23

potatohead1 · 04/05/2023 20:43

Can you still do this in the civil service without a degree?

Show quote history

I hit the CS at HEO with 4 years work experience instead of the degree.

Lovescookies · 04/05/2023 21:39

My DC aren't adults yet, but I can speak for my own experience if that helps?

I did my GCSE's, then I dropped out of sixth form in the first year, before exams. Did an NVQ level 2 in IT whilst working retail with an computer workshop attached. Started with a local authority, worked my way up and I'm now an infrastructure manager overseeing the IT Support in over 100 schools.

I did one A level part time when I was 24, diagnosed dyslexic and autistic as an adult. They are still my only qualifications.

I would recommend looking at apprenticeships and finding something that's appealing. If your DC are interested in computers or coding then there is a real skills shortage in ICT, especially in cyber security.

OrangeBananaFish · 04/05/2023 21:53

This is interesting. DS is just about to finish college. He's autistic and really not sure. He's applied to Uni, but I think its more of a something to do type of thing rather than its something he wants to do.

His issue is that he's got no work experience. Can he get an apprenticeship with no experience? When we had a meeting at college a couple of months ago they totally put us off the idea of DS leaving education for an apprenticeship, but I'm wondering if they are pushing for Uni or something further to make their statistics look better.

Interested in this thread?

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16 year olds General education
Ifulikepinacoladas · 04/05/2023 22:05

@Swansandcustard couldn't agree more.
DD did 1 term at uni and it just was wrong for her in so many ways.
She is now an apprentice hairdresser and is so happy. As are we...the stress of her being away from us and unhappy was unreal.

Swansandcustard · 04/05/2023 22:09

I think the sixth forms bank on lots of good uni alumni to make the school more attractive. My DD17 is very stubborn, and certainly dismisses anything I say. Just hoping she opens her horizons a bit.

CheeseAndOnionIsMyFav · 04/05/2023 22:14

My brother did A-levels and then onto an apprenticeship. He now works in networking for a big global company and earns a good salary. He's not into studying (although did have to do professional qualifications along the way) but he's very good at learning on the job. Absolutely the best decision for him and he's not felt the need to do a degree at a later stage.

Ifulikepinacoladas · 04/05/2023 22:15

It's so tough...we could never have told DD uni wasn't for her, she had to find out herself. But college was so geared towards uni. Even the kids not applying were made to do a personal statement! I'd have been hacked off had DD not been going.
Hopefully DS is about to choose a different college, and we have had a sharp learning curve so can hopefully guide him better

LittleBlueBrioTrain · 04/05/2023 22:20

This was me. Im a manager of a charity having worked my way up from a volunteer.

Boxbedbank · 04/05/2023 22:20

Dc1 (also has asd) during a levels I got them volunteering, this led to some paid work and then boosted confidence and got a job in a shop.
After school went to work in the nhs and has been there just over a year and is now doing day release to university, and has already had one promotion. Its not easy and I'm not sure they could currently live independently (I'm working on that) but after the initial shock of change has really enjoyed it and got great feedback which has boosted confidence.

JagerbombsUnite · 04/05/2023 22:24

I work for a major employer that has a lot of apprenticeships. mainly tech but also finance , operations, etc.
A lot of big 'graduate employers' also have them,. not always in London.
They're very mature and work ready though. The sort who have been working, or at least held extracurricular 'leadership' positions.

The best thing to do is probably work out what your local area has to offer. If you post on local FB groups, the National Apprenticeship board etc. UCAS website

https://careerfinder.ucas.com/jobs/apprenticeship/
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

There are also opportunities to get a funded degree but failing that your son can always do one via distance/part-time learning. Going away for 3 years (and the equivalent £££) isn't the best thing for everybody.

Apprenticeship jobs

Apprenticeship jobs. 2,660 jobs to view and apply for now with UCAS

https://careerfinder.ucas.com/jobs/apprenticeship

Original poster
TattiePants · 04/05/2023 22:32

There’s some great advice here and it looks like an apprenticeship may be the way to go.

@Boxbedbank we’ve been talking about volunteering. I’m a trustee of a charity so hoping that’s something he could do over the summer holidays. We’ve also talked about volunteering that we could do together as that might be a stepping stone and a bit less scary than doing something on his own.

OP posts:
jannier · 04/05/2023 22:36

My son was set to go to uni changed his mind about teaching and didn't want the debt so got an apprenticeship as an electrical and mechanical engineer. On finishing he left that company at offered a new job on £48k agre 22, went on a 3 month round the world trip before starting the job. Has since moved company again and earns enough to have a mortgage, 3 children and a partner who can work part time...and in Surrey he's 29

Original poster
TattiePants · 04/05/2023 22:37

jannier · 04/05/2023 22:36

My son was set to go to uni changed his mind about teaching and didn't want the debt so got an apprenticeship as an electrical and mechanical engineer. On finishing he left that company at offered a new job on £48k agre 22, went on a 3 month round the world trip before starting the job. Has since moved company again and earns enough to have a mortgage, 3 children and a partner who can work part time...and in Surrey he's 29

Well done to your DS, what a great achievement.

OP posts:
mrsfollowill · 04/05/2023 22:50

My DS has autism - was well supported at school- especially in 6th form and is very 'tech' minded. Loved all the sciences/maths/computing. Rubbish at English Lit - but very talented in the other areas. Was set to go to uni but decided for himself it wasn't the right thing for him (he should have done A level exams Spring 2020- so that didn't happen!)
We have a brilliant SEN college nearby and he did a 'supported internship' which led to a full time job in a lab - he did 2 years at college during various lockdowns so a lot was online but had a lot of support with the social side of things- loads of opportunities and really broadened his outlook. He couldn't make eye contact even with family before going there and was always very passive.
Did about 3 days practical work in the lab and they offered him a full time job. They worked with college and there was a transition period but he has been full time working for a year and it is way beyond what we thought he would achieve. Its hard but he has really surpassed himself this last year and we are so happy for him. His social life has improved no end as well. I think there are more options these days thankfully.

HaroldeVwilliam · 04/05/2023 22:52

@OnceAgainWithFeeling.. Out of interests why was buying a house at 19 the best thing you did.

When I look back I think how to free I was and thank goodness I did some travelling etc

SiblingFights · 04/05/2023 22:54

DD had just joined the CS on an apprenticeship.

HappilyContentTheseDays · 04/05/2023 22:57

Eldest refused to go to university despite being very bright....just hated school and studying. Currently works at a very high level in computing security systems, earns an immense salary at a relatively young age and has certainly done far better (in terms of career and salary) than younger sibling who did go to university.

KnickerlessParsons · 04/05/2023 22:59

One (30) manages a branch of a well known bank.
One is doing actuarial work/pensions admin.

Both earning decent salaries.

Wonkyspecs · 04/05/2023 23:11

My son attended college for a certain subject and sailed through level 1 and 2, level 3 was more theory based .....it nearly broke him. He was working part time in a retail role during this time and the customer service part of him flourished. He has since gone on to join an airline ( entry level) and is now progressing with them xx not exactly answering your question but as long as your son has goals xxxx best wishes xxx

Wonkyspecs · 04/05/2023 23:25

He was also diagnosed with Dysgraphia at college ( school didnt pick up on this)
All I can add is that my son is happy xxx
Loving his job and loving life xx
What more do I ask for....

jannier · 04/05/2023 23:28

TattiePants · 04/05/2023 22:37

Well done to your DS, what a great achievement.

Show quote history

It was a worry, he was at Grammar school, got top grades all set and just said no. He has never regretted it loves his job.

Blueuggboots · 04/05/2023 23:43

I did a levels but didn't go to uni. I became a dental nurse and then a paramedic. Since then, paramedic has become a uni course.

Fifthtimelucky · 05/05/2023 08:52

The son of a friend of mine did his A levels 2 years ago and is now earning just under £30,000 in IT support at his local authority.

AccountantMum · 05/05/2023 08:55

My kids are a lot younger - but I joined an accountancy firm which do level 7 apprenticeships to become a chartered accountant which you can join after A Levels, and comes with full time wage, study leave and all tuition and exams.

potatohead1 · 05/05/2023 09:30

@OnceAgainWithFeeling how did you get through the CS interview process. It's so difficult. All the behaviours and competencies. People even get CS application coaching. How did you do it?

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