If your DC was/is clever but not academic what direction did they go in?

[Solitare929]

DS is in year 10. He's a bright lad. His teachers say if he carries on with his current effort (bare minimum) he'll get Bs, if he applies himself he could get top grades.

I know he's still got time to knuckle down but he hates school work. Hates revising, hates writing, hates homework. I can't see him managing university.

His options are business, IT and Geography. He's been to some career events in school and came home with a flyer for electrical engineering, a city and guilds type course, said he liked the sound of that but does anyone else have any ideas if they're DC we're in the same boat?

Can I ask what happened after that? My DS is not academic and will probably get average GCSE's. He wanted to do the Advanced Diploma in Digital art and animation but messed up the interview because he didn't read the letter properly so didn't take enough time on the prep task. He will probably get enough to do A Levels so I was thinking a Foundation degree then degree. I'm a bit concerned about career options though.

I had one a bit like this, but they got their arse in gear in yr11, did A levels and then went on to study Mech Eng

I would recommend looking at engineering in all its many forms, not least because there are a multiplicity of routes in to it (including apprenticeships, which might appeal, and in the Forces). It would help enormously if he could pull his finger out and get a good grade in maths (and physics/double science)

DH was the same @Solitare929. Left school at 15. Apprenticeship in electrical engineering and worked for a national security system company.

About 6 years later decided to go offshore, started relatively low and by 28 he was a ship captain on a fantastic salary. Definitely a “different” family lifestyle now that we have DC as DH is away for 3/4 weeks at a time. But he’s then home for the same length of time and has that off with DC which is lovely 😊

School isn’t for everyone!

My son, he hated school with a passion and didn't do well despite being clever. Went to college and studied Animal Management, did well. He's now running a falconry centre and is talking about going to Uni to study as a mature student.

DNephew: Graphic design

DS1 was similar. He eventually went to university as a mature student and studied business studies. He now works in recruitment and does well as he's motivated by the bonuses and incentives offered.

My son is bright passionate about history and politics but hates writing essays. He dropped out of sixth form. Has just started as an apprenticeship chef at a fairly high end restaurant. He is much happier doing a practical job and reading about history in his own time than following the structure of the A level syllabus. It may change ( I suspect he may be a mature student like his dad was) but he is a lot happier not in formal education.

My BIL: very successful career in the army in an engineering regiment - bright but not academic at all.

My brother was like this. He floated about after school, bar jobs and retail etc and then joined the police. He has done very well and he has a much much better job than I do with my years of uni and couple of degrees to my name.

My colleague's daughter did a couple of years at the London College of Fashion after school and last I heard was managing a branch of Kate Spade.

My brother is highly intelligent but struggled academically (dyslexia too) dragged himself through gcse and a levels. Considered joining the armed forces but shocked us all by announcing he has gotten into a technical theatre degree in London and off he went. He's 32 now, just bought a million pound flat and travels the world doing lighting, sound and video projection for big shows, famous musicians and performers. Dan brown, the xx, alt-j. It's a highly sought after role, lots of networking required but once you are in your in.

Attitude and hard work are the most important things, clever or not. Whatever he goes into, he’ll have to work hard and be committed.

Son got Cs at A level. Doing film making at uni, loving it, it's always been his passion. Getting firsts. Thriving.

Fitness related like a gym instructor etc

Well the shortage of plumbers and electricians is only getting bigger apparently, would he be interested in that?

Could he go for a general engineering course, then decide his speciality in his second year?

If he's bright then he might as well push himself a little bit now for big rewards later (easier said than done I know)

DD is still on her degree course (second year) so unfortunately I don't know what happens next. Probably a particular master's which is well-regarded as a way into the Children's Book industry...? Graphic Design is arguably the most employable of the art/design degrees, but DD is doing Illustration (which includes just enough G.D. to get by).

I started a thread which contains some useful info and might be interesting for you!
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/highereducation/4795276-art-and-design-at-university-for-past-present-and-future-students-and-parents

Sounds like one of my cousins - he got a surveyor apprenticeship with the council and he’ll do uni part time alongside work. He can stick with the council for a few years then go off to work wherever!

He sounds like my (dyslexic) brother, who grew up a lot between GCSE and B-tech college and did really well. I think he would have struggled with A-Levels though.

Thanks. I was talking to him about graphic design. He has not enjoyed his art GCSE (even though his predicted grade is a 6) but was thinking of doing the Btec Single award in graphic design. His art teacher keeps making him draw buildings for his art coursework because apparently thats where his strengths lie!

My DC left school with 4s and 5s last year is now in a motor manufacturing apprenticeship earning more than me and loving it. He is learning loads but not sat in a classroom which is a lot better for him.

DS1 was like this. He passed all GCSEs and got onto his Level 3 Diploma in Sport. He's now looking at Uni which is a new thing 🤷‍♀️🙂

DS was like this and did engineering, which turned out to be VERY boring and taught by teachers who had never qualified as engineers themselves.

I suspect he will end up in sales, he’s great with people.

DS20 is starting a Degree Apprenticeship as a radiologist, after doing btec science and working in NHS hospital as a porter to get his foot in the door.

He might be interested in looking at (Computer) Games Art courses eventually! DD considered that for a long time but realised that she didn't really enjoy using 3D software, which is a big part of it.