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Original poster

Do you have a ds age 14-17? What are they thinking about doing after leaving school?

73 replies

Tumtr · 26/01/2024 18:48

Just curious and looking for ideas as ds hasn’t any idea currently. He seems to be quite good at most subjects, not particularly drawn to anything.

OP posts:
PheobeBebe · 26/01/2024 21:41

Ds is 15 and plans on A levels definitely, but unsure about uni at the moment. He is academic but wants to get out working, so it may be an apprenticeship for him. Has no clue what he'd like to do as a career

Jimmyspiano · 26/01/2024 21:42

Our DS1 is 14. He is the loveliest boy. He is kind, patient, gentle and caring. He has several diagnoses including ASD, LD and anxiety. He has no idea what he wants to do. He is struggling with GCSEs, so it seems unlikely that A levels will be a good option. I am desperately hoping that we will find a post 16 pathway that suits him. He will need a large enough organisation to be able to absorb his need for extra support and reassurance. Local college courses seem to consist of car mechanics or hair and beauty, neither of these would be great for our lad.

Notaflippinclue · 26/01/2024 21:44

Navy

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LaPalmaLlama · 26/01/2024 21:47

Go to Uni to do engineering and then join the military

Popfan · 26/01/2024 22:09

Going to college to do carpentry. Should pass his GCSEs but can't wait to ditch the academics!

Rowgtfc72 · 26/01/2024 22:14

Dd wanted to be a musician or zoologist.

Currently 16 and four months into an autocare technician apprenticeship and loving it. Bright kid, hates book learning, really enjoying the hands on experience.

Original poster
Tumtr · 26/01/2024 22:49

@Jimmyspiano hugs to your ds . Would animal care suit maybe? It’s so hard to give them direction

OP posts:
ProfessorPipsqueak · 26/01/2024 22:54

Ds is 16 and doesn't know exactly what he wants to do but he knows he wants it to involve languages. He is fluent in 3 at the moment and learning a 4th. He wants to study one particular language(our native language, we aren't in the UK) and then joining a scheme to become an EU translator. He has ASD and languages are his 'special interest'.

Dd on the other hand is 14 and doesn't have a clue, she is clever but not very interested in academics at the moment. She is only young though and has lots of time to find where she thinks she will fit.

Purpleraiin · 26/01/2024 23:02

My 16 DS will be sitting his GCSEs this year. He has ASD, very academic and will be doing A levels physics, chemistry, maths and economics. Since the start of high school his ambition has been to go into medicine, and he's still set on that.
My 13 Yr old DS is On track academically but he's more of a hands on and outdoors kind of kid. Carpentry was his idea through primary school, he's now leaning towards wanting to be a pilot though. I think he may take a while longer than his brother to decide which path to set off on 🙂

titchy · 26/01/2024 23:07

LoveSandbanks · 26/01/2024 19:09

Ds wants to be a vet. He’s off so study animal management next year

Make sure he does the right modules - not all the required ones are offered at colleges, and vet med is very specific about what is needed.

Inlimboin50s · 26/01/2024 23:12

I'm checking out our local college tomorrow with DS 16.
He likes he sound the plumbing course and we will look at the gym courses too as that is his love.

Shodan · 26/01/2024 23:18

Ds2 16 and doing GCSEs this year. He's chosen Maths, Further Maths, Physics, and Chemistry for A levels and at the moment thinks he wants to do engineering at uni, probably specialising in aerospace/aeronautical engineering.

I'm ever-so-slightly awed by his choices because a) he finds them 'fun' and easy and b) I was very bad at all things science (no interest whatsoever either).

SirChenjins · 26/01/2024 23:22

He has no idea. Currently showing little interest in school but refuses to discuss his plans. I think he’s a bit overwhelmed atm do we’re staying away from the conversation for now. He’s 17 next month so time is ticking.

thaegumathteth · 26/01/2024 23:26

Ds 17 wants to go to Uni to study politics / social policy and work in the third sector.

Dd 13.5 wants to either be a teacher or a beautician so 🤷🏼‍♂️

Ozgirl75 · 27/01/2024 03:49

At the moment (he’s nearly 14) HSC (we’re in Aus), then “something interesting” at Uni in Sydney or Canberra, possibly history, law or English. Then either train to be a pilot or try to work for the UN or our equivalent of the foreign office.

mjf981 · 27/01/2024 06:14

@ Inlimboin50s - push him to do a plumbing course. Compared to working at a gym, its a much better option!

HowToTeach · 27/01/2024 06:22

DS 14 doesn't really know apart from he wants to work and leave school ASAP! We're starting to look into apprenticeships and what might interest him and what definitely doesn't. Probably something outdoors rather than office or needing fine motor skills. He's very good at languages.

AnOldCynic · 27/01/2024 06:49

@NuffSaidSam isn't that an expensive delay to decision making? Deciding what you want to do after going to uni and being in massive debt? Not goady, just curious.

Fallenangelofthenorth · 27/01/2024 07:18

My daughter hasn't a clue what she wants to do either. She knows she wants to go to University but to study what? She's chosen Maths, Further Maths, Economics and Psychology A-Levels as I think those subjects maybe offer a decent range of degree subjects? Although obviously nothing science, language or Art related. I never knew what I wanted to do either and just drifted into accountancy which I do not recommend!

Original poster
Tumtr · 27/01/2024 07:20

fallenangelofthenorth why would you not recommend accountancy?

OP posts:
lljkk · 27/01/2024 07:22

The 16yo will probably go to Uni. He is thinking to study physics.
The 19yo is jobless & seems to have no plan at all <sigh>

Fallenangelofthenorth · 27/01/2024 07:23

Tumtr · 27/01/2024 07:20

fallenangelofthenorth why would you not recommend accountancy?

It's not specifically accountancy, more the drifting into something "until I decided what I really wanted to do". Although I also find accountancy incredibly tedious. I think I'd have preffered to be an artist, but unfortunately I wasn't very good at it...

Heatherjayne1972 · 27/01/2024 07:33

Son in yr 11. I’ve asked, school have asked the answer is a shrug and ‘I dunno’.

Quite worried tbh as he needs to sign up for college and he just doesn’t want to do anything at all.

NuffSaidSam · 27/01/2024 09:22

AnOldCynic · 27/01/2024 06:49

@NuffSaidSam isn't that an expensive delay to decision making? Deciding what you want to do after going to uni and being in massive debt? Not goady, just curious.

It's inevitably very expensive, but I hope would be more than just a delay to decision making. I went to uni and it was one of the best times of my life, taught me loads of life skills and of course you leave with some qualifications that will hopefully help you in the next step of your career. I don't think it's a waste of money or time to go to uni if you don't know exactly what you want to do yet. It wasn't for me anyway!

ConsuelaHammock · 27/01/2024 15:44

I’ve just asked my son what he wants to do? He’s been out on the farm since morning with his father. He wants to be a stock broker as they make a lot of money and they don’t get cold at work 😂. Not sure how that would work from a farm in Co Down.
In reality I think he’ll study something with maths and go into accountancy or engineering. He wants to go to Queen’s.