Not going to University

[CatchuponFriday]

If your DC chose not to go to University....what did they do instead? My dd is currently year 12 and I am just pondering really. Thanks!

Dd got a job, has now had several promotions and ds went into a trade engineering apprenticeship

I did a vocational course instead of uni and then spent years working overseas in that field, travelling and working. Had the best time.
Whilst I know having a degree is always useful, I do know an awful lot of people who have done a degree and are working a standard job (that requires no degree) in a completely different field. It’s not always the best thing for everyone, or sometimes best to wait until you’re certain of what you'd like to study.

Dc went to work for the nhs and then got put on a course to gain a professional qualification (not an apprenticeship althoughthey do these to). Works 30 hours per week plus 1 day in University. There's potential to do more and gain a higher qualification (degree) in the future. Gets paid a wage plus all fees payed.
Dc2 is looking at a degree apprenticeship.

Mine did vocational qualifications through work.

@WaltzingWaters. off topic but is your user name based on the waltzing waters on the Isle of wight

My dc aren't yet at that age yet, but thinking about people close to me, the one person I know who didn't go to uni has struggled a bit with launching. She's done quite a bit of travelling. She's trained in several industries, one a craft that required about 6 years of training, she did a course in sort of carpentry and joinery, building wooden houses, she did a course in forestry. She currently lives in what is essentially a shed in her parents' (rather large) garden. She's lovely and smart and interesting. But I think what she missed out on by not going to uni was that forced launch into the world. She never had to move out into halls, so she kind of just stayed put, and her parents have made that possible by funding it to a degree.

I work in a university as well as and I think what the university experience is good for is the social bit and the independent living bit, even where students maybe don't always benefit from the academic side or the degree they end up with. I think moving out and living independently with friends and having to manage life - bills, time, commitments, etc. is really important. There are ways to do that without going to uni, but you have to be a lot more intentional about it, as it's easy just to stay put at home and coast along otherwise.

My ds19 tried college and hated it. Dropped out at the Christmas (2022) He worked and he went inter-railing while he had a good think. Then in September ‘23 he started an apprenticeship with an electrical engineering company. He’s flying now, really enjoying it and they’ve given him a van and a work phone. Delighted with himself.
The money isn’t great although they have him on second year rate. He works with his dad on Saturdays to earn extra. I worried so much about this kid but he just needed to work it out himself. We supported him completely even if we were a bit sad he dropped out of college. But it’s not for everyone.

My niece has just completed an apprenticeship in Data Science. 5 years of practical work experience, a full time wage, no debt and still got the degree cert.

Hahaha it actually is! I grew up going there when visiting my grandparents who live on the IOW. I was so upset to see it’s shut down when I wanted to take my toddler DS!

Lol we went there when dd was little..I loved it!!!!

I was pushed, by well meaning family into going to University when I didn't think it was the right route for me.

So I went, got all of the debt and no degree.

I'm now very successful, but really do wonder what kind of position I could now be in without the student loan debt and wasted 3 years.

Haha wish it was still going! My Ds would be mesmerised!

I’m in insurance. A significant proportion of our trainee intake for claims and underwriting every year are school leavers and young people without degrees. It’s an interesting line of work, with good career prospects, and rewards those with strong skills in analysis, communication and focus. There are also lots of opportunities to work closely alongside people of all ages and levels of experience and seniority, which I think is really beneficial for young people.

18 year old son apprentice electrician, had all qualifications got uni but didn’t want to do it. 23 year old daughter went to uni to do social work