If your DC didn't go to Uni, what do they do?

[Okki]

My DD isn't sure about Uni. Just finished yr 12. Is currently predicted ABB in humanities subjects. She doesn't know what she wants to do and doesn't want to get into huge student debt for no reason. Is currently planning a year out and thinking about joining the armed forces as a musician. If you/your DC didn't go to uni, what have you/ they done?

I didn't go to uni, DH did, so we both have different views. However, things have changed hugely since we were her age, plus neither of us grew up in the UK, so our experiences are different anyway.

There are literally hundreds of careers they could do that don't require a degree. Does their school not have a careers adviser they could see?

What does she want to do ? 1 of mine did 1 didn't the dc who did her job isn't anywhere near the degree at all.

Both of my dc have decent jobs.

DS spent two years working loading freight on to planes at an airport. He grew up and matured a lot in that time. He was earning between £15 to £19 PH if nightshift and overtime. He is now doing a degree apprenticeship with a guaranteed job and no tuition fees as they are paying for his degree. It is really hard work, release to University and classes, a FT job and studying.

She should get any job if unsure, DH and I worked/work in Higher education and loads of kids make mistakes choosing their course.

DS one did uni (twice) and works in an industry unrelated to either degree. He’s still glad he did them, as he loves learning.

DD went to college but didn’t finish her course; she works in something unrelated now.

Neither are high earners, but both are happy.

I didn't and I'm an Engineering planner. £43k basic salary NE Scotland

My duaghter did a BTEC in Business Studies at college instead of A Levels, she got on the trainee management program at an international store and reached Assistant manager and was head hunted to help set up a new flagship store.

Now is a PA to a Head Teacher at a secondary academy and is also Office Manager with 5 people to manage.
She loves her job, is really glad she didn’t go to uni and is well paid and has good benefits.
University isn’t for everyone.

Worked in retail for a while then did an apprenticeship with the NHS. Now climbing the ladder without a degree. Not the best paid job but happy enough.

Oldest DD, started off at 16, working with horses. 21 banking,progressed to private banker to some celebrities. Got bored good job in London 200 staff under her. Manager of one of the big 3 supermarkets. 2 sons registered disabled. Youngest DD, started off in hospitality, for an agency,her oldest sister also worked for. Went to work in big well known store, manager in her twenties.

One of my friends (a decade younger than I am - same social group) did something like this, she's now in her early twenties

https://www.earlycareers.networkrail.co.uk/scheme/level-3-rail-engineering-technician-apprenticeship/

I also know people who have become HGV drivers, joined the hospitality industry, gotten NHS apprenticeships to become allied health professionals

There are hundreds of other threads asking the same question on MN

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/study-and-training/nhs-apprenticeships

I didn't go to university, I set up my university own business and earn £80k a year.

My sister went to university, is in a job totally unrelated and earns £30k.

University isn't the be all and end all unless you want to do something specific like, medicine, law etc.

I didn’t go to uni. I worked in a supermarket during my A Levels and was going to join the management programme when I decided to apply for a job in a bank instead…and I’ve been in banking ever since. I started in a branch for one bank, then moved to another and now work in marketing after a few different career moves.

My lack of degree has meant I’ve been able to try different things as I had a bit more time and flexibility and have been really able to explore my skill set.

I’m only 32 so not mega old and still have years in front of me to try something else if I wanted.

My youngest went to uni, got a good degree, has a well paid, happy job. He is still very focused and work orientated.

Eldest bummed around doing 'dead end' jobs after leaving school and went to uni at the ripe old age of 23.
Got a good degree and is now working in a high level, well regarded role. He is still a bum and would be better suited to Working in a bar at night and sleeping all day 😁

There are no right ways to do this, a degree in the right subject is always worth it, but a degree in anything is an awful lot of money and time to gamble with.

Not my child but my niece. Cabin crew - she loves it and is brilliant at it.

Interesting thread.

Partner left uni after 1st year, is now a senior management accountant (degree was totally unrelated to this) just had to do a few extra exams but had a lot more on the job experience than those who came through the uni route

My daughter did an apprenticeship and has never looked back. She has a fantastic career, earns well, and is happy in life.

Have a look at the many apprenticeships on offer.

My oldest did a levels but didn't want uni. Got a job in London in insurance is doing well. Other 2 are at uni as they need to for the job they want. An apprenticeship could be good for her.

Dd left school at 16, went to college and did professional cookery, got picked by a famous hotel to work in, now 21 earning over 30 grand, working her way up through the ranks to become and exec chef.

It does depend on where you live, though.

The minimum wage for people under 21 is at least £3 an hour less. £5 less for apprentices aged at most 19 who haven't completed the first year, or younger.

It's alright for those who can live at home rent-free and commute. Some apprenticeships pay more but those are very competitive.

For DC who can't live at home either due to unfortunate circumstances, or in an area without many jobs, university may be the most viable option as the student loan is a means of sustenance.... sad but true.

My DS is doing an apprenticeship (electrician)

Quite outing but my DS and his dad are both air traffic controllers having not been to uni. DS googled best paying jobs without a degree and it happened to be what his dad did!

DS2 is doing a degree apprenticeship in something computer-y that I don’t quite understand! So he’s being paid to gain his qualification rather than getting into massive debt and was lucky to find one close to home with a major bank.

DD is pondering uni but I’m hoping she too can find a path that doesn’t lead to huge debt. I’m not sure she’s cut out for uni life, I’m encouraging her to apply for an apprenticeship at a local National Trust property where she could live in and study restoration, hospitality management or educational courses to give her a broad range of experiences.

I have a degree in a totally pointless arts subject and have never used it. The only one in the family who went to a traditional uni and it was a huge waste of time.

DS did an apprentice in marine engineering and stayed with the same employer, has worked in multiple locations and travelled internationally. DD gradually worked her way up through fast food - call centre - promotion - civil service and 10 years on has had further promotions and doing well.
They needed some support in the early years but were each completely independent by 21.

My DC are small but my brother did a mechanics apprenticeship. He's now (age 35) earning a decent salary, with no student debt. I did a degree and now work in the NHS on such a shit salary that I pay back less of my student debt grows each month instead of shrinks, because the interest accrued is more than I pay back. I wouldn't recommend uni just for the sake of it!

My boyfriend doesn't have a degree but is a director of a firm of accountants, earning very good money. Not having a degree certainly doesn't preclude earning good money, although it can open up certain pathways.