No qualifications but like the idea of sociology ? Have you studied this?

[doghouseparty]

A random ramble... I left school with no/ very bad qualifications and typically now, I regret this dearly. I feel so limited in my choices for work. I have since got married to a wonderful man and moved across the country where he lives and met and become friendly with his friendship groups. It's only now that I feel the burden of not having a proper career and not being able to access better opportunities because of my lack of qualifications ( why do we not listen to our parents) as all my lovely new friends have got very exciting and meaningful careers and in a way I really hate myself that I'm so far behind. It seems so overwhelming having to start from the very beginning to attain some GCSEs to even get anywhere...anyway I think I like the idea of sociology. Have any of you studied this or have any advice ?

Hahah now there's a thought!!

My brother studied it. Now he's a chef - a very happy and successful chef but the degree definitely did not help him get where he is today.

I'd say if you really want to do it to get a job, combine it with something with a high employability quota (economics, maths, stats, something along those lines) companies need people with the knowledge in sociology but also with the maths skills to do analysis)

Have you looked into Access Courses? One year course for people who don't have the qualifications to go to uni - it gives you English and maths GCSE and the equivalent of three A levels and is really focused on getting people into university.

I did one years ago (also had no qualifications at all as I left school pre-GCSE) and did a social sciences degree (not sociology but with elements of it). The one I did was this one -
https://www.cityofbristol.ac.uk/courses/social-science-access-to-higher-education/

I'm now a lawyer after getting into Bristol uni so it really can open doors (both the access course and a social sciences degree).

If you definitely don't want to teach, I would start looking for another job in a different sector - I really would try a marketing dept. Then talk to the people there about progressing and how they trained.

Why do you think it's of yesteryear? I would have thought if anything it was more relevant than ever

Social policy
Social work
Human Resources
Clubs and organisations
Immigration

To counter all the "you'll never get a job with that degree" posts - my husband didn't go to college until he was in his 30s. He studied social sciences, got a masters in a similar area and he's now at senior management level in the civil service in his mid 40s.

Have you considered the Open University? Study in your own time, other students mature students, returning to learning and lots of support.

I agree with this. I was a social worker for 30 years and healthy level of nosiness was by far the most useful qualification.
I did a degree in sociology and social policy. It was interesting but more importantly (to me) it was the entry degree to study for a sw masters and cqsw, as was.
Obviously things have changed a lot since then.
Sociology is interesting, but not a lot of use for much on it's own. I'm not sure I would get into debt for it.

Right I've really appreciated your fantastic advice. Maybe I need to go back to the drawing board and re think everything.

I just don't know what I'd be good at / enjoy to know which direction to go in

I have grade A sociology A level. As a dry subject, much of it is boring. You study long dead sociologists and what they wrote.

I studied sociology and have a career very much related to that, though I'm probably in the minority! I'd be happy to discuss further if you want to private message me.

Ha same! Grade A a-level sociology. It's one of the hardest things I've studied! Less interesting than you'd imagine too. For context I'm a lawyer now!

@doghouseparty what is it about sociology that you 'like the idea of'?

Sociology is a pointless degree. I would study a profession, such as occupational therapy, like a previous poster suggested. They are in high demand, and it's a very broad and varied field of work. It has elements of psychology, sociology, and biology.

If you have no qualifications whatsoever go for maths and English first. These are the foundations for everything.
I had basic GCSEs, crap at maths though (yes, I too didn't listen to parenrs). I went to college to do secretarial stuff at aged 19. OK job. Went to do A level Psychology (b) and Sociology (can't recall grade) in separate years. Then had a job which paid me to train professionally (very fortunate) ... didn't think i would get there, Level 5 professional qualification achieved. It's hard graft. Do something career related, AI is taking over the world, don't get caught up in it. Do what you enjoy!

@tunainatin would love to know what the career is. My dd LOVES sociology - has done gcse, a level and now applying for a degree.

I think you are looking at this the wrong way. What career do you fancy? There are access courses available for those wanting to enter healthcare. That would be a better route to take. Sociology on its own doesn’t qualify you for anything.

I love this! Please can you give a timeline and what he studied?
So he went to college aged ?
Studied what?
Went to uni? Aged? Studied what?
Did his masters whilst working or stand alone?

What job did he do before. What job did he start on at the CS.

I love hearing alternative stories to the standard as it's very inspiring

IRS no more pointless than psychology or geography or English.

Sociology grads are suitable for many careers

Civil service
Town planning
Social policy
Law enforcement
Human resource management
Public relations
Teaching
Market research analyst
Marketing consultant
Digital marketing
Journalism

It's endless. It's a good degree

To provide all that information would be very outing to the poster.

And tbh it’s obviously what you’re really trying to ask

I study eng lit as a mature student. Did access at 27, and degree at 30, now doing masters.

People told me it is useless, however, my earnings have more than doubled, I enjoy my life much more because I'm doing something I love.

Some people don't see value in education unless there is a guaranteed job at the end. There's more to education than money.

I am now fully happy in myself. My confidence has sky rocketed. I am a better person all round, because I study and work with my passion. It makes me happy.

You could study sociology with the OU without prior qualifications. However, while it will give you a degree it won’t lead to a career. You still need to decide what you want to do.

What is it that interests you in sociology?
Look at doing it as part of an access to higher education course, you will get a taster without jumping into a degree (but from there can apply to do a degree).

If you like walking and talking what about doing a local history evening class and becoming a tour guide?