What do your 18, 19, 20 yr old kids do if they're not at uni or college?

[User57713]

I've got one ds19 who has left school and is working in a clothes shop. He didn't know what he wanted to do at college, didn't get grades for uni, so took this job. He works hard but he's been there almost a year now and he's getting restless.

But still doesn't know what he wants to do.

What are your kids of a similar age and situation doing? Travelling, working in shops, Burger King, staying in bed all day? 3 hours a day in the gym or lying in bed? Volunteering?

We're looking for some inspiration really in the hope that something sparks his imagination, or if anyone has any ideas we haven't thought of.

He's a hard worker, I know he'll figure it out and be successful in time, but he's feeling a bit lost right now

If uni is something they are interested in but didn't get the grades they could do an access course or foundation year.
Bad ALevel results don't mean you can never go to uni.
If that doesn't interest them its worth looking out for apprenticeship opportunities.
I think more training and qualifications could help them find a more rewarding job.
A lot of people don't know what they want to do and kinda fall into it.
One of mine did an Art course before going to uni, another worked in retail for a year before going to uni, another bummed around in his bedroom before I lost all patience and started applying for apprenticeships "with" him.
He now is a stone mason-he was worried he would not like it when he started but at that age youve nothing to lose by trying and actually he really enjoyed it and is now qualified and still doing the job.
Just keep an open mind and keep looking for apprenticeships and opportunities and don't lose faith if you get a lot of rejection, it can be hard but keep going

A few of my friends kids who didn’t go the uni route after alevels are working in travel, one on yachts, another on cruise ships.
Both seeing the world while working hard and thinking about next steps. They both did some hospitality work at home before going and the one who is working on yachts did a course first that is aimed at getting people into yachting and ski season work.

My DS waited 18mo the after college for the right apprenticeship.

Personally I fancy being an air traffic controller, but I’d probably be crap at it because I’m not very focussed

https://www.nats.aero/careers/operations/trainee-air-traffic-controllers/

DS is 18 and is just finishing his 2 year apprenticeship in software development. He is staying at the company when he finishes as he is doing very well.

My 17 year old ds has had enough of college, he has struggled massively at school and is finding his plumbing course so hard. Also can't pass his maths gcse.
He is going to leave in June and work more hours in the pub 5 miles away as a kitchen porter,where he has worked since 15. He has worked three shifts a week for the last two years and wants to do two more.
He has just passed his CBT so is getting a scooter so he can be independent and won't rely on me.
I doubt he will go back to college but hopefully after a year or two he can find an apprenticeship or just a regular job he can enjoy. He was diagnosed at five with asd and he has had quite a few really awful mental health episodes in the last year. I'm trying to remain calm and just be happy that he goes to work,has never called in sick and is reliable.

Current kid this age: Working in a miniMart.
Previous kid this age: was in British Army.

He sounds like he’s doing great, to have held a job since the age of 15 is brilliant and to have his license under his belt too. He’ll find his way, it doesn’t have to come from college. Well done him for recognising that college isn’t for him and for having a plan keep going with his kitchen portering, he should look into being a porter in the nhs.

@Inlimboin50s Hello, wondering how your DS is doing? Mine is almost 18 and about to drop out of his college course so looking for inspiration/hope!

19yo dd is working full time, she’s thinking about uni next year.

My 20yo DS is doing a degree apprenticeship in Project Controls with a big multinational. He applied twice, didn’t even get interviewed first time but he was still doing A levels. Had OK results, but just enough for this. He took a year out and applied again. He meant to get a job but the job he was hoping to get at a local factory didn’t happen due to them scaling back production. He applied for other apprenticeships but really wanted this one. Also sorted out driving lessons and passed his test. Good job because the site he works on is not easy to get to on public transport.

Hes loved it from the moment he started. He does 5 1-year placements. Just started his second. Next year, he has the freedom to find/choose his own. He is in the office 3 days a week, technically WFH the other two but in term time, he does online lectures as his cohort are spread around the UK. They get together face to face twice a year. He has assignments to do like any uni course, and a year end portfolio from his placement.

His first placement gave him absolutely glowing feedback / appraisals and said he was doing work they would never normally give a first year. He’s just been invited to an annual rewards thing by his employer which lasts for 3 days. It’s fab to see him so motivated and working hard, because it’s what he wants to do.

I'm not really sure to be honest. He is still at the same place and has got two more shifts, taking his hours to around 25. He has just turned 18 so his pay has gone up.
I've mentioned a chef apprenticeship but he won't listen,seems happy enough where he is. I'm ok with this,it's just other people's opinions that make me dad and fustrated.
sadly my son hangs around with weed smokers and he himself has a lot of issues and uses it so I'm just hoping he sorts himself out.
at least he is earning and still hasn't had a sick day and gets himself to work six miles away...result!
How are you coping and your son?