to think DS, almost 17, would be better getting a job

[frostythesnowlady]

than going to college.

All his scroaty mates are going to college to do Btechs in this and that.
DS hasn't got a clue what he wants to do and is just following the crowd saying he'll do a sport Btech with every man and his dog but wasn't even interested enough to go to open day at the college he says he's going to

He's a sociable lad and he's into watersports hobbywise, and would like to do something like that as a job, but he's not academic enough to do a degree so I haven't a clue how he'd make a career out of something like that.

AIBU to think college isn't the best option for him?

The best option is the education. The better education he gets the better his job prospects. Do you want him working for McDonald's? That's all he be lucky to get without an education. Jobs are few and far between for youngsters as it is. You should want the best for your son not the worse. Besides he is 17 it's his decision to make not yours.

I wasnt academic whatsoever at 16-17 but I got a degree later on in life. Dont under estimate his abilities. My Dad did this to me and it broke my heart.

WRT your question, let him decide.

I don't know anything really about working in sport, but I would think he needs to find out what the norm is in the industry. Are the majority of people doing the kind of jobs he wants to do qualified and if so in what. If they all have a sport btech or whatever then it makes sense to do it but if they don't and the norm is more specialised qualifications then he should make a decision about if he wants to pursue that career.

Otherwise I'd suggest doing something more general than sport, so A levels or a wider variety of subjects so that he doesn't limit himself while he works out what he wants to do.

What kind of jobs are there in watersports, can he do something part time and go to college?

Where is he now? If he is almost 17 assume he finished gcses in the summer? Schools/colleges have been back for 2 months - has he been out of education and if so is he already working?

Teabagtights, I find it quite insulting that you assume people working in McDonalds are uneducated / lowly educated I am currently on the manager scheme and have to pass a series of tests and exams to pass the qualification - my business manager has a 1st degree in business management and earns over 75k per year - it is not a job to be snubbed!!

OP - maybe he could look for a weekend / evening job aswell as college? I know plenty of people that do this. Just a thought

If he's not academic and he couldn't be bothered going to the open day he's unlikely to be motivated to make a real go of college at this stage. He'd be better to get a job- preferably in whatever area interests him but depend whats available. Then if he gets on -great- or if he sees that he will be stuck on the bottom rung without any qualifications he will be more likely to be motivated make a real go at college.
Otherwise you'll just be throwing good money on college fees. If he does eventually go to college a couple of years with work experience will do his CV good.

What about an apprenticeship?

My brother got one at 16 on leaving school. A handful of crap graded gcse's.

He was coach building on crap money but he enjoyed it.

10 years later he now works in the offices for the same company as a design engineer, designing trailers for asda, Royal Mail etc

He earns more k a year than his age.

What about swim teaching, lifeguard, something like that. Its not bad money.

There are companies that specialise in sports such as kayaking, mountain sports and holiday/ adventure weekends etc could he volunteer / get work placements in addition to his sports btech - so showing him options relating to his interest and possibly keeping him on his course but with industry contacts for a meaningful career out of it?

College may not be the best place for him right now if he doesn't know what he really wants to do. He can always go back to college at a later stage if he wants - and with a few years of work under his belt, he'd likely make a better fist of it.

That's if he can get a job of course.

My 19 year old son has completed an apprenticeship, has good quals and work experience. He is looking at any job locally and in London. 2 months in, 250 jobs applied for and just a couple of interviews!
You are being dangerously optimistic in his ability to find employment

direct him here and here

his school/college as a duty to provide independent careers advice and guidance - talk to them

He needs to go through his ideas and options and make an informed choice

sadly the services that do provide support and IAG to young people have all but disappeared

The trouble is jobs for sixteen year olds are so hard to find. My employer takes on sixteen year olds and they undertake NVQ's for two years until eighteen so effectively learn on the job always more candidates than places though!
Would a coaching qualification suit him for teaching swimming etc?

Teabag my sister is now very high up in McDonalds after starting there some years ago as a teen. She did terribly in her exams but has nothing but success in the working world. So please keep your derogatory comments about fast food workers to yourself.

Lots of young people are doing BTechs in sport at the college DS1 goes to. I have no idea what they lead to, but surely doing one would be better for him that being on the dole, or lazing around?

Jobs for young people are really, really hard to find at the moment, even Saturday jobs.

You are his parent you should be encouraging him to do something and find something he is interested in!

it's up to him to chose career/education surely?
by all means you know your son,but don't push your preference
what does he think,has he had career advice?

he could do both get a job go to colleg he could work at an outdoor centre or something let him decide jobs are hard to come by he might not find a job so easy full time , encourage him to do what he likes what about an appretiship (sp) or something

I think anyone going to college without at least some idea of the job they want to do at the end of it is bloody pointless tbh. He can always try to get a job or get some work experience for now, and then go back to college in a year when he has a better idea of what he wants to do with his life/career.
Going to college because his friends are isn't a good reason, nor likely to motivate him to work hard.
Never underestimate the value of work and real life experience. Someone who is willing, hard working and wants to get on will generally succeed, regardless of their btech or lack of.

Your education is free up to 19, but if he wanted to do a course when he's 20, wouldn't he have to pay?

My SIL works for McDonalds too, she started at 16 and is earning over 100,000 a year now, she manages the managers of about 25 (probably more) stores now. One down from the CEO/owner of all the stores around us. She finished high school and never went to college McDonalds trained her and sent her on their own courses so it's not a bad thing.
Ds got into college to do a foundation degree this year, he immediately started having problems, (big move to a new to him country UK and no friends only family) So he has delayed till next year and is spending a year working at a local brewhouse pub/restaurant. Sometimes they just need a year of work to sort themselves out and decide what it is they really want to do.
If he can find a job he may find that works better for him till he knows what it is he wants to do.

he needs to do one of these computer questionnaires about careers? His local college will have access to this sort of thing in the student support area. Alternatively you could google psychometric and careers tests yourself and he can do them from home.

computer aided stuff is fine but needs to be used correctly with support from somebody qualified to give it

it's not enough on it's own - just a starting point

He can be a sports instructor surely? When we go on holiday we employ ski instructors/wakeboard instructors/tennis instructors etc and they are all really nice hard-working young men (mostly - only a few girls).

Speak to your DS about what he wants to do, what he enjoys and whther he has the commitment to go to college and stick to it. My own DS followed the advice of his tecahers (against my better judgemnet) and stayed on for A'levels, after 1 month he was dropped from one subject, after a year he left, he went to college (again against my judgement) and dropped out after a year. He then increased his hours in a local supermarket (now working 30 hours a week) but still has no real idea of where he wants to be, at 19 yo. He is now saving to go abroad next year, we are lucky in having family around the world. I am hoping that this will widen his horizons and give him a push to do something more with his life than just aim for a full time position with a supermarket. He isn't stupid but he's certainly not cut out for a desk job. I believe wholeheartedly that kids do better when they are doing soemthing they love and when they know where they are going and what they are aiming for. Education is great but if they have no inclination for it then let them follow their hearts. I'd rather have a happy bin man for a son than the richest, most miserable banker.