To do a degree I love instead of a degree with the best career prospects?

[SaltAndPepperKingPrawns]

Posting here for traffic.

I'm 26 and have two children. I have a place to do Social Work at a good university. This has been two years in the pipeline as I had to defer to have my second child.

As the start date draws ever closer, I keep feeling that social work isn't right for me. The worry, the responsibility, the low pay etc. Although everyone I have spoken to says I would make a good social worker.

I originally wanted to do Sociology. I am also interested in Criminology, Gender and Women's Studies and Religious Studies. I was advised against doing these courses by my college course tutor as they are not professional degrees, and I may struggle getting a job afterwards. Opposed to social work, where I will be a qualified professional. I also worry that some of the other courses are 'weak' degrees, and not worth the money in terms of a future career.

But I don't want to be a social worker.

I approached my tutor again recently who told me again to stick with it, and that even if I didn't want to be a social worker, doing the degree is much better and opens more doors than the other courses. Others who I have spoken to (family and friends) say that it is madness to spend 27k on a degree that I'm not fully sure on.

Another thing that concerns me is my criminal record. I have two cautions for assault occasioning abh from 11 years ago, when I was 15. The uni obviously consider me still suitable as it has been declared, and I had to attend an additional interview to discuss this. This was a very difficult period for me, and one that I am truly ashamed of, and the thought of this hanging over me my whole professional career worries me. Obviously in a career like social work, this would have to be discussed and could possibly hold me back every time I change jobs.

I am very academic, enjoy being in education. But I have no real idea what I want to actually do with my life. I am having a real crisis, and it's got to the point where I lie awake thinking about it all night.

It is possible to change my course, but I would need to decide asap as I am due to start in a few weeks.

Any help/insights/experience would be massively appreciated!

[Agadooo]

Totally agree with skiptonlass-sorry if that's not want you want to hear-also concerned that you said you are considering choosing a course of subjects you have no knowledge of-does your local college/unis offer evening leisure classes in areas you're considering so you could find out more?

[catfordbetty]

Why not defer for another year until you are absolutely sure of your own mind?

[bookishandblondish]

My first degree was social policy with economics. I'm now a management consultant specialising in public sector. I have never had a problem getting job interviews but did choose the research modules and always worked with orgs as part of it. I also worked in student jobs throughout.

Admittedly a long time ago, but I struggle to believe that every single sociology graduate is suffering in a call centre. Loads will be - as will graduates from other more employable areas. For what it's worth my brother did physics and ended up working full time in a pub for quite a long period of time.

Caveat - we went years ago but my company doesn't care what the degree is - we want to see evidence of work related skills.

[DisappointedOne]

I'm 37 and doing an open degree with the OU, studying a range of subjects that interest me personally and have business value too. I looked at doing a Law degree, but it's literally solicitor training. I don't want to be a solicitor, so it would have been a really bad (and expensive) idea to do that for the sake of it.

[Skiptonlass]

Donning my flameproof cardigan...

Neither of your options is a good idea. Doing a vocational degree when you don't have the vocation is pointless. But doing something with few career prospects just because you like it is pointless too unless you also have money to burn/a career lined up already.

in an ideal world, we'd all study what we loved and enrich our minds. in that ideal world, there'd be jobs for us all, using the skills the degree provides.

We don't live in that ideal world. I'd encourage my kids to only ever take on degree debt for something they know will have good prospects (vocational stuff/medicine/engineering/apprenticeships etc.) the brutal truth is that you don't need to do a degree to get a good grasp of sociology, women's studies, how the media works etc.

But you do need a degree to do something where you're using the facilities, for example a pathology lab, or a wind tunnel.

Is the degree linked to placements? Or work experience? If it is, you're in a better position but if it isn't, don't waste your money.

[OllyBJolly]

She said that she knows of lots of sociology and criminology graduates working in call centres

My daughter worked next to someone with a First in Law from a RG uni when she was in a call centre. Don't let that put you off.

If you have a passion for the subject, then do it. You'll enjoy it more, probably do better, and the one thing you hold on to is your learning.

[suchafuss]

I am currently doing Sociology/Psychology degree and in the first year we did a social policy module. However i am the opposite of you, love the subjects but waiting to transfer to social work. However i have been working voluntarily with young offenders and sw is what i want to do as a result.

[Breadandwine]

I must agree with those who would advise you to follow a course that interests you.

You will spend an enjoyable three years, doing something you want to do.

Versus 3 years of perhaps drudgery.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[SaltAndPepperKingPrawns]

There are two courses which I could combine my love of sociology with a more 'useful' subject which offers better job prospects.

Sociology and politics
Sociology and organisational studies (i.e management, structure etc)

Just concerned that I have never done either of those subjects before, so have no idea what I am letting myself in for.

If I was to pick the subjects I loved, it would be sociology and criminology but as I said, not so good job prospects.

[Leeeza]

First time poster - I would say you need to go research about what you want the end goal to be re which career area you want to be in, what skills you want to use and type of environment you want to work in then work it back to what course you need to do. Surely don't want to pay for a degree that whilst interesting is going to be very difficult to lead into a career you want-maybe a more focussed career plan but can do courses of interest as leisure courses just for interests sake if you want rather than your main degree.

[blueshoes]

Unless you don't plan to work, do something that has a reasonable prospect of a well-paying job at the end of it. Don't do social work if you hate it but equally don't do something else which is useless except that you find it interesting. Isn't there some other course which is a middle ground?

Once you are a parent, your time is precious and unless you are being supported not to work, don't fart around spending time and money on something that is not going to pay off. That to me is stealing significant time and resources from your family for little payback. Have as many hobbies as you like, but choose wisely in terms of your future career.

[NapoleonsNose]

I was going to go to uni as an 18 year old to do Business Studies and French. I bailed - it really wasn't for me. Went back to uni at 38 to do History. I loved it and threw my heart and soul into my degree and got a First. Do something you'll love otherwise you will spend three years feeling resentful and probably won't enjoy it or do as well as you could.

[simplysarcastic]

I went to university and studied maths, i wanted to study textile art but every man and his dog advised me that it would be near on impossible to get a job in that field.

I bitterly regret my choice and it makes me incredibly sad, even now.

Do something you will love doing in the future

[MagnumPremiumLemon]

I have a criminology degree.

I chose the degree I loved instead of the carer degree. I don't regret it whatsoever.

I finished just as I got pregnant with my second child, a long, stressful and complicated few years followed but it was through this that I discovered that what I'd be really good at is being a paediatric nurse.

I'm applying now (I applied last year, but didn't get in by a hair!). If it wasn't for my degree (I have no A levels) I wouldn't be able to apply for the second degree.

And the NHS funds nursing degrees.

Don't choose social work.

[SaltAndPepperKingPrawns]

The university is rated 9th in sociology (and overall) in the country. That's all I can seem to find.

[SacredHeart]

Look at the employability rates for your uni in those degrees, that will give you some indicator (although nothing is absolute).

[SaltAndPepperKingPrawns]

See that's what I am afraid of Junosmum

[Junosmum]

My first degree was criminology and social policy with 2 modules of women's studies. I loved it but career prospects are dreadful. I did it because I didnt want to be a social worker. You end up being an unqualified social worker, and can't move up in to management because you don't have a professional qualification. And the pay in such roles is craps. So I went back to uni (8years later) and now have a master's in social work. I didn't plan to go into a social work department- I wanted to be a middle manager in the voluntary sector or such but I enjoyed my placement so much that I'm now a social worker for adults, and I absolutely love it.

If you do a social work degree you don't have to be a social worker. You can also write your assignments with a focus on an area you are interested in, such as women's studies. You get a degree and can do a number of jobs with it.

[AyeAmarok]

Are you in Scotland?

[MrsGentlyBenevolent]

Do a degree in what you want to, I wish I had. I know someone who has a degree in Criminology, they never had an issue getting a job. with Sociology, sounds a very interesting combo. There are enough social workers in this world, most of them seem to resent their job as it is (like many a teacher, who only do it for the vocational qualification, end up pretty bitter about it, it seems to me). Out of everyone I know who did a vocational degree - about half the people I went to uni with - only one is using their undergraduate degree and two others became teachers (I mean actually working as such, know plenty who have a PGCE and don't use it) after gaining their original degrees. Nothing is certain with University qualifications these days, even ones that promise jobs at the end.

[TheSkiingGardener]

Fuck me, do a degree in something you love and are passionate about. Don't grind out 3 years just because it might lead to a job. I did a masters in Physics. Never used it since but don't regret one single moment!

[Foxesinmygarden]

Honestly follow your heart. It's hard work studying and juggling children. You won't have much time free. You'll work harder and get more out of it if you study something you're really interested in rather than grudgingly going through the motions.

Plus the point of studying is not always to get a job, sometimes it's about finding out what you are really interested in and finding opportunities you didn't know about at the start. I studied Art History, I loved it. Hardly anyone who does art history ends up working in this area though - but it doesn't mean it's wasted time or knowledge.

[ownerofagingerfurball]

I'm in my final year of a social work degree. If you don't love it, don't do it!

It is not an easy course. And it is very difficult to stick to 3 years of hard work when you're ultimately not committed to the course.

Pick something you truly want to do - defer for another year if necessary. Don't make a rash decision and waste the £9k student tuition fee loan :-)

[leghoul]

You should do what you enjoy not what you've got a place on or sounds sensible. You won't do well if you don't enjoy it. You may not even complete it. If you don't want to be a social worker it's somewhat meaningless to get a degree in social work.
I do know the feeling though - I had an offer for oxbridge as a mature applicant but when it came down to it, I realised I wanted to do a different degree and it made no sense to spend another 3 years doing something I didn't ultimately want to do. Sure, it's been longer not accepting it and doing the different one and also with DC. But your future is the rest of your life so definitely don't do a course in something you don't completely want to do.
I find health sociology, criminology & politics quite interesting. From your options I'd do politics with it but, depends where your real interests lie. You may also find they change of course with time and reading. Good luck OP and good call.

[SacredHeart]

The problem is most call centres, shops and restaurants are full of graduates... Don't let that sway you. Most young people have degrees both vocational and not so its s bit of a moot point.

I would always go for a dual honours if you can as you get a larger breadth of knowledge. Look at which of those is most interesting to you and run with it I say.

A degree is only achievable if you have the interest and drive to do it well.