To think DD should pick to study what she is interested in and not what she'll get a job in?

[Dovinea]

Help!

DD is 18 and is applying for uni very soon. She is very good at science and her main interest is everything associated with zoology. She says she has looked into job prospects and other stuff and says it's quite hard to find a job that would be interesting to her, so she'd mainly prefer the studying part, so she is planning on doing biomedical science, where the uni she is liking does a fast-track into the NHS year, so she can take up a job within there.

AIBU to think she should do the degree she will enjoy the most?

I am an academic.

I am in sciences, but not this field.

On the fence with this one.

Yes, employability is a really important consideration - especially now given the loan funding structure etc. However - one of the surest ways of not reaching your potential is also to do a degree in something you are not fundamentally interested in, something that doesn't fire you up. So there is that too. University should be an experience that teaches you critical thinking and a host of other skills before it actually teaches you facts. Engagement is key to getting the best out of this process.

So - if (as a poster above describes) she would love to do music but opts instead for sciences then that is one thing - a completely different option. However I think this one merits a closer look. Is she aware of the content of a biomedical, as opposed to biological sciences degree? She is effectively streamlining herself quite strongly here too. If she is the type to definitely not want a 'graduate scheme' type path when she comes out, is this really going to provide what she wants?

I agree with other posters that zoology is not the best option, but I'm not convinced she'd not look back and regret or not enjoy the type of training that biomedical sciences provides, especially if it's clearly not her passion. This is where the key question is - what uni? Yes it absolutely does matter, and if she is good at sciences and expects top results I would say that the route that potentially gives her the most options and flexibility is something within biological sciences at a good university. That way, she could hopefully take options which feed her interests while coming out with a very good 'general' science degree.

Can she not do both? A biology course with elective zoology modules available? To keep options open?

Oh and just to say it is not a given that your first degree sets things in stone. My first degree was in an arts&humanities subject, I ended up doing my PhD in the sciences. Rarer now though given how much it all costs, I'm sure.

It depends how much your daughter thinks she will enjoy biomed. If it is something she is purely doing for prospects, and will just graft through, I'd recommend doing something she does enjoy - as she may end up stuck spending years in a career she doesn't enjoy. However, if it is the case she likes the sound of the degree and has some interest in the area, it could be a good decision.

While she sounds a bright and sensible young woman, the one thing she won't have at her age is context and experience in the world of work. There may be fewer direct career routes stemming from zoology, but once you start in the world of work you realise the vast majority of people don't work in a field directly related to their degree. The institution and grade will be more important for most graduate jobs. This doesn't mean that biomed isn't a good option, but the other side of the argument is that doing well in a degree she loves may stand her in good stead for a wide array of jobs she may not have even considered yet.

I got told to study what I enjoy. I wish I hadn't listened. I would never encourage anyone to pick a course they hated, but employability/long term planning is better.

I once met someone who had an MA in egyptology - unless you teach it a university, there are no jobs. He worked as an archivist at GE. Alone. In the cellar.
Sounds like my perfect job!
But I do think while employment is important, you still have to enjoy what you study. If you don't enjoy it, how are you going to enjoy the job it (hopefully) leads to?

Interesting that this is getting very different responses from the 'should my son do Philosophy' thread.

Philosophy is SUPER employable tho!

Why doesn't she want a grad scheme? Getting on a good grad scheme is a great way of building your career.

She can take some elective modulus too normally to swing it in a direction she prefers 'for fun'

And nothing wrong with being an archivist. That's a graduate job. I have a friend who's an archivist in one of the most renowned institutions in the country and she adores it

It’s a difficult one - I did a subject I loved and enjoyed uni immensely ... but now I’m struggling to find a job whereas my mates who hated their courses are on 30k.

Employability over enjoyment these days I’m afraid.

And @Dovinea she will want a grad scheme when she graduates ... everyone is scrambling for any kind of job in final year and grad schemers are extremely lucky. And I went to a top 10.

I have a useless degree, I wouldn't recommend it.

I've spent my life in low paid jobs being bullied (managed) by people who have 2 GCSEs and massive chips on their shoulders.

I also will add my vote to thr overwhelming majority supporting your daughter. If you’re going to spend all that time money and effort getting a degree do it in a subject you have a good chance of employment. She doesn’t need to work for thr nhs, plenty of private pharmaceutical companies out there, and many job options.

Good for her, seems like she sees the degree as an investment in her future career and not just something to do because she fancies it.

I agree with your daughter's choice too.

I did as you suggest and chose a subject I enjoyed. It was a waste of three years and I'll be paying off the debt for many years. I also have to explain in every interview why I took the degree I did.

How I wish I'd had better guidance and chosen something that would have boosted my career.

I spent years at uni because I had no notion of employability when I applied. I got more and more qualifications because I had no idea what I wanted to do with them.

I chose A Levels I thought were impressive and applied for degrees based on my best subject from those 4.

Your daughter sounds smart. I've enjoyed my career (and still do) but do wish I'd had your child's approach.

Unless she's thinking of Oxbridge, its better to go down the vocational route.

I really object to the phrase 'useless degree' on here. There is no such thing.

No, tell her to go for job & high paying. Wish someone had told me that when I was starting UNI.

bullied (managed) by people who have 2 GCSEs and massive chips on their shoulders

1.) How do you know they have 2 GCSEs
2.) Whats that got to do with them being arseholes?

Bullies come from ALL academic backgrounds.

I'm really very happy I studied the field I loved with no regard whatsoever for future employability.

Life is for living not for stockpiling cash.

I went for a subject I loved, spent years studying the subject only to end up in an unrelated job that I hate and am stuck in because I have bills to pay and there's nothing else about. All those years of studying when I could have picked something a little less far fetched and ended up in a job that was decent and well paid. Employability every time, a lesson I learned the hard way.

I think she should go for what on consideration seems the best route to her, not what her mum thinks is the best route. For some people, the chance to do something they really love is worth some risk-taking (have a dd who is currently studying acting so I know about that side). Other people are not risk takers, or do not have such a strong attachment to one particular thing. It is for her to decide who she is.

The only thing I'd say is, don't go into something you know you wouldn't enjoy or something that doesn't seem a good idea to you.

Also, don't bank too strongly on employability in these uncertain times. Employability is not the same as having a red carpet rolled out and waiting. I know plenty of people who have chosen safe subjects and ended up struggling to find a job.

But the decision must be about what is right for her.

LaurieMarlow

Really?

www.bachelorsportal.com/study-options/268927052/gender-sexuality-studies-united-kingdom.html