Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

DS wasting further education

55 replies

sweetfeyd · 30/07/2018 11:40

So my DS has decided against going to uni even though his older brother has gone, in stead wanting to work. Me and DH supported this, but were concerned about the lack of extra qualifications down the road. DS is in process of signing up to the RAF but we don't think he will get any decent skills from his trade.

After lots of convos, DS agreed and we all. Agreed to some distance learning. Given DS 1000 to facilitate it, he goes off and gets it all booked. Sounds great? He has spent the money on a years study. Learning Klingon from Osric university!!! He always did love star trek. We are both fuming, its a total waste of money and if he's done it as a prank its a bloody expensive one as we can see the money has already gone to this 'uni'.

OP posts:

commonarewe · 30/07/2018 12:14

Look, you never know what kind of threats the RAF could be facing in the coming years!

mumeeee · 30/07/2018 12:16

I didn't know there were any such courses and yes his wasted the money you gave him.
But university isn't for everyone and of course going into the RAF will give him transferable skills.
It was your DS decision and should have just been accepted by you without insisting he does a course

KC225 · 30/07/2018 12:19

I burst out laughing at that one.

Funny's, funny.

Did your son do it as a 'I'd you keep going on about it' response? My Cousin's teenage son gaffer taped all his clothes to then wall after she kept complaining about them lying on the floor.

It sounds as if he has a good plan. And his head screwed on. You will dine out on this story for years. You will get to use it for his wedding speech. My friend's son blew nearly amount taking his now ex girlfriend to Glastonbury where split up on return. Look at it as a long term 'what about the time .....' investment.

It will be a stand out thing on his CV. It prices he has an aptitude to 'languages' and I guarantee every interviewer will ask him about it.

RideOn · 30/07/2018 12:20

A warning to parents pressurizing DCs to get a qualification! He has to want to do it.

After a talk I'd see if you can get a refund!

Original poster

sweetfeyd · 30/07/2018 12:20

I am glad he chose the RAF over the army, and for the final time I am supportive all we asked him to do was consider 'future proofing' with some extra skills.

Even at the office when we went for a visit, the person there said the RAF regiment was more fighting orientated, that some of the other trades were more technical and that the RAF regiment was the only one that went out front line with all the ammunition and all the bombs

OP posts:

sailorcherries · 30/07/2018 12:22

Good on your son, maybe now you will stop pressuring him in to roles he doesn't want.

He wanted to go in to the world of work. Who gives a flying monkey if his brother went to uni first? Many posters on here and people irl are a testament to a uni degree not facilitating a well paid career. Your son will have his foot in the door and could, potentially, have had 4 or 5 years experience on his uni bound friends before they become employees.

He then went for the RAF but neither youeself or your husband agreed with the regiment because it's not what your husband done. So fuck?

Your son has clearly made his thoughts on the matter very clear.

SugarIsAmazing · 30/07/2018 12:22

He can say he has a degree in "languages".

This is why you shouldn't pressure someone.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 30/07/2018 12:24

That's a clear nose snub, isn't it

If you can't cancel the cheque (sorry) he pays it back, simple as that! There's now way he thought that was the kind of course you meant. He is playing silly buggers and probably needs to be pulled up a bit short for being a total twat!

Good luck

NameChangedAgain18 · 30/07/2018 12:24

I am glad he chose the RAF over the army, and for the final time I am supportive all we asked him to do was consider 'future proofing' with some extra skills.

There is no such thing as future-proofing, as we don't know what the future will hold. I don't know about you, but I find it impossible to even imagine what our lives might be like in 20 years time, such is the pace of change now. And you don't learn all your skills in one go, in one intensive period straight after leaving school. The RAF sounds like an excellent starting point.

Bl00Curtainz · 30/07/2018 12:25

I've worked with several people who have had a previous career in the armed forces. They definitely have transferable skills.

UpstartCrow · 30/07/2018 12:25

Has he told you he's applied for the Paras?

Can he jog home from the supermarket carrying a weeks shop?

Glumglowworm · 30/07/2018 12:28

Honestly, it serves you right for trying to force him down a path that he repeatedly told you he didn’t want.

I’m sure a career in the RAF will be much better for his prospects than a random unrelated distance learning course (even one not in Klingon) would’ve been

MereDintofPandiculation · 30/07/2018 12:40

You got off lightly. He could easily have gone to uni with you supporting him (student loan just about covers accommodation costs, leaves nothing for food let alone any other expenditure) and then dropped out at the end of the second year.

Blobby10 · 30/07/2018 13:02

Sweetfeyd my son is in the RAF - unfortunately he didn't work for his GCSE's and therefore wasn't accepted at 6th form for A levels so had to join the RAF at the base level instead of a couple of rungs up where he really should have been as he's a clever lad once he puts his mind to it!!

Unfortunately he is bored stiff at the moment - he loved the hands on training he did for 18 months but is now half way through a 9 month classroom based stint and is miserable. He's learning some good stuff but the social side isn't all we hoped it would be!

Queequeg07 · 30/07/2018 13:44

But OP he could well end being very very important in the RAF if the Klingons land and attack. Or alternatively the Klingons might adopt him

NinetySixer · 30/07/2018 13:48

I did have to laugh at the Klingon bit.

However, if he isn’t inclined to go to Uni then the RAF is a great option. Far better than racking up a shit load of debt half arsing a mediocre UNi degree that won’t, realistically aid his career.

AJPTaylor · 30/07/2018 13:53

stop worrying about ds. the RAF is a great career route.
the klingon thing i would kill him for.

TheFaerieQueene · 30/07/2018 13:57

majQa' puqlI''e'. ghoS Hop!

your son will understand!

wizzywig · 30/07/2018 13:58

Bit insulting to those in the RAF isn't it?

LoniceraJaponica · 30/07/2018 13:59

If this is true why on earth did you give a teenager £1000 to spend on his education without checking to see what it involved?

mikeyssister · 30/07/2018 14:02

DB was in the Regiment, he joined the QCS, all he learned as a job skill was match extremely well and in time with others.

However, he learnt how to look after himself and work well in a team. He learnt how to make quick decisions and lead a team. He learnt how to motivate others. He learnt the value of discipline, self and others. He learnt an amazing work ethic. He learnt how to take and give orders.

He left school with no qualifications at all and now works as a University Lecturer. He puts his ethics, morals, standards and values down to the lessons he learnt in the Regiment.

So not all bad news.

Oh and embrace the Klingon - it'll always look good on a CV, he'll stand out from the crowd.

mikeyssister · 30/07/2018 14:04

March not match. The QCS is the display squadron.

NameChangedAgain18 · 30/07/2018 14:09

I hate to break it to you, OP, but you can learn Klingon on Duolingo for free.

BlueBug45 · 30/07/2018 14:22

But @NameChangedAgain18 do you get a nice certificate?

Train101 · 30/07/2018 14:27

Shouldn't have forced him to delay what he wants.
The raf will develop him in so many ways and support him with courses he truly wants to do.

Flip

1 2 3