To think art is a hobby not a degree choice

[smithsally884]

Dd y13 Maths probably C, physics probably B ,but shines at art and is predicted A* (94 percent share AS and coursework to be reused for a level). She is severely limited in what she can apply for because of poor predicted maths and physics . She wants to do some sort of art degree now.previously wanted to do primary ed with qts but now thinks it will be too stressful.i think she might as well burn £50k aibu?

i think she might as well burn £50k aibu

Well if she does an arts degree and then spends her life as a 'starving artist' she won't be burning £50k as she'll never earn enough to pay back much, if any of her student loans.

If art is what she is interested in and has the aptitude for, she's likely to do much better than a STEM degree and have a much better university experience, compared to a subject that she finds difficult and less interesting.

And with a good degree in a subject she has a talent for, plus contacts she will pick up along the way, that would probably be the best chance she has of a good career, that doesn't have to be strictly 'art' in the purest sense.

Great story heavenleighcasteel, I think it's a common one.

It's taken me a long time after years of very academic settings (top schools, intelligent and successful parents) to realise that what makes you happy in life is simple - doing something you are passionate about. If you have a talent, you will find a way to make it a successful career.

Architecture....it a no brainer given her profile.

i think she might as well burn £50k

Ahh, performance art.

If you think the arts aren't worthwhile as a career, please remove all arts from your life - TV, music, theatre, paintings, photography, books...

YABU and very narrow minded

YABU and a little down on your DD. What happened to encouraging your children to do the things they love?

Yab ridiculous, lots of people manage to build fantastic careers on an art degree, it can lead to all sorts of different opportunities. Why is physics so important? Also a B isn't "poor". Good God you sound like hard work.

Arguably an arts degree followed by a PGCE would offer her more flexibility and career options than a straight Primary Ed degree.

I did an art degree and masters, I loved it, but this was before degrees cost the amount they do now!

If it were my kid I would definitely advice taking a year out to travel and explore before making the decision.

I know people without degrees who have done far better than people with degrees, and I learnt a lot more about my area out of uni than I did in it, I think apprenticeships are amazing, as are local learning courses which aren’t so expensive.

Problem is, many jobs require more actual hands on experience than a degree, unless it’s for something like lawyer/doctor etc. I don’t see the harm in trying alternate routes before university, you need to weigh up whether the cost of the degree is worth it.

In my group of friends one of us doesn’t have a degree and has one of the best jobs and only one of two to own a home (we’re 32) another one has an amazing job but also got 4 A’s at a-level (also an art degree) and is an insane hard worker, I do well but my career has NOTHING to do with my degree, and the rest who went to uni have so-so careers.

Are other people seeing something I'm missing? I didn't read the OP as the dd having a burning passion for art that she simply must follow; I read it as she only wants to do art now as she's having a bit of a panic about what she actually wants to do being "stressful". And worrying that her grades won't be good enough to look at what she actually might want to do.

I really think that changes things here, doesn't it?

It seems like she's easily hitting the A* in art and thinks that that will be an easier route to a degree than pushing herself in the areas she actually wants to explore. OP, it sounds like she's having a bit of a crisis of confidence rather than having discovered a burning love for art.

Many people do well with art degrees. My grandfather has an art degree obtained in the sixties, he owned his own sign writing business which thrived until he retired a decade ago. He had enough money to retire in his late fifties.

You’re being that Mother and you know it’s not up to you what your children choose to do as adults, you don’t own them.

Loving your work Craft.

Though I'm not quite convinced the OP truly believes what she implied - that only people who couldn't get a degree produce art.

Why is physics so important? Also a B isn't "poor". Good God you sound like hard work

No a B in physics isn't poor, but a C in maths is quite average and suggests that she will struggle with the significant maths component of any degree level STEM subject.

She wants to do some sort of art degree now.previously wanted to do primary ed with qts but now thinks it will be too stressful.

If your daughter has a passion at that age, please allow her to follow it.

This doesn't sound much like a passion for Art. More like, I am not doing as well as I hoped in my other A Levels and now I'm just going to choose a course because I'm good at Art. The problem with that is the other 100,000 or so (or however many take Art degrees), Art students who do have a massive passion for Art, who will presumably be doing everything they can to get a job doing something Arty. Is there enough work (in a related field) for every student who takes an Art degree?

I am with you OP. Unless Art is your massive passion it can be a lot of money and time doing something because you couldn't think what to do.

Of course it's a degree and if she has a talent I'd be encouraging her to go for it.
I still mourn not having a career as an artist ( too late and not enough business sense)

If your daughter has a passion at that age, please allow her to follow it. This.

I'd also be encouraging to do a few business modules to build her art business.

It’s really, really important to enjoy and be talented at the subject(s) of your degree course.

How rediculous.
You need to support your child. They will figure out for themselves whether it was the right or wrong choice.
One could argue that university is to further study something you enjoy. Why push her to do something she doesn't like?

Amlen

The OP’s daughter is interested in art not an arts degree as such.

Craft1905

i think she might as well burn £50k

Ahh, performance art.

🤣🤣

My parents didn’t see art as a worthy degree, and didn’t encourage me. I got my place at art school
But their snobbery got in the way.

I ended up doing some wishy-washy degree just to get away and, although I got some semblance of a job from it, I deeply regret it. I knew what I wanted to be from 7 years old but it was made to difficult by overbearing parents.

Rapidly approaching 50 and with 4 teenagers, I would never dissuade my children. Creativity brings joy.

I have lots of friends who did art degrees or art foundations. One is an arts therapist, one a highly acclaimed illustrator and children’s book writer, one an architect and another who runs arts courses in the uk in winter and in Europe in the summer.

My husband has an art degree and a masters in the same subject. He now has a fabulous job earning a very decent salary. I think you’re op is very judgmental.