To not encourage DS to go to Uni?

[Walterand719]

He’s 1st year A levels, doing humanities, predicted 3 As. He’s never wanted to go to university and his mind hasn’t changed. I know his college focuses a lot on Uni-lots of information sessions, visitors etc. so he knows what it’s all about.

I was in the generation where Uni felt like the only option after A levels and it would have been very odd for me not to go. It was pretty much assumed that I would and I don’t know anyone from my year that didn’t go.

Anyway, he’s going to apply for an apprenticeship. He has several ideas in mind and he’s building his CV and work experience around them.

Am I doing the right thing by not pushing him to go to university? I’ve really not encouraged (I’ve not discouraged it either just left him to make his own mind up).

Depends what sort of field he wants to go into. Are there many apprenticeships that suit those with an interest in the humanities?

Well with 3 As at a-level then he’s a clever lad and it would be fairly unusual for a boy like that to not attend university in this day and age. But if he has no interest in going and has a clear path for what he wants instead then let him get on with it.

What possible benefit would there be in pushing him to do something he doesn’t want to do? Especially something that requires high levels of self-motivation?

It's fine. Sounds like he has a bit of a plan. Better to be a committed apprentice than a clueless undergraduate.

I think you would be more unreasonable if you pushed him to go to uni when as a clearly bright person who has weighed up the benefits has decided he doesn't want to go.

Being a straight A student doesn't mean you are obligated to further study. Personally, I think an apprenticeship is a more astute choice.

Degree apprenticeships are the future. Degree level training with a salary. You'd have to be mad to do anything else.

I am in a similar position but made more complicated by the fact that DH says DS MUST go to Uni and that as his sister is there already DS will be the only one of us not to have a degree.
I am largely ignoring DH and showing DS various options (including Uni) and telling DH DS will make up his own mind.
DS isn't sure what he wants to do but does not want any debt and would like to earn money asap - he is interested in Finance or Banking
Uni is not the only route

Entirely up to him
I would not interfere

What does he want to do? My friends child has recently started an apprenticeship where he goes to uni one day per week to work towards a degree too, he didn’t want just university and this suits him, he was also a high achiever in school, but he’s happier working, earning and studying together

I think it would be more irresponsible to push him down a path he doesn’t want to go down, particularly that would incur huge debts.

YANBU. Student debts are astronomical these days so if he doesn’t want to go I don’t know why you would push him.

There are degree apprenticeships - I would ask him to look into those.

Uni is not worth it unless you know what you want to do i.e the career you want from it. Nothing to stop you going later and when you can choose a course that will really matter to your chosen career.

Saving him from a daft amount of debt, and giving him a head start on entry level jobs ahead of many of his peers. Win win. And I say that as a huge advocate of education.

This.

A degree apprenticeship is surely the way forward then.

There are lots of Degree Apprenticeship options now, not going to uni doesn't mean not getting a degree. Not that I feel a degree is that important, some of the highest earners I know don't have one.

We have two sons. Both quite bright, but v different. DS 1 was adamant he didn't want to go to uni. He worked for a few years and then did an apprenticeship. He is now working in a field he loves.

DS2 did his A levels (AAB) then went to an RG uni. He's now working in a professional job and enjoying that.

Both have taken the path that's right for them. And we have supported them.

He’s doing a good thing imo

As a university lecturer of many years' experience. YANBU. I deal every day with the fallout of students who are only really there because it's expected of them. It almost never ends well.

Tbh I increasingly feel that no one should go to university before the age of 21, but that's probably another thread entirely. Suffice to say, university will still be there in 3/5/10/20 years if your ds changes his mind, but it's absolutely not necessary or sensible for him to go straight after A-levels if he's not interested.

I agree, DH is just adamant that at some point his career will stall without a Degree

Only 1 out of my 4 went to university and was left with a £40,000 bill.

Its absolutely the right thing to do to support him into work or an apprentiship.

What i would say is the apprentiships, especially degree apprentiships, are very difficult to get. Your son might be the person who gets one and good luck. But you do need to think of what the plan is if he isnt in that small group who are succesful. Will it be work and apply for more apprentships over a few years which is a good plan
.

I find MN overwhelming positive about apprentiships but a bit unrealistic about the numbers available. in my sons friendship group, no one got a degree apprentiships despite applying. . There were quite a few level 3 apprentiships achieved though which have been good.

I am taking the same attitude.

Dc is still doing gcses at the moment. Wants to do A levels. Knows some subjects they want to do, unsure of the others - has considered a few but plenty of time to decide yet.

They have said themselves they want to do an apprenticeship if they can. Not discounting going to uni, but if they can get to where they want to be doing an apprenticeship, instead of a degree then why not. They would be earning sooner and not have a student loan to be paid out of future earnings. There would always be the option to do a degree after the apprenticeship if they felt it the best option.

I guess it depends what line of work he goes into @Hoppinggreen
My relative passed Alevels but only just, through lack of effort rather than ability. Completed an apprenticeship, moved up to a new company after a few years, headhunted twice to higher roles, now MD and working in the background to start up their own company in the near future. Not yet 35!

And fwiw, my own ds didn't go to university despite very good A-levels. He went straight into a 'graduate' job at a household name media group, on the strength of his application, previous work experience and interview alone.

Many businesses are much less concerned about a degree these days.