AIBU to discourage uni for daughter, I'm worried about debt without career plan?

[HappyLemonChickenCurry]

My eldest child is starting to think about her next move after 6th form and is talking about university, I went to uni in the 90's when financing was very different. She is academic and wants to go because she loves learning, but won't be studying a degree subject with a specific career goal or profession in mind. I am finding myself discouraging her because of the debt she will come out with and from what I hear about finding work after a degree, but am I wrong? Is the debt worth it for the formative experience? I would be really interested to hear experiences from those whose children have recently graduated, or peoples thoughts in general. It feel so counter-intuitive to be discouraging!

What?! Honestly some of the advice on this thread is so completely out of touch. A degree is mostly useful as a launch pad into some industries, unless it’s a profession that specially requires a degree lots of career paths simply do not care about degrees once you have experience. I’m noticing more and more in our industry that there are alternate routes into the sector, completely side stepping the need for a degree at all. And I’ve never personally encountered someone being unable to promote within a field they are already in without a degree. (not saying that doesn’t happen, but it’s not inevitable nor indeed I would argue even common place).

absolutely the parent’s decision unless the child is asking for zero input for accommodation/transport/food etc
She can “love to learn” on her own money 🤷🏽‍♀️
I have a Uni qualification and am struggling on £14 odd p/h

Not having a specific career plan is ok but it depends on the course ? STEM subjects - especially if she is academic enough to take to a higher level - seem to give kids more options now and in the future

oh Sorry there’s a third point!

University used to be for what your daughter wants, a way to academically study a subject to a high level. Fees have made university all about getting a qualification for work.

I do feel for your dd in this change - there was always space for people who only wanted to study at university to improve their employment opportunities, but now the academically interested people like your DD aren’t encouraged, unless they come from wealthy families.

That said, if she’s really keen on a subject, she’s more likely to get a 2.1 or 1st compared to someone who’s not really interested and just doing it to pass 3 years/improve their job prospects.

Would you mind sharing what subject it is? There may be a raft of careers that degree subject could lead to, many of which you may not have thought of. There are also many jobs that want a degree but not necessarily a specific one. Any degree from a good uni at a high classification would do.

This is a really good point!

I would encourage if its a degree that is in solid subject. So called mickey mouse, subject no, point towards apprenticeship.

You are being short sighted.

If your daughter is academic and wishes to go to university you should support her choice.

Without a degree she would be limited in her choice of careers and I think it is unfair that you benefited from a university education but don't want your daughter to have the same opportunity

It is her choice and her life ultimately and you have to respect that.

Please do not discourage her. It is her life and her decision entirely.
There are arguments on both sides but she needs to consider these herself.
If you push one view on her she will be tempted to push you away.
By all means have an objective discussion with her if she is willing, looking at all sides and all possible options and sources of advice. Then leave her to think it through herself.

Psychology (with some neuroscience if that is possible but she doesn't think it will be) or biology. She is currently studying for the International Bachelorette.

I may not have seen every post but I’m genuinely interested to know those who are saying it is up to the DD alone what they think about parents having to contribute £6000+ if they’re only entitled to minimum loans. That seems to be completely overlooked? Parents should get no say and just stump up the cash? It’s more nuanced than this surely.

Honestly? I think you are right to be cautious....now.

My youngest has just graduated and yes, it is really grim out there in the 'real world'. She has an art subject and really, it doesn't equip her for much practically. However, she had the most lovely time at uni, the experience we all dream of. Was it worth getting into debt for? The jury's still out. She has just landed her first (minimum wage) job, after A LOT of applications - but it is in a related field to her degree.

I will say that if your DD does go, she needs to be clever about it while she is there. That looks like - get any relevant work experience that she can. That might be choosing a course with a practical or field study module. Be chatty and interested in the lecturers so they remember her and get those personal references. Choose a dissertation subject that she will be able to put on her cv. Be a student ambassador for open days. Write for the student paper. Basically, use all the resources available to her with an eye on her future (and her cv).

You can encourage her to be fully informed about debt and try to reduce it by working on a gap year or while at uni, going to uni at home city or a cheap housing city, etc

Natural science at York ?

I agree… milk the resources at uni society wise, careers service, language lab, etc

I think it is unfair too, I would love her to continue to learn and grow for learnings sake, I am just trying to find the right balance on the advice I give her, and I find myself leaning towards discouragement, However, this thread is really making me think. We have always tried to be open minded about education, and this is a good reminder to continue to do so.

Support her to go. She may not earn enough to pay back or she may. Will be for her to take on.

@HappyLemonChickenCurry she could defer a year and work to raise funds so wouldn’t have to borrow so much

OP, does she have a specific career in mind? Is she keen to practise as a psychologist?

Or kings in London

Has she thought about doing a degree on day release? My Stepdaughter did her degree through her employer and now has a fantastic career with no debt whatsoever.

Oh right.

Also the parental contribution required now IS a consideration & I guess parents are entitled to say 'No I'm not supporting this'

but it just sounds so sad not to support a young person who loves learning but just hasn't yet decided on their career path, rather than just wanting to go for the 'fun &
partying'

What are the alternatives?
Higher level apprenticeships are great but very competitive the young person really needs to know what career they want.
Generic school leaver trainee jobs are very few and far between.
Without a plan to go to uni this year or next year (gap year and deferral) she’s going to end up in hospitality or retail isn’t she? Is that what and and she want for her?

honestly im not in the uni for everyone camp but for a bright student who loves learning but doesn’t have a particular career in mind I’d say it is the right route. Make sure the subject and institution have a wide appeal to employers and good employability stats.

I am so glad I went to uni, and not necessarily just for the academic side of things (although I loved that too) but for the opportunities and personal growth it afforded me. I met some great friends who I'm still friends with nearly 10 years later. I got to live and work abroad for a year as part of my degree, and that was so formative for me. I became a lot more confident and independent and had great experiences that I never would have had had I not gone to university.
While I now have student debt, I don't feel burdened by it. I consider it a tax rather than a loan, as I never see the money I have to pay back. Unless something drastic happens with my job I am unlikely to ever pay it off but it gets written off eventually anyway. Don't let the financial aspect prevent you from encouraging your daughter to do what she wants.

Parents should want the best for their kids surely...that usually involves saving and financial sacrifice.

I’m grateful neither of mine is super academic!

DD is going to do a PT degree at a University just down the road so she’ll live at home. It’s also a health-related course so has an NHS bursary towards tuition fees. At one point she was talking about going to a Uni at the other end of the country to study Art. Whilst she is a very talented artist, I’m glad she’s chosen this other course.