Year 13 - doesnt have a clue what to do next

[minesawine]

Hi - My DS is in Year 13, studying A Level Maths, Psychology and Economics. I am trying to get him to focus on what his next stage is and he has no idea. Sometimes he says he will do a Degree Apprenticeship as he likes earning money (he has a weekend job) and other times he says he want the uni experience. The trouble with both options is that he doesn't have a clue what subject he wants to study. And I mean not a single idea! Everything I suggest sounds boring, but he cannot think of anything himself. I even suggested a gap year whilst he decides, he doesn't want to do that. We have done a few online psychometric tests which mostly say he should be a teacher (never gonna happen). Does anyone know of any good career or university choice test. I don't mind paying and really need some help. Thank you

Might his hobbies give you an insight into why he could enjoy?

How about a gap year till he figures out what he wants to do. Speak with a career advisor maybe?

Perhaps something like UCL's Bachelor of Arts and Sciences www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/undergraduate/degrees/arts-sciences-basc/

It's like a build your own degree.

I think Exeter and Durham have something similar. Try searching for Liberal Arts degrees.

A degree apprenticeship could be an amazing option - the employer will pay him a salary and cover the tuition fees. However, he needs to be looking NOW at when deadlines are. DH's company offer then, the deadline for registering interest is very soon, and then the official application needs to be done in January. He should obviously speak to his school / college for advice, and Google what apprenticeships are available (new ones were approved this year).

If he has chosen Maths and Economics then could Business Management or Economics sounds like they could be a possibility? There are many nauances on differing courses so he could find something that skikes his interest. Otherwise is he saying he is not interested in his A levels? He could do Law. He could do Social Work. Is he a people person? Try and find a UCAS fair.

Have a look at Cambridge Occupational Analysts Ltd www.coa.co.uk/

DD;s school uses them - we were given a massive careers directory but DD decided on aiming for a career in medicine so its sitting going dusty atm.

Gap year - or two. University is brilliant but if they aren't ready or even that keen it's a waste of money. They can go at 19, 20 ... Bonus, they can save up money too! My daughter worked for a year and put in a lateish application for entry sept 18 here so no accommodation bills and can keep job (reduced to part time). Higher apprenticeships are really good too, need quite a lot of drive as lots of distance learning, but again doing a gap year first is an option

There's no point in him looking for a job or uni course until he's clear about his direction. If he does, he would most likely not have the motivation to make it successful. His case is very common in young (and not-so-young) people. Before retiring I was a careers adviser in a very well-respected international school and I came across his situation very frequently. To find the right direction, his aptitudes, interests, talents, work-style preferences and personality have to be considered and analysed to identify a potential range of careers (and routes into them). I'd advise good quality psychometric profiling such as Morrisby Online (www.morrisby.com). The online profiling is used in conjunction with a counselling session (essential!). Once suitable directions have been identified, he would then be advised to research them (lots of help given with this) including advice to speak with professionals doing these careers and trying to gain work experience to make the reality check. Please don't swamp him with all sorts of options as he will just become more confused. Menu-led careers guidance doesn't work. It starts with the individual and their qualities, then match these with careers that require those qualities. Good luck!

I'm going through discussions like this with DS2 at the moment!

I'm also quietly concerned about University and grades so I've gently pushed him to look at other choices!

Has anyone else seen this thing called The F Factor? I saw it on Facebook and twitter with a few celebs tweeting about it. I’m going to get my boy to enter, if anything it looks good on his CV and in personal statements and he can talk about it in job applications.
They’re offering kids about your son’s age a £10k prize to turn a business idea they might have into a proper business. Looks like they do apprenticeships too. Have linked the Facebook post here for you. www.facebook.com/f.factor/videos/1987605298211578

Hope it helps somebody!

Watching with interest because Ds1, although a bit younger, has no idea!

I know the struggle.. my son doesn't know what to do either. Eventually we/he ended up deciding to take a gap year to really figure out what's right, but during this year he set up his own company based on his hobbies, and this is currently what he is still doing. Considering now doing something like an open university course on the side to get the official qualifications.
My daughter on the other hand is currently finishing up her IB (A level equivalent) and applied to study medicine. To make sure this is right for her she is going to do the medical preschool summer course by howtoib.com. See if its really the right decision. It can be a tricky one but as long as theyre enjoying what theyre doing!

Has he looked at degree apprenticeships that are run by the big 4 accountancy firms - its not just to become an accountant