What to study when no passion for any subject?

[Whyisitdarkalready]

My DS in in year 12. He's studying A level maths, computer science and psychology. We've been to a uni open day today, and we focused on the computer science department. He now says that nothing they shared about the course got him feeling interested in studying it. He just can't seem to find a course that makes his heart quicken and fill him with excitement for studying. It's the same for his other subjects.

Is university the right thing for him if he feels like he has no real idea about a career path?

What do you do if you have no idea???

Are there other things about going to university which excite him? Societies or living away from home or living in a certain place?

Does he have any idea of what career he would like?

How did he choose his A-Levels?

Perhaps an apprenticeship would suit him?

https://www.gchq-careers.co.uk/our-careers/early-careers/degree-apprenticeships.html

Or BAE for engineering?

https://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/

Further ideas here.

https://www.baesystems.com/en/careers/careers-in-the-uk/apprenticeships

https://www.ey.com/en_uk/careers/students/programmes/schools

EY - accountency, bus8ness and digital apprenticeships

Would he be interested in computer forensics? That's always a really interesting course.

Thank you for the suggestions. The only thing he has shown the slightest interest in is cybersecurity. I'm just glad he's got a bit longer until he hasn't to decide.

There are several unis that do entire degrees in Cyber Security. Worth a look.

Some courses vary a lot from uni to uni. so it's worth checking out the actual modules.

Or he could think about which jobs interest him and then do some research into what background people have who work in the field he wants to join.

Contrary to popular perception you don't need to be 'passionate', 'excited' or enthusiastic about something to do a degree in it. You just need to be interested enough to study it for 3 years.

However, if he cannot manage even that then there's no harm in an apprenticeship or work experience, then going to uni later if needed.

Or even better a degree apprenticeship!

University is expensive and has become even more burdensome with the new student loan plans. You also only get one shot at an undergraduate degree, so I wouldn't advise anybody to just 'get a degree' for the sake of it these days.

Cybersecurity, anything tech has loads of apprenticeships, aim for one of those would be better.

The problem I have to add to this is that he is super shy, an introvert and he just wouldn't have the drive to try to beat everyone else in interviews. So the degree apprenticeships would probably be impossible as he just wouldn't stand out at interview.

Our local university does a cybersecurity degree, so I think that will be his first choice.

Thank you to the poster who said that you don't need to be completely passionate to do a degree. I think I need to readjust my thinking about his choices, so thank you for giving me a different perspective.

@Whyisitdarkalready He could get his results and work for a year if he’s not ready? Mature a bit.

Also, if he has no idea about a career, an apprenticeship will be impossible. Which one? What career? Apprenticeships make you choose a career even earlier! At least with a degree you get options at the end of it.

Thanks @TizerorFizz

Yes, I think it's either a degree or a job for a year before deciding. Thankfully we have a few more months before he has to make any decisions. Hopefully he will be inspired by something on an open day.

Just a thought, but lots of unis and colleges offer Foundation Diplomas for one year. DC is going to do one in Art, and knows they want to do an Art degree. BUT, crucially, we've found that Foundation courses are available in a lot of subjects. They give you an overview of a subject, are only one year if you hate it, if you love it it's often an easier way into the associated degree, and you end up with a Diploma after a year anyway.

Work backwards from his end goal.

Get him to work out what kind of lifestyle he wants. How much does he need to earn to make that happen? What working conditions is he willing to put up with? Then which jobs will fit that. Which degrees will get him access to those jobs? Which of those does he like the look of the most?