Social work vs Criminology

[katedan]

I am posting this in a couple of places to hopefully get some replies. I am currently in the process of applying to Uni. I had planned to study social work but the course is M-F 9-5 including placements. The uni is an hour each way so I would be out of the house 10 hours a day and obviously with the exception of a bursary of £3700 a year this is unpaid. I have three primary school age children who woud need after school care (I think DH would be able to drop them off). I know I would get some study days but we do not know them in advance so I would have already forked out for childcare. I worked in law Enforcement for 14 years prior to kids and would not mind getting back into it (currently no jobs as public sector) So I thouht a degree in criminology would help me when jobs become available. This course is less contact hours and in something I have in some way done. However I am worried that it will not help me get employment unlike the social work course which i think might lead to work. I know the amount of hours you are in college is not a reason to chose a degree course however I need to put my children first but am desperate to get back into the workplace and want to maximise my chances of getting a job especailly as I will be 40 when/if I graduate which will seriously affect my employabilty aswell. Sorry this is long but if anyone has any advice I really need it asap as my UCAS forms are due in end of Nov. Thank you

Choose neither - my SIL is finishing her masters this year and it's been lots of work, if she'd had a family it would have been really, really difficult. There are also no jobs in this area, she says all of last years qualified students are still out of work. All of her family work in this field and she has somewhere to live while she waits a few years for the job market to pick up - she will also do bank work (very unsociable hours, nightshifts) to bring in some cash.

Criminology - I have heard this is about the worst degree for getting a job - article in either the Times or Observer in last few months (I get both) - think it was 78% of their students still out of work a year after qualifying?.

How about nursing? It will be very long hours and you will need to get a placement at a hospital close to you or it will be a nightmare - when I was training they decided to send me in to London for a shift that started at 7am - I tried it once, set off at 5am in the car (no possible public transport) - parking cost me £30 a day which was more than my bursary. I left by the way as it was impossible.

Radiology ?- much better course hours, have heard much better anecdotes about getting a job too.

Oh God laurie, you now have me really worried!! I had heard criminology did not get you straight into the job market which was my main worry 78% is high. I had hoped that my 14 years experience would also go in my favour although that would be 7 years out of date by the time I graduate. I am starting to think i should forget uni and take my chances in the job market while my experience is only 4 years out of date!!

Thanks for replying Laurie will look at your suggestions.

I think you need to work out more what you aim to do after the degree. If you really really want to be a SW then go for that - its tough work so you have to really want to do it.

If you're interested in probation-type work, there might be alternative routes?

Alternatively, you could look out for jobs like Social Care Assessor and apply part-time - some local authorities are still advertising for these roles and once you got experience you might get some support to do SW qualification.

Or do a different subject and aim to do the shorter post graduate 'Step up into Social Work ' later? This is a route which does not require a related degree but you have have a 2.1 I believe.

Good luck - its hard to study anything with young DCs around and personally I couldn't have done a course requiring full time attendance.

i'm a sw. 1 i love my job. 2 it was the second job i applied for. 3 there were lots of mums/dads on my course with young kids. 4 my practice manager at uni supported me through my final year/pregnancy and i graduated with no problems.

1. i know nothing about criminology but happy to gas about sw!!

interesting youve posted this as i am thinking about doing similar!was also looking at mental health nursing.will watch to see what advice you get!

Thanks for the advice, I am still pondering! Halleys, was your degree a fulltime course? what did you do about childcare as my costs will be so high after school care 5 days a week etc. Itis a shame I have to make a choice now for my ucas as I need more time to think.

yes fulltime but i didnt have dd then sorry

I'm in my second year of uni but I am studying English Lit. I have 3 children (9, 4 and 2) and I allocate full time hours to my course. I also work in my paid job three evenings and do maths GCSE on the other weekday evening. It is very hard going but do-able, I even got a first in my first year. We do qualify for tax credits and a full student loan/grant which helps.

Go for it. Social work being my vote.