How on earth to choose a degree course ?

[Claybury]

DS is doing A'levels in maths, biology and chemistry. He should get A' and B's. He wants to study for a degree but has no particular career in mind. I'm sure he's not unusual in this respect at 17. But where do you start in terms of deciding ? He doesn't want to do straight maths or chemistry or biology at degree level. So I'm looking at things like biochemistry/ geology/ sports science. Thing is he doesn't have a clue how to decide. He's quite motivated by the chance to earn good money afterwards.

I have a degree in maths and wished I had looked a bit wider at subjects you don't do at school so I am keen to be open minded and to give him sound advice.
Does anyone have any advice on helping a teen narrow down choices ? Thanks

If looking at the heavy chemical industry, ime (previously worked in this industry), management all had degrees in chemical engineering, whilst those in the lab had degrees in chemistry.

I would not recommend sports science, few career options, lots working in low paid gym jobs or going back to uni to train as a physio.

I would actually suggest leaving university for now if he isn't sure what he wants to do. I know quite a lot of people who went to university at 18, got their degree, but then a few years later really wished they had studied something else as they decided they wanted a career that required a different degree, but couldn't afford to go back and do a second. I think there is a lot of pressure put on kids, both by society and themselves, to go off to uni at 18, but actually I think it is worth taking some time to think about what you really want to do. Even if he just takes a gap year and tries to get some work experience in areas he may be interested in I would consider that to be worthwhile. 17 is just so young to be making such a big decision. In a year or two he may have a far better idea of what he wants to do, or even what he definitely doesn't want to do.