Anyone else not been happy with their DC choice of uni/ course

[Tweennightmare]

DS off to Uni this September. He has worked really hard and I am really happy for him but I am not happy with his choice of course. I have secretly hoped he would change his mind but that hasn't happened. He wants to do Environmental Health I think it is too limited for career prospects and also limited job opportunities . Also I see it as more a mature student choice and worry he may not have the "full" student experience. Should I just back off and let him get on with it. I have voiced my concerns but I obviously don't want to crush his enthusiasm but as his decision is getting more real I am getting more anxious about it. I am almost hoping for him to drop after a term! Anyone else been in this position!

That should be drop out after a term!

It's a great course and can lead to many career opportunities. A friend of mine who did that tests beach water - great job that he loves very much and another became a primary school teacher.
Let him do what he loves.

I think it's a fantastic course. Is it at a uni beginning with S ?

I had a boyfriend doing it and housemate. Both got fantastic jobs. I think its wise to do a vocational type course that had definate career prospects

I used to be an environmental health officer and I loved it. It's an amazingly varied job that I always found interesting. You are never going to be a millionaire with it but it's reasonsably well paid and even though 'Council' jobs aren't what they were it's still a sensible option.

By the time I was about 25 I had been promoted and had a team of 6 Environmental Health Assistant all of whom were older than I was and had better degrees from better Unis in subjects like Chemistry and Biology.

Sometimes doing a more niche degree is a good idea.

Thank you everyone who has posted I am already feeling a million times better. I think I am probably overthinking everything he is my PFB and I obviously want him to follow his aspirations but I am just scared in case he is making a mistake I guess none of us can predict the future. I will try and embrace his enthusiasm and keep everything crossed!

Also I see it as more a mature student choice and worry he may not have the "full" student experience.

I don't know anything about the particular course, but he will live with and mix with people from every course and it shouldn't affect his 'student experience'.

I would feel more reassured that my DC had actually chosen a niche subject as it meant that they thought about it more and will enjoy it more than say doing something more generic like English. Please tell him you are proud of him for choosing this.
Also uni experience wise, people get lumped together in flats from different subjects and people often have those as friendship groups more than course friends, if you have a subject with only 3 hours lectures per week.
I really think he is being sensible and he will have picked up on your not so subtle talking. Surely it's too late for him to drop out and get another place now? Be proud of him

I didn't feel happy with either of my DSCs choices - however they were happy so I kept my mouth shut & was supportive in practical, financial & emotional ways wherever it was appropriate.
Both graduated (with 2:1s) and neither know how I felt.
It's up to you to decide how much you want to interfere in their decisions.
FWIW I think Env H is a great choice, it's a relevant subject to many areas of employment - way more than the ones my DSCs chose!

Future that is what I am scared of that he will pick up my concerns and spoil it for him. I do have form for overthinking things! Right thank you Mumsnet you have given me the advise I needed. I am off now to return his hall of residence acceptance letter and join him in his excitement of this next step in his life

A friend of mine did this course some time ago. He's occasionally an "expert" on local tv and radio programmes and loves his daytime environment-related career too. His ex girlfriend did the same course and then did the law conversion post grad course, the last I heard she was a solicitor specialising (presumably) in something relevant to the environment.