After uni plans?

[howwillthispanout]

I know this isn't strictly about HE but thought best place to ask.

DD is in her third year and has no concrete plans post graduation - think she wants to stay in uni city a bit longer which is doable as she's got a part time job that pays well enough.

She has looked at graduate schemes and possibility of postgraduate study but is in no rush and wants time to think.

Go your DCs have firm plans or are they the same?

tbf, I know a lot of youngsters who have graduated who still don't have firm plans. Indeed, the overwhelming majority of my ds's cohort (graduated in the Summer) are working in similar jobs (or the same jobs) they used to keep them in cash whilst studying. It's a small minority that have been able to start on "a career".

DD1 is in the final year of a BSC. Her placement year confirmed to her that she does want a science career. She is looking at science graduate programs but also keeping the MSc option open.

I think the sciences are different in that if you don't keep up to date then your degree can be out of date very quickly. A resting year can affect available options.

dd has got herself on a graduate scheme. She is staying up North for now.

DD is thinking about the NHS Scientist graduate training scheme (studying Biomed sciences and would like to use her degree in some way if possible). Any body know anything about it.

I think if your DDs interests lie in campaigning and volunteering then she needs to look at the voluntary sector for a job. I know several people who have done Womens' Studies and all work for the voluntary sector so it appears to pidgeonhole you a bit. It possibly is not the best prep for lots of grad jobs, apart from lecturing, but she will know that.

I think that many parents these days worry about careers after university. It is quite natural with undergrad loans, MA fees and living costs. Everone can do what they want for as long as they want, but surely looking after yourself and paying for yourself has to be a goal in the end (unless you stay at home forever of course)? Sometimes degrees are fun but lead nowhere and itis expensive to find that out.

My reply was to Mrs Bartlett.

Bubbles, I do agree with your second [email protected]. At some point the fun has to stop and has to be paid for.

Thanks Bubbles. She is already involved with the Fawcett Society and hoping to do some voluntary work for them going into schools and talking about equality. She is mainly interested in writing and gender issues are what she is most interested in writing about. She already edits a magazine and writes for the Huffpost. I suppose like many young people she could end up with a portfolio of jobs. She is keeping her options open.

My elder DD did lots of volunteering. What your DD has to do is convert it to paid employment and this is the challenge.

Journalism (writing) is very poorly paid and the average “pay” for freelancers is £10,000 pa. The DS of a friend has kept his financial head above water but others we know have given up completely and have had to revaluate their careers (both Cambridge educated). Who you know is a big factor is writing for money it would appear.

There are jobs working for the Charities and no doubt this would be a way forward. The CAB in London has excellent projects young people can become involved with for example. My DD also trained to take calls from abused women for a charity. These opportunities are doing rather than writing but make a great contribution to society.

The important thing is not to narrow your interests down so that employment avenues are closed off. As you say, keep options open.

Yes it is all a bit of a worry. It would be easier if she wanted to go into a profession like medicine or the law where there is a set career path but that is not where her strengths lie. She will also be Cambridge educated (by the time she has finished!) but that obviously gives you no guarantee of work!

I gather the problem with writing is that so many people are willing and able to do it for nothing. They want to be published. They are but then cannot convert it into paid Work. I honestly think a certain amount of luck is involved and getting noticed is key.

I think you are correct about a career path. The young people I know all had articles published but the successful one had articles published by a daily newspaper and was able to build on that.

I wouldn’t give up but I would have a plan B. There are jobs for good grads in the voluntary sector and they have in house magazines/web articles which need contributors for example. I am sure she will find a way in but she is operating in a fairly narrow sector.

DD did all her volunteering in order to pursue a legal career. Not that there are any guarantees there either!