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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

Suggest some career idea of DS?

25 replies

redwinegulper · 15/04/2019 23:10

He's currently studying history at Oxford but has no idea what he wants to do!

He's obviously really into history. He likes design/the built environment/property.
He's quite into economics too and the latest affairs.

Can anyone suggest a grad scheme or career that he could look into?

He doesn't want to become a university lecturer or a teacher, he's ruled those two out!

OP posts:

BubblesBuddy · 16/04/2019 03:18

He could consider being a Town Planner. Have a look at the RTPI web site for information on routes. Many Geography Grads do this but History is ok too I believe. Local Planning Authorities recruit grads and have grad training schemes so he could see if there are any opportunities.

He could also look at grad schemes with large property companies with a view to being a Chartered Surveyor. DDs friend who is a Geography grad is doing this but he would need to check regarding History.

As he’s not doing Economics or Politics, I’m not sure what to suggest in this field. However there are numerous careers open to History grads and he can always look to the Civil Service! Or Law!

I’m sure other people will have more suggestions and no doubt the careers office will too.

Xenia · 16/04/2019 08:56

Does he have any life goals eg does he wanta lot of free time or does he want a lot of money? Does he want to buy a house and keep a family in a certain style in a certain area or does that not matter to him?

Sometimes it helps to start there - the kind of life and income level he wants.

jaguar67 · 16/04/2019 10:08

I read History at Oxford & went into HR - great career with plenty of opportunity for travel. Was fortunate enough to be offered a Grad training scheme, with support for CIPD professional qualification. Competition - as with everything else - is fierce. Note: he will be up against graduates following more vocationally focused courses (Business Management etc) & may well need to complete a postgraduate qualification before being successful, but certainly worth a thought.

One thing also to bear in mind if he considering business/ industry/ commerce - employers value numeracy ( and nowadays data analytical skills) enormously. Without a Maths A level, I found this ruled out many career options in the short-term (if he has Maths or an A level with Maths content, brilliant). Oxford has a great Careers Service and I'd suggest a visit (if he's not already done so) to explore not only where his preferences lie, but what is realistic with his undergraduate degree. It may well be that a further post-grad qualification is the best stepping stone to get him where he wants to be.

If he's in his 1st year, make sure he throws his hat into the ring for 2nd year internships - employers not only using these as key recruiting avenues, it's a great way to test the waters. I know of current History undergrads who've secured places on schemes as far spread as Banking, Ops Management & Network Rail.

Good luck to him!

ifonly4 · 16/04/2019 10:49

Is there anyone at the uni that he can talk his options over with. I'm sure Oxford will be aware of where many of their history graduates end up.

BubblesBuddy · 16/04/2019 13:11

I agree that economics will be extremely difficult without a maths A level but there are roles that don’t require maths. Does he have a maths A level?

HR is a possibility but it’s quite a long way removed from his interests.

I think, though, his current interests will have grads with more relevant degrees applying. Eg: the built environment is flooded with architects who don’t always find it easy to get jobs. There are also environmental engineers, civil engineers and others who are qualified to work in the built environment. So he really needs to look at ways in that a History grad can realistically achieve. Whether this is by employment or a masters is something to find out.

BestZebbie · 16/04/2019 13:40

Prime Minister? :-) More seriously, civil service fast track.

goodbyestranger · 16/04/2019 14:08

ifonly4 yes there's a very good careers service:

www.careers.ox.ac.uk/

Probably significantly more clued up advice than you'll get on here.

BubblesBuddy · 16/04/2019 14:50

As lots of my friends are planners, I’m fairly clued up about that! Ditto the built environment as DH has a successful consultancy in that field! However, I did suggest the careers service!

cheeseypuff · 16/04/2019 14:55

I used to recruit for Charted Surveying companies & there was very much a shortage of them about 10 years ago. Lots of the big companies offer grad training schemes & I don't think are too concerned about degree disciplines.
One of the large commercial property management companies?
Journalism of some sort if he's into current affairs?
A decent history degree from Oxford would stand him in good stead for most graduate training schemes.

serii · 16/04/2019 16:26

Does he mind being skint? If not, archaeologist.

Original poster

redwinegulper · 16/04/2019 17:27

Thanks all for the replies! I've told him to go and book an appointment at the careers office next term. Can he just turn up and ask "What should I do with my life?"

He doesn't have maths a level, nor was he ever a huge fan of algebra.. He did economics at a level which was a little bit Mathsy I suppose.

He said he would like to live in a big city when he graduates but in the long run doesn't mind. I think priorities for him are money..
also the ability for it to be a career, rather than work to death for 3 years and be pushed out, which banking and law seems to be like.

OP posts:

CostanzaG · 16/04/2019 17:34

Get him to visit the careers service...they're qualified to give advice!!

History graduates are very desirable across many sectors

CostanzaG · 16/04/2019 17:36

Yes of course he can just turn up and ask that question! That's what careers advisers are there for!

Notageek · 16/04/2019 17:39

He needs to identify what he likes doing ...ie does he like meeting new people or prefer a set group, does he like order and method or variety and gut feel, creative or ordered ..You might be academically suited fir something but if it doesn’t fit your personality type you won’t last long.

sillyisles · 16/04/2019 22:32

Has he considered the law?

If he likes public speaking the bar is still very pro Oxford
City Law is becoming increasingly less oxbridge focussed, so he may find that a little harder. That doesn't mean that he isn't the brightest, it's just some firms are pandering to calls to let in more from other universities.

MillicentMartha · 16/04/2019 22:34

Civil service fast track?

MillicentMartha · 16/04/2019 22:36

Oops, see it’s already been suggested. Seriously, though, my friend’s DS has a place. He finishes his history degree this year.

MillicentMartha · 16/04/2019 22:38

From Oxford uni.

goodbyestranger · 17/04/2019 11:58

Haha to City law becoming increasingly less Oxbridge focussed!

mypieter · 17/04/2019 18:55

@goodbyestranger

What do you mean; are you suggesting that City Law is not becoming less Oxbridge focussed?

Or is it that perhaps they're less overtly open about favouring Oxbridge students?

Unescorted · 17/04/2019 19:03

He would be perfect for my job. It combines both the CS and QS/ Planning. We have a grad scheme.. I will PM you.

redwines · 17/04/2019 19:13

Thanks for all the advice again. He has considered law but it seems very very competitive, at least at the bar end of things.

I somehow forgot my login details so I am the OP! Could you message me unescorted?

goodbyestranger · 17/04/2019 19:40

Yes I am suggesting that. The top City law firms are stuffed with Oxbridge graduates. They simply advertise more widely than previously (when I got an offer they didn't advertise at all as far as I remember) but there are vastly more Oxbridge graduates than others getting offers. There's no 'pandering' - that's daft.

BubblesBuddy · 17/04/2019 23:09

No Oxford grad should be afraid of competition. It says something about you if you really want it and win through! The routes to a job are out there but most will be competitive! This is because humanities and other grads don’t come out with a career focussed degree so they have to train further on a grad scheme and in many cases take exams. It’s unlikely he will just fall into a great job without competition from English, Geography, Psychology, Philosophy, MFL, Business, Economics, Law, and many other grads!

eXistenZ · 26/04/2019 19:20

I think he should consider a career in management consulting. Given he is already at Oxford, tell him to join a consulting club that will help him prepare for case interviews.
Even if he doesn't make it to top tier consultancies (McKinsey/BCG), he could try for some of the others such as the consulting arm of Big4s or even an Oliver Wyman or Parthenon type of company. They offer interesting career prospects and can be quite lucrative if you do well and even if you don't want to do consulting forever you have good exit options with FTSE100 companies.

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