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Higher education

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

2017 seems so long ago, now they're fledgling graduates.

997 replies

latedecember1963 · 06/03/2021 17:31

4 years since A Levels and the wait for August and confirmation of where our chicks were about to fly the nest to.
It's been 4 years that has sprung a few surprises along the way, not least this lovely series of threads.

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Thread gallery
11
Needmoresleep · 23/10/2021 11:12

Errol, There is plenty of law which requires maths. I used to work with big city firms regularly on PFI schemes, and lawyers needed either the maths or more specifically, the conceptual ability to understand a maze of NPVs etc. I would have thought that applies to quite a lot of longer term complex commercial contracts. A friend read maths and wound up as a lawyer with an insurance company. Law often seems to be considered a generalist career, but there are plenty of areas where a specialist degree is useful, eg scientific patents, medical negligence and so on. Languages too, for some international work. Equally I have known people switch to law after experience elsewhere, including working for a council housing department and working for an oil company overseas.

Great to hear about grad jobs and dissertations. Grad jobs are interesting. Because DD was at a London private school, a depressing number are back, often from Oxbridge, starting jobs in the city. She does not envy them, or indeed the narrowness of their experience. Many of my son's friends, in contrast, seem to have stayed with academia, in a variety of different fields, though a good sprinkling of both sets of friends have opted for the public sector including teaching. I suspect the income gap will soon prove divisive.

DD graduated on Wednesday. She was genuinely excited. Her prep school head "did not believe in dyslexia" and essentially wrote her off as unacademic, and indeed seemed genuinely cross when a couple of selective secondary schools offered her places. I think that this and years of struggling with reading out loud, copying down notes, and completing timed tests, took its toll on her confidence. But now she has a First, and her photo will join those of her brother and cousins on her grandparents mantlepiece.

Rather late in the day Imperial told her she needed to be there three hours in advance, so plans for lunch had to be scrapped. Instead we opted for breakfast on the 40th floor of the Heron tower - luckily it was a clear day, and she chose Lemon meringue waffle. Graduation, which was huge as it was the whole of the engineering department, Then pub, pre's and clubbing with coursemates she had only ever seen on Zoom. A good day, though the next day where she had managed to negotiate taking an evening shift to allow her time to get the early train back, was a bit harder.

She is giving up her idea of doing her elective abroad, and is looking for something which links with her intercalation. So we may have her back in London again for a while. I hope so.

Stopyourhavering64 · 23/10/2021 11:53

Ds is continuing to apply for grad jobs, and finding the cognitive online tests somewhat challenging with his dyspraxia
He's currently working in The Range , which is not quite what he'd imagined he'd be doing with his BSc, but at least it's work and money and he can save while he's at home
He's also desperate to get his drivers licence, but couldn't get test date until end of March 22!
Meanwhile his older sister, who graduated with a First 2 years ago , moved out to Bali a month ago working in sample development and is in her element!

bigTillyMint · 23/10/2021 16:21

@Needmoresleep your DDs graduation sounds fab! Im thinking my DDs friend should also have graduated (as also doing medicine) but at Bristol who don’t seem to be doing graduations of any sort Confused
My cousins DD was the butt of a lot of teasing as a child - she was dyslexic too. But in the end, she is the one who went to uni, got a first and scientific PhD - well done to your DD Smile

@latedecember1963, bad luck to your DS. The right thing will come through Smile

Gap year sounds great and being made the most of Eve!

I’m struggling to believe my DD is an actual worker now! She had one day in the office and 2 days wfh last week, which is just as well because she has a horrid cold bug (I have had one off and on for a month too, though not stoping my life Wink) She’s counting down the days to her first pay packet!

Xenia · 23/10/2021 19:09

My son mentioned a friend who just finished 2 years of Teach First but who has decided teaching is not for her. At least she tried. It is interesting hearing what they are all doing. I was just telling my son's friend in the car all about the law course the twins are doing only for him to say his sister did the same course 2 years ago - anyway a nice boy and they are both out tonight at a birthday party and my other son is away until Monday so I actually get a night alone in the house for a change which is very peaceful.

Parker231 · 26/10/2021 08:32

Good to hear of everyone’s celebrations and jobs.
DS is trying to sort what he needs to do for his Chartered Engineers qualifications. He’s get some credits for his Masters but needs to ensure the skills and experience he is getting at work is recorded. DD is continuing with her conference translator course - she’s picked the languages she is using for it and seems to be enjoying it. I think my DT’s will be studying for many more years.
Busy week here as we are hosting a party for DH finishing work. He finally hands back his GP contract at the end of this week. His parents are flying over from Canada - first time we will have seen them since Christmas 2019.

latedecember1963 · 27/10/2021 11:50

Job hunting is such an inexact science. My DH has always found it hard, so often coming 2nd after the 2nd or 3rd interview. Once he's in a job he flourishes. I've always said if he could skip the interviews and offer them a week's free trial they'd be snapping him up.

I'm glad you mentioned The Range, Stopyourhavering64. They are taking over the store previously occupied by Debenhams in our nearest town so I'll suggest to DS2 he checks for vacancies.

There was a documentary series a few years ago about high achieving graduates doing Teach First and it seemed such a baptism of fire compared to when I did a PGCE back in the late 80s. I've loved my work in education but it's not a job I've encouraged my sons to pursue.

I hope you and your family have a fabulous celebration at the weekend, Parker. I'm sure there will be lots of colleagues and friends wishing you and your DH well with the next move. All those patients whose lives he has touched for the better. 🥂🍾

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bigTillyMint · 27/10/2021 15:45

Teach First is indeed a baptism of fire, but my two benefitted from som great Teach Firsters at school and a friends DD did it and has stayed in teaching Smile

readsalotgirl63 · 27/10/2021 15:55

Have been lurking and enjoying hearing everyone's news. DD has been offered a traineeship with the firm she has done work experience with. She is very relieved ( as are we) as it takes such a lot of pressure off and she can focus on her PG course knowing she has a foot on the ladder career wise.
Good luck to all the other job seekers - I do think customer facing experience in retail is always very useful even if it's not a first choice.

Parker231 · 27/10/2021 16:14

@latedecember1963 - thank you. Am really looking forward to seeing everyone and celebrating DH. Seems so long since we threw a big party - an panicking that we haven’t ordered enough food and drinks!

Am really looking forward to DH having a proper break before our move (hopefully early next year). The stress of being a GP during the pandemic with ridiculous hours and worry hasn’t done his health any good. Am trying to persuade him to take up golf!

bigTillyMint · 27/10/2021 16:22

@readsalotgirl63, congratulations to your DD - mine found getting a job for when she had finished her MSc very comforting.

@Parker231, hope it goes well - happy retirement to your DH Smile

readsalotgirl63 · 27/10/2021 17:34

Thanks - yes dd feels very relieved and very fortunate as she has friends on the course who don't yet have anything.

@Parker231 hope the celebration goes well

Parker231 · 28/10/2021 08:48

[quote bigTillyMint]@readsalotgirl63, congratulations to your DD - mine found getting a job for when she had finished her MSc very comforting.

@Parker231, hope it goes well - happy retirement to your DH Smile[/quote]
I wish he was retiring but he’s not 50 until next year. It’s a celebration of the end of his years as an NHS GP. He’ll be continuing working in general practice once we have moved to Canada.

bigTillyMint · 28/10/2021 13:38

@Parker231, ooops! Ah well, Canada sounds very exciting Grin

drivinmecrazy · 28/10/2021 14:52

Disclaimer haven't read the whole thread.
When do undergraduates begin to look for positions post graduation.
DD1 is in third year and seems to be formulating an idea of what she'd like to do but actions are slow in coming.
Also do they go for graduate positions or look at the general jobs pools?
DD says she's got it all in hand but I worry she's not being proactive enough.
Understand she's got a gruelling few months ahead but feel she should be a bit more active in seeking future employment

Parker231 · 28/10/2021 17:51

@drivinmecrazy - different careers have different entry routes. DT’s knew what they wanted to do so perhaps easier. DD started applying (to only two organisations which worried me but specialist roles so limited opportunities) at Christmas of her third year. Interviews started at Easter, she found out she had a job in July and started work last September. DS decided on doing his Masters and started applying the summer his original degree finished. Due to lockdown and international travel restrictions he didn’t find out about his job until Easter and started work last month. Between the DT’s the process felt endless!
Good luck to your DD.

readsalotgirl63 · 28/10/2021 18:55

@drivinmecrazy dd is a would be lawyer so was looking for work experience placements from first year. She had 2 different placements in the summer between 2nd and 3rd year but had applied for lots and sent speculative emails also. She was invited back by 1 company for summer of 2020 but that was cancelled - however she went there in 2021 and they have now offered her a traineeship starting next year when she will have completed her PG diploma.

I think it depends on the subject/ career choice but lots of graduate entry schemes recruit during final year and I think @Xenia will say that law firms recruit 2 years in advance.

I recall from my own experience ( hundreds of years ago) doing the "milkround" in my final year and applying (unsuccessfully) for grad programs and jobs.

However job applications are very time consuming and a big distraction from actually studying !

bigTillyMint · 28/10/2021 20:50

@readsalotgirl63 congratulations to your DD getting a training contract!

@drivinmecrazy, my DD applied to two major National grad schemes at the start of her MSc, but said very few others wanted to apply for jobs whilst still studying - I think many students find it quite overwhelming to balance getting through a demanding application process at the same time as completing the requirements for their qualifications. We were so proud of DD getting a job as she has previously become very anxious and overwhelmed by this level of demand.

DS is now going through the gruelling process of applying for law internships whilst in the final year of his degree. We are hoping that he isn’t overwhelmed by it all.

Good luck to your DD, whether she decides to apply now or when she has completed her degree.

readsalotgirl63 · 28/10/2021 21:34

Thanks @bigTillyMint - it is a relief.

I agree with regard to the challenge of balancing study and job applications. The recruitment process seems to be evermore complicated and long-winded which is demoralising when DC spend time and effort for little or no return.

Xenia · 29/10/2021 07:57

Well done on the read daughter law training contract. Yes, law recruits at least 2 years ahead and good luck to the bigTilly son who is doing the right thing in applying whilst still an undergraduate. My advice to people is whatever subject at university if law is their plan then in year 1 get some informal work experience, start of year 2 apply for "vacation schemes" and start or year 3 (or summer holidays just before) start applying for training contracts for 2 years after you graduate (or just under 2 years after under the new SQE route to qualification which is just starting to apply to new people)

Not that my children listened to me about this......... but the twins certainly have a lot of friends who did do all that and now do have training contracts for 2022.

What undergraduates should do is look at the law firm websites as they all give the dates for applications and how far ahead they recruit. I did some informal work experience for 2 weeks in a law firm after my year 1 of mmy law degree and then i year 3 applied to 139 firms for a London training contract whlst doing my work in the last year of my degree and had 25 interviews before getting one in the January of the year I graduated (1982) to start in 1983 (after the post grad year of studies but it was conditional on a 2/1 and also passing the 1982/83 Law Finals Course. It is not too different now either.

All well here. One twin did his property law mock yesterday (he said it was awful as not done enough work) and the other the day before. I think they are doing their second today. It was property law my daughter's paralegal failed on the same course a while back which lost that girl her training contract at a top firm as that firm terminates the future contract if you fail even one exam on the course. However my daughter gave her the para legal job and she went on to qualify elsewhere so it was all fine in the end as she had passed the resit.

latedecember1963 · 29/10/2021 10:09

Congratulations to your DD, Readsalotgirl! 🎉
It's a tricky one re job hunting while studying.
DS2 is now wondering if he should have given it more attention during his final year. When he asked our advice at the time we said for him to focus on getting the best degree result he could because we knew that was important to him.
Having him living at home is offset financially by the fact that we're not having to top up his student loans. It costs the same to run the house for 2 of us as 3, apart from the food bills and the gallons of milk!
I know he feels a bit as if he has "stalled" but we just keep on reassuring him that he made the right decision for the stage he was at.
He's still heavily involved with a voluntary group from university in a role he can do remotely, he does the laundry and ironing at home and helps to care for my MiL. He also gets out for a walk each day.

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bigTillyMint · 29/10/2021 10:18

Yes that’s a plus, @latedecember1963 - not having to top up!

DD got an unexpectedly early first pay cheque, so she is v happy despite being a bit bored as wfh and not been given a huge amount to do yet. I think it’s good for her as she was full on with her MSc till a week before she started. Hoping she can go into the office a bit too though.

latedecember1963 · 29/10/2021 11:21

I've still got my 1st pay slip stashed away with exam certifcates. That feeling of having joined the grown up world!
DH is back in the office on Monday for the 1st time since March 2020. He's been perfectly content wfh but I agree that for youngsters being part of a working environment is far better for their career and personal development.

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bigTillyMint · 29/10/2021 12:04

@latedecember1963. I wish I’d saved mine - for comparison purposes!

Xenia · 29/10/2021 14:29

I don't think I have the payslip but the annual salary was £6250 (london law firm trainee). We were just moving away from the days in a sense when you paid for being a burden on someone training you and the wage was less than the secretaries - it is in today's money £20k whereas lawyers in those firms these days get £40k probably because today there are higher rents, student loans and law firms are bigger. So those young lawyers get double in real terms what I got in 1983. That will not be the case in many careers.

Xenia · 29/10/2021 14:32

Just looked up my account book from then - net pay was £360 a mnoth (£4320 a year). Rent was £50 a week £2600 so more than 50% of net pay. One room in Victoria with plug in hob. Shared dirty shower and loo for whole of the floor at end of corridor.