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Higher education

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

Original poster

So university isn’t working……

27 replies

DitheringDolly · 18/12/2021 08:06

DC, bright, able but with very limited enthusiasm for academic matters went to university last year. Had a truly dreadful time living in lockdown, left after Christmas and got a job where they worked all year.

Different university in September, similar but actually more challenging course. A normal university experience. Has really not engaged in the course, has had a better social time but has decided it’s not for them because of the lack of academic enthusiasm.

So they are thinking about alternatives- both some fun options after a grim couple of years, but other options for an A grade A level student to think about.

They returned to their job for Christmas. It is customer facing in a retail healthcare setting and they have enjoyed it but no obvious progression there without a scientific background.

Hopefully some people reading this will have had, or know of, other young people who have been in this situation

Clearly working abroad in the travel sector in gap year type jobs is more challenging now, but does anyone have any recommendations?

Careers that will allow progression in the workplace? Studying for qualifications I sure will be an option in the future with either greater maturity or with a clearer goal.

And can anyone recommend any good websites or other resources for considering the type of sector / entry routes they could consider.

Any help anyone can offer will be gratefully received at this rather tricky time!

OP posts:
Mintlegs · 18/12/2021 08:14

You mention travel, are they interested in this? Have they any hobbies or skills they could utilise?

Namenic · 18/12/2021 08:17

Apprenticeship? They may do this for biomed lab type jobs? If they are interested in biomed field, then I’m sure there are entry level healthcare opportunities which could look good on their cv with all the vaccination and test stuff

Original poster
DitheringDolly · 18/12/2021 08:19

No current hobbies- working and socializing only at the moment! Yes travel, but working there too

OP posts:
Toastmost · 18/12/2021 08:22

I'd avoid an apprenticeship to be honest if they didn't seem to like the academic work at university. It depends what experience they already have, what they enjoy doing, and realistically if they aren't going to ever get on with uni choosing a sector where you don't need to be professionally qualified otherwise that glass ceiling will be closer than it seems.

Civil service have entry level jobs and many people throughout their career work their way up, it depends where you are in the in the country as to what agencies are local though.

ZenNudist · 18/12/2021 08:28

Not science and hard to get into but have they considered accounting? Big firms do school leaver roles. Might still be interviewing for September next year start.

You have to be a bright proactive person but you get a job where you work up to your accounting qualifications so do ATT followed by ACA.

It's hard work but the firms look after you. Your longterm career prospects are excellent and end salary is 6 figures which is where I am after 20 years.

After an initial role in audit or tax you can long term move to interesting advisory roles which is what I've done for 15 years.

You do have to be numerate with good written and verbal communication skills.

Firms to look at

Big 4
PwC
KPMG
EY
Deloitte

Mid tier:
BDO
Grant Thornton
Mazars
RSM

AlwaysOneMissing · 18/12/2021 08:32

This is a different angle, but I’d also suggest they get some coaching with a career coach to help them tune in to what it is they actually want to be doing.

Original poster
DitheringDolly · 18/12/2021 08:41

Thank you all for these suggestions and we will work through them all.

@AlwaysOneMissing yes, I had wondered if that might be helpful. Apart from anything else, having someone independent to talk to would probably be good! I am trying to be neutral, DP is less inclined that way …

OP posts:
Scarby9 · 18/12/2021 08:43

I was going yo suggest accounting too.
My A grade in everything godson didn't want to go to university but trained as an accountant with one of the big firms.

He was fast tracked after his first year and ended up three years in earning more than he would have done two years out of uni on their grad scheme.

Pre-Covid, he was working a year, then travelling a year.

Since Covid, he has changed jobs just for the variety.

He trained and now lives in London, so there will obviously be more opportunities there than out in the provinces, I assume, but he seems to find jobs with interesting companies or organisations he is interested in eg. a sports governing body or a museum, and get to know that too while he is there.

Then moves on.

Teenylittlefella · 18/12/2021 08:44

A degree apprenticeship? Might be a good mix of practical and uni level?

ZenNudist · 18/12/2021 08:47

Another suggestion is you can get a work visa for a commonwealth country and bugger off there to work and study for 2 years. Canada skiing sounded great! When I heard about it I thought wow I'd be sad to let my kids go but that would be a great experience pre or post university.

MrsBobDylan · 18/12/2021 09:33

You are doing a really good job of supporting your ds and being enthusiastic about other opportunities. Just wanted to say that - it's so nice to see and you should feel proud that you are such a great Mum.

Would he want to (Covid permitting) do a year's travel to find out what he really loves?

I wouldn't rule out a degree yet because I think he just doesn't really know what interests him yet.

MarchingFrogs · 18/12/2021 09:57

One of the problems with a further attempt at a 'normal' degree is that they will have to finance the first year themselves, having used up the 'plus one extra' part of the 'length of current course, plus one extra' formula for funding, then one year of the 'length of current course' bit. So that option would definitely not be something to be rushed back into.

Medievalist · 18/12/2021 10:18

I'd avoid an apprenticeship to be honest if they didn't seem to like the academic work at university.

Not necessarily. Your ds sounds like one of mine op. Academically very bright but never had to work hard at school to achieve well. Insisted on going to uni and just plumped for a difficult subject without much thought. Did first year twice then dropped out. He's now doing a degree apprenticeship with a big, international company and is loving it (in his second year) and getting lots of positive feedback. He loves the responsibility of meeting and working for clients. The work is very varied and structured which he responds well too. Also heavy monitoring, advice and input from more senior people makes it difficult for him to let things slide! Being on a salary helps his motivation, as does good pay progression and the promise of a very good salary when he's finished his apprenticeship.

Original poster
DitheringDolly · 18/12/2021 12:16

Thank you everyone for your ideas and support. Lots to consider. Plenty of time I think to plan out next steps, given they have a job at the moment

OP posts:
Luredbyapomegranate · 18/12/2021 13:03

It's tough isn't it. You sound like you are doing a great job. TBH if they aren't academic university would probably have been a big waste of money and time, so that may have worked out better.

Can you say a bit more about them? Failing that they are very young right now, so I'd have a good google on working gap years - there's a load of info online, even in these days of Covid. Getting the experience of being away and working and growing up a bit is probably the best thing right now. I think coaching is a good idea, but probably once they've had a year away and a bit more maturity and sense of themselves.

After a year (or two) of working away an apprenticeship might be the best thing - it's a very different approach to university so it may suit.

Data science will be a huge growth area, if they are any good with maths..

VanCleefArpels · 19/12/2021 16:23

My older child is 24 and whilst a graduate had no real idea of what he wanted to do, as did several of his friends. They all got entry level (ie not necessarily needing a degree) jobs in fields such as digital marketing, recruitment and HR found on LinkedIn and Indeed. Really any admin type position will give good experience and work/life balance in the sense that they are truly 9-5 jobs. They are not the path to riches however - although having said that my DC has moved up the “ladder” a bit now and is happy in the chosen field.

As for resources notgoingtouni.com is a great website and details school leaver schemes run by many major companies

TizerorFizz · 19/12/2021 19:32

There’s a big elephant in the room here! I hate to say this but there will be two failed attempts at university on the cv. This cannot be glossed over and for employers it’s a red flag. This person gives up! Intelligent but flaky.

So by all means try, but apprenticeships are hard to get. Maybe doing a job that’s enjoyable and see what opens up might be better? Then go for qualifications later on. Employer might even sponsor if DS does well.

JuergenSchwarzwald · 19/12/2021 20:14

Any sensible employer is going to realise that covid got in the way of the university experience.

And why are people not allowed to change their minds? If university isn't for you, it isn't for you.

People are so stuffy on here. I hope you're not a recruiter.

Medievalist · 19/12/2021 20:32

There’s a big elephant in the room here! I hate to say this but there will be two failed attempts at university on the cv. This cannot be glossed over and for employers it’s a red flag. This person gives up! Intelligent but flaky.

But that's exactly what one of my ds's did. Failed first year through lack of effort; resat and failed again because he didn't complete some of the work. Flaky in the extreme perhaps. But he then secured a degree apprenticeship with a big international company and is loving it/getting very good feedback. Fortunately some employers recognise that uni isn't for everyone and recognise that some people have a few false starts.

camperqueen54 · 19/12/2021 20:38

It's more the case your child isn't working! Can't they just get a job?

Freedadonkey · 19/12/2021 20:46

There's a couple of people who have posted very similar posts on WIWIKAU this weekend. I think it's very common this year.

Original poster
DitheringDolly · 19/12/2021 20:52

Thank you everyone, your contributions are really appreciated and some really good points here. DC is back working now at the job they took last spring and can stay there, albeit we all recognise they would benefit from some other experiences, hence being grateful for the suggestions here.
And yes, flaky and lazy academically - absolutely! I don’t disagree. Some element of Covid having impacted their lives over the last two years is the case, along with so many young people and children. (It’s not terribly inspirational watching your parents work at home at a laptop day in, day out, is it? However fortunate said parents are to have been able to continue to work and get paid) But still lazy!

I am sure the implications of this will continue for many years for these youngsters - so many opportunities for growth and development have been lost.

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 19/12/2021 20:54

Well I’m pleased it’s worked out for some but it’s not so easy to change direction and get past the initial selection process. Many degree apprenticeships go to existing employees. Hence my advice to get a job!

Of course people can do it but the false starts are going to have to be explained. Of course employers look at everything! So many young people are after the same jobs right now and plenty of degree holders get nothing. Around 50% at the moment. So it’s not really fair to say a move to a degree apprenticeship is easy. What about if there’s none where you live? Or not in a subject you can do? Being realistic is sensible and I did say give it a go!

Original poster
DitheringDolly · 06/03/2022 08:30

Just an update to say thanks for the advice above. I supported my dc but stood back. They identified accountancy as providing an alternative to a degree and now have an apprenticeship at a good firm. Clearly they recognise academic work is still needed but there is a clearer short term goal which is work (and promotion) related.

And this choice leaves many options open for the future. (Am an accountant myself and have had an interesting career that is not pure finance)

Relief all round I think and given how much dc has enjoyed all the jobs they have done so far, I am hopeful this will be a good route

OP posts:
Libertybear80 · 06/03/2022 08:32

Apprenticeships in a science field may still be degree level but with work on top. If he can't hack academic work then forget the apprenticeship route.

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