Something a bit different

[stubiff]

Well, maybe not different, as in very unusual/unique, but not as common/popular as the usual Economics, CS or Mech Eng.

DC has no idea on the future.
Any gems, to try to stir an interest or at least look at subject requirements?

Probable A-levels: Spanish, History and Maths
Possible A-levels: Economics, Business, Physics, Chem, CS, Drama
Not taking/interested in: English, Geog, Biol, Classics, Medicine/Health, Environment, Art, Psychology, Education, Agriculture, Politics.
Interests: Football, Basketball and Xbox!

TIA

Maybe try looking at an in depth careers test first to see what he might want to do in the future?

Games design and sports science are the first two degree subjects that spring to mind with his interests. Maybe physiotherapy? I would look at graduate career stats for any course he is considering though. There is no point studying for a degree if most of the graduates on the course end up working in unrelated fields because there aren't enough jobs compared to graduates or recruiters don't rate the course.

@TheShoulder
Yes, done a careers test, and they do one in school in December.
Stock answer is, yes, could do that, or this, or the other!
Literally has no idea.

Yes, going to broach the CS/Games Development/Games Design angle.
Sports Science, maybe, but chose not to take Biology GCSE (towards the bottom of the list), so will look at subject requirements (is taking PE GCSE).

@stubiff Would he consider Management with a language? Places like Bath are brilliant for courses like this. They cover a wide range of topics and you can then narrow down. His probable A levels are perfect and unis love a MFL added in. The great thing about degrees like this is that you don’t need to decide what direction to go in for quite a while. Bath might also do placements. I haven’t looked but it’s quite usual there. Also sports clubs employ managers. They certainly employ loads more than sports scientists.

DD has several friends that did History and MFL and became lawyers. They don’t use the MFL but again unis like MFL. He could look at Law of course.

Not all Dc know what they want when they go to uni. They form ideas from other students and careers events. Dd found these useful for plotting a strategy for employment.

One issue about doing some degrees that are vocational is ensuring you get into that role if it’s ultra competitive. Is he an AAA or CCC pupil? That would make a difference too.

Engineering requires physics but there’s loads of engineering and allied degrees. So aerospace, automotive, civil, etc. is he interested in big design projects? If you go anywhere, what do you talk about? Buildings, cars, roads, railways etc? What jobs does he see on the tv? What do your friends do? DD talked to parents of her friends and friends of ours to rule things in or out.

There are lots of courses along the lines of Spanish and classical civilisations.

DS's flatmate chose archeology over history at undergraduate level. Edinburgh offers Ancient Mediterranean Civilisations.

Friend's DD has a history degree and went into a graduate programme in the public sector. Now works as a project manager.

DS chose his favourite A level to study for a degree. Currently in year2 he still has no idea what he might like to do job/career.

Does DC like Statistics enough to consider the field of Sports Statistician/Analyst?

It is quite competitive but one of my STEM UGs got in sideways and loves it.

It's probably a long way from home, and it's not a Mumsnet-favoured university because it doesn't bear the Russell-Group brand, but if he has any interest in the video games industry he should look at the suite of courses offered by the University of Falmouth. I was very impressed at an open day a while ago.

https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/departments/games-academy

@TizerorFizz
Yes, was also thing Something and Spanish - Business, Management, History, Law.
His top match on the careers quiz was Solicitor, so straight Law an option. A friend is a Solicitor and they said that a Law degree can be quite boring so a number do other subjects.

@EwwSprouts
He doesn’t want to do Classics A-level, but will look at Civilisations, partic if anything to do with Spanish speaking countries.

@poetryandwine
Sounds interesting. Are we talking Maths/Stats degree? Which company, something like Sky or Opta?

Liberal Arts
Combined Honours Social Sciences may be options at degree level.

I loved my law degree. Son is taking history as tried to fight against law 🤣 but is now going to do the law conversion.

@FatOaf
Thanks, will have a look.
He is less keen on the drawing side of DT GCSE, so would lean away from the ‘design/art’ side but the programming/function side may be a possible.

@stubiff You don’t need a law degree to be a solicitor. DD has a MFL degree and is a barrister. You just need a decent academic degree and then convert. Takes longer but gives you a broader outlook.Conversion is only 1 year. She took the view she knew she was great at MFLs and enjoyed them. Gave thinking time about law too. Many people love law degrees though.

Maths/physics/history

physics and philosophy degree?

Robotics engineering?

@TizerorFizz yes, am aware that don’t need a Law degree to do it. Have read up and spoken to friend about it.

The ones that need Physics, I don’t know.
I don’t think he’d choose Maths, Physics and ANOther, and not take both Spanish and Hist.
Robotics sounds interesting, maybe Design Eng, but would need to check drawing content. More the making/constructing/problem solving side I think.

@BareBelliedSneetch
Philosophy, with something, maybe.
Did like the Philosophy part of PRE in Yr7/8. RE not so much.

Hi, OP -

A degree in Statistics or perhaps Data Science sounds a good qualification in to me though as I said, my own student got into the profession sideways. Last I heard he was at Sky.

PS I think Robotics sounds very interesting and likely more and more useful in the coming years.

How good at maths is dc? If very strong further maths a level would be a consideration.

International development?

@jayritchie
Maths is reasonably good, but doesn’t want to take FM, although school does it as a 4th (only).

@PomPomChatton
Thanks for the suggestion.
After reading a couple of course pages then I don’t think it would interest him.
But an option, as no subject specific requirements.

@stubiff I think you are overthinking drawing. Everyone uses computer programs. Being able to use the industry standard programs is what matters. DD2 does interior design. That’s very much use of space. Not curtains and cushions! She is great at art but work is computer based. Any cad is what is used.

DD has a friend who did sound engineering. That’s lead to an amazing career.

My DD did a careers test - it said she should become a careers advisor!

@TizerorFizz
Yes, appreciate they use computer programs, but they are using them to draw something!
DS is not arty, and as said, prefers the non-drawing parts of DT.
If you gave him the choice of designing something or making/constructing it, he’d choose the latter.
So, fine, he could possibly do Product Design or Games Design, but he’d probably choose Engineering or Games Programming. Also, he wouldn’t choose the formers as most of the time he’d need a portfolio, which he’d turn his nose up at!

Sound engineering, I will look into.

Don’t think he’d want to be a career’s advisor!