Generic degree = No job?

[toyland]

Ds has just finished first year of a History undergraduate at a decent Uni (Top 10 ranking).
He is feeling he hasn’t helped himself by not actively pursuing gaining career skills from looking at how poor the graduate market is at the moment.
He will likely get a high 2:1 (possibly a 1st), but knows it is leveraging relevant experience that matters - of which he has none.
He has joined clubs, but not put himself forward to any positions next year. He has tried to get local summer retail/hospitality work, but hasn’t found anything. He is thinking of volunteering- either at the local museum or citizens advice whilst at Uni next year.
He has started a few Forage courses in Insurance and Finance over the summer (he does have Maths A level) and was looking at Coursera for free courses - was thinking of a Data Analysis visualisation one and Excel skills.
He said he needs interview practice for applying for Internships, but is unsure where to look. He has set up a Linked In Page but connected with 500+ other students mainly! He had a couple of careers 1:1 half an hour sessions at uni -but this was more exploring career thoughts.

I did a degree that led directly to professional exams and career, so I can’t advise him. He does have ADHD and can struggle with focus, so I do try and help if he asks.
What has helped your dc gain skills that helped them get a job -from a degree that doesn’t lead to a specific career?

Might be worth encouraging him to have a chat with ChatGPT or similar for careers advice and suggestions! It's pretty good at that.

Although some courses are a good shout, employers know he can get academic credentials.

I would focus on getting a job- any job. He needs actual work experience.

It can IMO be helpful think of work experience and internships in a very concrete skills-building way. For example, being able to deal with customers is an important skills in practically every career path. Being able to manage up and to manage sideways is crucial to entry level jobs. Being able to manage ambiguous situations is really valuable. Etc. And then go after opportunities (and they needn't be weeks long) to build those skills.

He really isn’t focused beyond what’s immediate and in front of him I’m afraid (ADHD), hence why he hasn’t got anything so far

I'm not sure why you are blaming the ADHD for this.
2 of mine have ADHD and I'd say that drives them to be doing 'something' all the time. Both of them have always worked (but then, so has the one who doesn't have ADHD). Having ADHD is no reason not to have a job or to volunteer.

As you live so remote and apparently an normal hour's commute is too much for him, then why not stay at University ? Students normally have to pay for their accommodation for 12 months, so they might as well live there, and work there being as every suggestion is met with a reason he can't do that whilst living with you. One of my dc did that every year.

@TizerorFizzIt’s not a case he is not a ‘go-getter’. He was pooled for Oxbridge from a ‘falls below Ofsted inspection’ state school and placed top three in a national History essay competition as the only state school pupil. It’s more he struggles with ADHD and has another disability that I don’t want to identify here. Finding work is really not helped by living rurally. He doesn’t have contacts or grandparents to help him - there’s only me and there is little money to throw at him exploring further afield.

He has applied to things at uni, but hasn’t got anywhere - his uni is one of the ones where the students are very conscious of applying for anything available and is a ‘target’ uni. The other students probably are more ‘go-getters’. So he did apply unsuccessfully for a club secretary and also a subject ambassador. He also went in every local workplace to ask for work and emailed a CV.
I don’t think care home work is appropriate for him and befriending local elderly people and asking to do work for them wouldn’t really stack up for graduate interviews as concrete examples unless it’s in a medical field.

@latetothefistingI wish there was a local McDonalds as I agree this and supermarket work shows work ethic - which is so important.

The reason for this thread was him concretely realising he needs to get something, and worrying he hadn’t. He is doing several online intern courses so will have certificates for these and has also found a free Microsoft Data Visualisation and Excel skills long course that gives a certificate. Hopefully the citizens advice will lead to something.

Thanks everyone, I realise it’s not the easiest graduate market and being academic isn’t enough to gain a position against candidates that can show the skills that employers value. @CeramiqI agree he needs those examples.

@WitchesofPainswickThats interesting. He never uses ChatGPT.

@BlueandWhitePorcelainThanks for the accountancy idea. He is currently looking at the risk/insurance/finance courses online internships.

Thank you again everyone . I feel I have painted him in a negative light and downplayed some suggestions but it’s been really useful to think them all through and consider if there are things we have discounted that could be possible.

@CarpetKneesHis first year accommodation finished. That’s pretty normal for student halls.
He is happy to commute for a job.
His ADHD is obviously a bit different to your kids so it probably isn’t this but his own specific issues outside of this. Perhaps he is just lazy. He really wants a paid job to show he is willing to work!

Anyway I am best leaving specific answers back as it can become contentious, but thank you for your reply.

Hey @toyland I messaged you xx

@toyland What a shame you think helping in a care home as worthless. So far it’s the only thing in reach! The skills he might learn are going in when required, working in a team, chatting to people, a work ethic, being reliable and a self starter. However I’m obviously odd in thinking this is useful on anyone’s cv.

Don’t rise to the negative posts OP, none of us know your DS or his capabilities and I think it’s great that you are here supporting him with potential options.

I have one more suggestion, I don’t think it’s been mentioned. He is clearly academic, but only you both will know if this one’s an option to work with his strengths, but has he considered tutoring?

Mine has tutored since completing her A levels, works for one of the larger platforms, a skills test and high academic achievements are requirements to be approved. Her profile focuses on supporting A and GCSE level Spanish students from a pitch angle of ‘you can be non-native and still achieve top results in x language’. 3 years on it’s still serving her well, gives her flexibility re student numbers vs her workload and has completely funded her very outgoing lifestyle and travel.

It’s amazing how many parents/students who gravitate to learning from people ‘like them’. It’s a proper PT job, and demonstrates the skills employers are looking for but that can be fulfilled from their desk, wherever that is.

@TizerorFizzI really don’t think it is for him. I am trying to avoid saying his other disability as it is identifying . I work in a medical field -so know how valuable care is. Thank you for giving so many suggestions and we really have thought about all of them and not just discounted them - there’s so much great advice that has been given.
@ealingwestmumTutoring is a good fit, thank you. I will definitely ask him to explore this. And thank you for the support.

Thank you everyone. I’ll come back at a later date to update if he has any successes- in case it is useful for others.

@ealingwestmumIf you mean me, I somewhat resent that. I’m always very positive about working and volunteering but I cannot magic something up for a rural DS! I’ve tried!

See @TizerorFizz you and I have been around long enough to be respectful of each others views. I don’t always agree with you but know you mean well even if I do think your delivery can be challenging for others less used to your opinions and writing style.

So long way around of saying no. I was not referring to you. I would have tagged you.

But interesting that you thought that.

Back to original question Op I’d keep an eye out for any internships for people with disabilities - civil service, hmcts etc used to advertise 6-8 week paid placements. My dc has a physical disability so I keep a look out.
My other suggestion would be try facebook for a job. We have a town community page - teens posting in their own right always get replies. I’m a physically fit 19 year old based in x village looking for work until I go back to study history at uni 15/9. If anyone can point me in direction of any job opportunities please let me know type thing. People will then post small businesses they know are taking on or people will reply saying get in touch.
He’s only yr1. Lots won’t do internships until after yr2. If he can pick up a pt job and/or volunteer he’s all set. Then have a good think early yr2 re summer 2026 so can apply for internships, plan to stay at uni city or work abroad etc knowing situation at home town is tough.

@ealingwestmum I did say “if you meant me”. However thanks for heads up on how I write. Years of needing clarity!

His first year accommodation finished. That’s pretty normal for student halls.

Yes, first year halls are usually until 30th June and then 2nd year accommodation usually runs 1st July until 30th June the following year. So, paying for accommodation over the Summer is pretty normal.

No, I was thinking the exact same thing. In accountancy, being able to work in an audit team and get along with people in all walks of life, are the skills employers are looking for.

One week, as part of the audit team, you could be doing a stock take in a screw factory and need to work with the people on the factory floor; the next week, you could be talking to the managing director of a stationery supplier! Many clients will be wealthier than yourself, and you have to put that aside.

If his uni is anywhere near a professional football club they're nearly all crying out for stewards/catering staff.

This is exactly what my dd did and as a result has an internship at a top investment bank , which is highly likely to turn into a graduate offer

Yes I’ve just paid my dc’s yr2 first month rent. It stings as she’s not there until September. OP’s son may be going into uni halls again in September so no accommodation currently, some unis give halls for all three years if dc has a disability.

Thank you @Lampzadeit is a target uni, but do the City want more numerical degree choices?
Hence he has looked more to insurance, law, accounting.
@BlueandWhitePorcelainI would say he is a pretty good communicator, but he now needs to demonstrate this through relevant work experience.

An idea I would have never thought of @tripleginandtonicthank you.

There’s been so much helpful advice you have all generously given. I’m hoping to feedback some success in the future.

@toyland DD1 converted to law. Quite a few friends did history degrees. If he’s thinking about city law, internships are for summer of y2 at university normally. The Legal Cheek app is a very good source of info. They list law fairs and routes to qualification. Info should be available at his uni careers office and it definitely will be at law fairs and university law careers events.

Op, you don’t need to be studying economics / maths/ finance degree to get internships in investment banks. There are many different areas of work within investment banking
DD’s internship placement has people who are studying pharmacy , medicine , sociology , Spanish and Law .

How about online tutoring as paid work? There are a few websites that you can sign up to as a tutor

Yes, my brother got a paid internship and then a job at Goldman Sachs and he wasn't studying Maths/Economics, but he was studying Electro Engineering

I was the one to mentioned target uni. Are you certain it is a target uni? As for degrees, unless specified on applications, most degrees are accepted (presuming the minimum entry requirement is met). I know a director who went to London Met and did tourism…

And to reiterate, the short courses are a waste of time. He should be reaching out to recruiters and building is non-uni network, target alumni especially.