DS got a third after struggling at uni, how limiting is it?

[Misthios]

DS started uni in 2021 and for the first year his studies were entirely online. DS has significant challenges with neurodiversity - properly diagnosed dyspraxia and ADD, almost certainly autism too. His mental health was very poor and I was very pleased he was living here at home as he simply would not have coped otherwise. He finally crashed and burned after his third year (4 year degrees in Scotland) and was placed in academic suspension for a year. We had the most awful year with him trying to get him formally assessed and medicated for his ADD, he started on anti depressants, found a tutor to help in the subject he struggled with, and finally got through and into his final year.

This year has also been a struggle, the support from uni is just not there, funding in Scottish unis is a massive issue and he was not having check ins with tutors or disability support or anything. It was all very hard for him but long story short he has had his degree results today and got a third.

He is very upset. We have told him how proud we are of him for sticking at it and going back to finish his degree and the class of thart degree doesn't matter. He does not want a high flying job. He just wants to work in a lab. I am just worried that with the very competitive jobs market that he is going to struggle to get anything and will end up thinking that uni was a waste of time.

And I thought the pre-school years were the hard ones.

He passed his degree . He has a degree . He didn’t fail . Imagine if he went through four years of Uni and didn’t get a degree. Often it’s who you know not what you know that gets you far in life . He is definitely not a failure .

This . I was halfway through an art diploma when I thought about dropping out . I didn’t do anything with it but I’m glad I stuck at it and got the diploma.

This is what we are telling him! He could so easily have walked away after failing third year and left with nothing. He has been applying for lots of jobs, agree temping may be the way to go. Also agree that a few years in, nobody cares about the class of degree.

Bollocks!

Unhelpful and you’re speaking out of your arse.

op a third is fine, you say he wants to work in a lab / lab technician? At interview they’ll be looking at his knowledge and his communication skills / ability to work in a team. If they ask about his 3rd, he can explain what went wrong and what he put in place / support to get back on track.
Yes things are a bit shite for new grads currently, but the 3rd is still a pass. If he can get a bit of volunteer work, and practical experience, that will give him an edge.

My DS2 ( also in Scotland) found the Job Centre work coach very helpful.

He struggled through uni in the COVID years but managed to get a good degree .

That’s when his struggles really began and he wasn’t getting anywhere with job applications.

Anyhoo the job coach gave him a structure and he got on to some time of work experience scheme and he has had a full time job for 3 years now.

He should be flipping well proud of himself, awesome achievement with all his personal issues. Hopefully with a bit of time he will come to realise that and be kinder to himself.

I do think 4 year degrees are too long, though of course realise the school system is different. I went to Scotland too and found it a slog on the last year and went and got a job instead, a job in the field I was studying in. Not finishing my degree and just getting a BA hasn't held me back at all and working my way up was grand and imo, a better way to learn. I hope your son can get his lab work and work his way up. I must say though - you're fabulous parents too, being there to support.

Depends what he wants to do. I won't lie, a third is almost worse than no degree.

Big lie! Pointlessly rude. He’s got a BsC, that’s huge.

Bloody well done. 👏

No one will care about which class it is - everyone I know who was gutted with their class found it didn’t matter in the real world. It doesn’t.

My cousin got a worse degree than he’d expected and talked the employer into giving him the job anyway. They love him.

I’m really impressed with DS. I’d hire him on the spot.

Two of the highest achieving people I know got thirds.

This is helpful advice. I know we have careers centres locally through Skills Development Scotland and I may encourage him to make an appointment to get help with his CV and other pointers.

I agree with the suggestion of scientific job agencies, we (small scientific company) recruit through them and it is an excellent way to get started in a scientific career. Once you have a bit of experience the degree classification becomes less important. Also maybe target small local businesses directly, we get a lot of speculative applications which have sometimes led to a job offer if they happen to come in at the right time and are a good fit. Get him to ask chatgpt to find him local science/technology businesses, there are lots of us scattered about on industrial estates that the public would probably never know are there because we are B2B, don't have big signages etc. And well done to him for getting through what sounds like an EXTREMELY difficult period in his life, the resilience he will have developed will stand him in good stead.

I'd argue that it's no different than getting a 1st in terms of immediate career prospects. Yes, 2:1s and above gain access to APPLY to certain grad jobs, but I think some parents are stuck in thinking that HE is a magic bullet that's going to pave a great career path. It isn't, and it hasn't been for many years now. Many people get 1sts. HE has become saturated to the point, it does not advance career prospects.

There was a post recently from a very frustrated OP who's son had gotten fantastic grades at a top university, yet has been unable to secure a decent job. Others were posting solidarity as their DC had graduated 1/2/3 years ago and were in the same boat.

Well done to your son for completing his degree despite his challenges. It shows he has excellent resilience and determination. He needs to keep that up because, frankly, the job market is dire. Some recent graduates will think that their grades and university they attended will speak for themselves. They do not. Your son (silver lining here) will not be approaching job applications like that. He can write about adversity he has overcome, how he has resilience and doesn't give up when things get tough (something that is often assumed of the younger generation), how his experience has been character building, etc and that will help his applications stand out a little. Use it as a USP.

Best of luck to him. I know he won't qualify for many grad jobs due to his grade. But, as someone who reads lots of job applications, a lot of weight is given to the supporting statement/covering letter. He should invest in some time volunteering and network. All is not lost, even if it feels like it right now.

I dropped out (also Scottish) before 4th year, so all I have is a pass on an ordinary degree. So he’s doing better than me! Does it make it harder yes, is it going to be worse than no degree. No and after years in workplaces it becomes even less important. As well as skills development Scotland he will also be able to use his unis career service (he may not want to, I would still encourage him too). As well as working on his cv make sure his LinkedIn is good, active, post about trying to look for jobs/work experience and why he’s passionate about whatever job he wants to get

To add to my post, I forgot to mention that I work with people who got thirds and people who got 1sts, and they are in similar positions.

You don't need to put degree class on your CV. Once you are in a job, no one cares. It will prevent applying for most Graduate schemes as they often specify me minimum 2:1. Good luck to your DS. I would recommend volunteering if no job roles are forthcoming.

I have two siblings. Two of us got 2:1 in our degrees and one got a third. The one who got a third earns many, many times more than us!

Those are excellent subjects with excellent grades. He is obviously very able so I think he could explain the degree result with extenuating circumstances.

Would he able to do unpaid internships? I think something like systems biology (e.g. relevant for screening for drug development in pharmaceuticals) might suit him (some background in computing could be helpful for that, though not required) or as mentioned previously, quality control in food science or other scientific areas (I think some people would find this boring but he may like it - you have to like routine, repetition and precision).

Well done to your son for sticking with it and getting a degree even with a disappointing grade. The PP who says it’s worse than no degree is talking rubbish.

The jobs market at the moment is absolutely brutal, however. So he might struggle with any degree grade. But if he gets his foot in the door somewhere, I’m sure he’ll be fine. Maybe the uni has some careers coaching available?

FYI apprenticeships are only available if you haven’t already done a degree in the area.

My dc is similar although because she got covid.

many grad schemes are 2:1 minimum and obviously masters are ruled out.

but finding a job is very tough at the moment for all grads.

I was a straight A/A* student at GCSE and A-Level. Got a 3rd at uni due to horrendous depression during 2nd & 3rd year and I genuinely thought I was going to be unemployable and I didn’t have the energy to appeal/resit. I managed to get a graduate job and qualified in that career which gave me a master’s level qualification, before changing careers and I am now chartered in my new field. It definitely isn’t worse than no degree as some PP have alluded to. He should be really proud of himself for actually getting through it x

A degree is not the be all and the end all. And nor is a third. Many many people before him and after will have had or get a third. And go on to be successful.
There are plenty of people who get firsts etc and don’t go on to be successful in the world of work etc. Attitude will count for much. He has tenacity which will count for much.
Good luck , I wish him well.

He's not targetting specific graduate schemes/jobs. Just any job which is relevant!

(I think some people would find this boring but he may like it - you have to like routine, repetition and precision).

Sounds perfect for him.

Well done to him! He did it! He has a degree and worked so hard for it! Brilliant 👏 He just needs to find a job that suits him.

I have a 2:2 (I spent a very jolly three years partying rather than studying, I have no excuse!) but it’s never been an issue for me as I never declare it on my CV. I just put BA (Hons) English Literature and don’t list the classification. I’m 15 years into my well-paid successful career and was only asked once what the classification was - I was honest it made no difference and I got the job.

I suggest your son does the same.