what are you studying at UNIVERSITY (don't want to piss anyone off anymore by shotening it, now:))

[3andnomore]

Well, in previous post I stated that I am looking into Social Work or OT....but well...looking around more and more at the University website and looking at the courses...there is such a vast choice, and so many things that appeal to me....obviously got to find out more about it all....
what do people study and what will you do with it?

Also, here a few courses I am finding appealing right now, but wiht some, I sort of don't know what you could actually do with that degree....

forinstance Philosophy? Sounds really interesting, but, in what industry could you use it? Also, why would a Philosophy student have to be a keen interest in photography and visual arts? (It states this on the Website...)....the way I understand the course it's about thinking outside the box, etc....so...what is the photography thing about?

Psychology also seems very interesting....especially as they offer this also as a joint BA/BSc (Hon)...is tehre anyone studying it, and what are your plans, why did you choose this subject?

Social Care or Social Welfare...also offered as a joint honours...might be a good one to take with Psycholgy? Anyone doing that? What do you think, etc...?

Sociology (again also offered as a joint honours, possibly wellmatched with psychology?)...how does this tranlate into employment?

As you can see...I am very very confused....lets hope that teh open day will shed some light for me....

I'm studying Psychology. I'm doing it because I've always fancied it. No more than that really. And I'm enjoying it. I am a Science teacher,so I may just offer Psychology as an extra subject, or I may look into research, or I may re-train in some area of Psychology. Dunno. The world is my oyster

shotening...lol...shortening of course

Mental Health Nursing Degree.

Adult Nursing degree

now those are the ones I don't want to do....I am actually a qualified Nurse, but my registration is lapsed and well....a lot of soul searcing is telling me that I do not want to do the return to nursing course....although the Mental Health aspect is really interesting (I am an RN, well, would be if I was registreed still....only have a certificate though, as that is what you get in Germany)

I'm doing Theology. I'm loving it, doing it because I always fancied it!

Message withdrawn

I lurve my course.Best thing I ever did in my life.

I'm a nurse too and don't blame you for not wanting to go back to it! Sorry nursing students! TiredEmma, you've heard my rants before! Sorry!

Do you really want to go into social work? I really can't think of a worse job? Sociology is really interesting as I would imagine is philosophy, what about anthropology? I think that a degree in philosophy would be useful as a teacher, or maybe just one of those degrees that employers like to see because it would show that you are capable of critical thinking and educated to degree level. There's a website which shows which jobs your degree is useful for and vice versa if you have a job in mind, is is ..something beging with 'a' arrrggh I can't remember......

Personally, I would choose ecology or enviromnmental science but that's my interest at the mo.... go with your interests, it'll stand you in the best position for maintaining your interest when the politics get to you, sorry cynical....

sorry again, tiredemma, we've crossed posts... you are one of those 'born nurses' I can tell from your posts and enthusiasm. The job doesn't suit my personality and I made a bad choice, but you will get loads from it! Happy nursing!

Try looking here:

www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Options_with_your_subject/p!eXbLc

If you are going to depend on emplyment based on your degree then you are wise to think about the possibilities and whether you will like the jobs associated with an interesting subject (often the jobs are less interesting).

I did biochemistry as a first degree which was a very stupid idea as it was already clear that I was terrible in the lab so the actual work was never going to suit me. I'm now doing a PhD in evolutionary anthropology - definitely a good area for me but very slim employment prospects for research afterwards.

I read somewhere that a third of all graduate jobs will recruit a dgree in any subject - but they may not be jobs that interest you. Jill

I too am a nurse/midwife with a lapsed registration. I am at home with my dd and ds at the moment and don't miss working in the health service at all! I am getting credit transfer with the OU for my nuring and midwifery courses, and I have a diploma in midwifery studies, so I will only need to do two level 3 modules to get an honours degree. You do an open degree so you can study two different things if you want. Might be an option for you.

limassol, are you there or do you just love it there? Used to live in Dhekelia and loved every minute of it

Employment is a major factor in my choice...well...am to blinking old to just study for the fun, lol!
lol at Social Work comment...

well, the perfect study course for me...well, it doesn't actually exist, but if I could make one up....it would be somehting that makes you a Maternity Health practioner (not a midwife, you see) and it would give you a degree, and you would basically be able to teach Antenatal Classes, lead Postnatal support groups, Birthsupport (ala doula), Breast/Formulafeeding councelling, traumatic Birth councelling...well...you get my drift...but this course does not exist in the real world...and yes, some may say, but midwifery will give you that, to sorts...but well, it kinda wouldn't, hence Maternity care being so crap (not implying midwifes are crap...but that they already have so much cramped into their studies, that forinstance there is no time to really learn much about bf, etc...)

BTW, when I originally did my training and the years after I did enjoy nursing, I just can't imagine it now...although I like the idea of Helath Visiting...but as that would mean I would have to go back into Nursing...sigh...now if that would be a direct entry course........I know...time to plan with what is there in the real world...

anthropology sounds very interesting....but,have not come across that course at a University nearby...and like I said....the course needs to lead to something employable...

limasol, how long do you have to transfer your credits from your nursing with the OU? (suddenly gets a glimmer of hope!)

thankyou acinonyx, prospects was the site I was thinking of, starts with an 'a'.......?!

3andnomore, why don't you be a doula? I'm starting my journey to becoming a doula alongside my regular job (can't afford not to) you could be an antenatal teacher and bf support worker for the NCT. It's not a degree but it sounds like the kind of thing you're after.

3d...well, if I don't go to University, I will indeed be doing my Antenatal teacher Training with the NCT...well, if I would get the funding...as for Doula, that completely appeals aswell....but...the area I live at, well, Doula is not something much sought after.
I am actually involved with NCT Postnatal Support now, just as a mother support though, not trained or anything...!
Thing is, in the end I would like to do something that I enjoy, but which also would supply me with a regular and reasonable good income.
Also, I wouldn't be able to train with the NCT as a Breastfeeding counceller if I want to do the ANT training...although, I suppose, I could embark on that with one of the other BF support groups...

I have, at this time, absolutely no idea if I even have a chance of getting into University...so, am keeping , at the moment, an open mind about all of this...

no-one round where I live knows what a doula is, but the first person I explained it too booked me! You'd be suprised how open minded people can be if you 'advertise' in the right places. Where are you? I'm in the North East.

world Religiosna nd Philosophy.

Did Psychologya s my eyar 1 option as well.

OPsychology OK, but cureses vary a lot as to what theyc over- make sure you check a few first.

Philosophy- well, urs is combined, but pure philosophy students have the lowest potential earnings of any discipline, did you know that? However, it can be good for politics etc, and lots of careers don't need specific degrees, in relaity.

Oh did ayears social care with OU before Uni as well, (see me rebel with my Uni! LOL). Was really good, but expensive. Worth a look though i would say.

Peachy, well this Uni (oh I am so daring... ) does do 3 year degree courses in Social care/Social Welfare...however, not sure if either of those are worth anymore then the NVQ's in helath and Social Care....hm...if you know what I mean....

I suppose, maybe if I clarify to myself what sort of Jobs I would like, that would help in finding the right courses...sigh...

Well, OT is pretty straightforward...must admit, whilst I still think social work, as a subject sounds interesting, I already have niggles about teh fact, that you could burn out in that Job as easily as in Nursing...hmmm...

Another thing I would enjoy is working with young Families... but I really don't just want to specialize in working with young children...i.e. Nursery nurse, or something like that....if that makes sense...

Working with elderly, etc...would also interest me...but not as a Nurse, or something like that....

oh...I am getting more and more confused...
there is another part of me, that thngs that maybe I should make the msot of speaking 2 languages fluent...but I would feel like I cheat if I study german (and omg, the shame if I woldn't pass, now that would be so unfunny...)

3D...well, I ahve actually tested the ground of Doula work, and people look at me like I am from another planet, etc...however, here in Corby family's are often still very close...so, I suppose that makes it less necessary...
Maybe in a few years time, when we have that trainstation, and therefore are more attractive to London commuters...maybe then a Doula has more of a chance...hm....

Now, another thing I wonder...those Studentloans...are they only available to University students...or would that maybe give me the possibility to do all 3 courses with NCT (Antenatal Teacher Training, Postnatal support leader training and BFC training...) and do them as full time study, and therefore aside eachother and self fund them...hm........

AFAIK you have to be studying at a Uni t get the loans.

Something with famillies- have you thought about maybe the charitable sector then, something like I used to do (used to work for Homestart)? A degree in Social Care would be an excellent starting point for something like that I think. Other thougt that came to mind- our LA used to employ family support assistants with Social Services and then fund them part time to do the social work degree?

Ther is a high burnout rate though.... have worked in both Nursinga nd alongside SS and I would in fact say SS are worse for burnout!

Age concern would be another posibility for you I would think as a career- my guess again would be that a socail care degree, alongside some in sector voluntary work (nursing is seen as good but they like to know you can work for a charity as well) would be ideal. There's a lot of flexibility amongst the charities as well- poeple move from one to another with a fair amount of ease.

thanks peacvhy...
oh am getting really excited about teh Open Day....sad or what, lol...

Criminology PhD, into the writing up phase now!

A Masters in Psychology with the OU. Its been hard work but worth it (that is as long as i pass my final exam next week)

OOOh good luck Dusty!