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Secondary education

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Original poster

Anyone give me some career advice for 15 year old DD? Thanks!

34 replies

CressidaMontgomery · 14/09/2013 10:28

She is doing her GCSEs and is in year 10. Predicted 12 A grades (providing she works hard of course!)

She is really knuckling down already and is starting to think about what she would like to study at university. She wanted to study Law but is now not so sure.

I've suggested pharmacy, chemical engineering ( probably not my greatest suggestion!) , joining the RAF as a graduate, an English degree .. Err that's it.

Her strong areas are English I suppose. She hates French and she says she is not interested or very good at the sciences ( although she's doing triple science ). Her maths is only so so.

Any suggestions? I know she doesn't need to decide now but she feels it would be useful to have something to aim for

OP posts:
MortifiedAdams · 14/09/2013 10:33

At uni - she should do something she has a genuine passion / love of. Forget academia and focus on her passions.

Original poster
CressidaMontgomery · 14/09/2013 10:40

Oh I agree that she should do something that she loves ... But that could end with her doing Drama or something. She loves that but is no future actress that's for sure! Or business studies. I really want her to something that is ultimately going to lead to a career for her

OP posts:
Rummikub · 14/09/2013 10:48

Go onto the Ucas website and get her to look at the alphabetical list of degrees. Don't worry about where, which uni. This is just to see what interests her. Make a list. Are they all similar, related, random?
There are some amazing degrees to choose from. Then narrow these down to a short list. What A levels will she need? Also look at combined degrees, esp with choices of 3 subjects in first year.

Get your dd to think about people, family, friends, she knows and their jobs. Anything interest her?

She can either make an academic choice that she enjoys or think about a career and choose accordingly. It's ok to be unsure. Use this time to explore.

Original poster
CressidaMontgomery · 14/09/2013 10:51

Great advice Rum! I shall do that with her this coming week. That's exactly the sort of thing I was hoping for.. Something to help her focus her thoughts.

I left school with next to no qualifications because I literally couldn't be bothered. I'm far from stupid but could have had a real career if I'd only applied myself. I'd really like my DD to not do as I have done!

OP posts:
mummytime · 14/09/2013 11:23

She could try using The National Careers Service website and tools.
If she is even vaguely interested in Engineering, then get her to look at the small piece trust or google other Engineering courses, orWISE might be interesting.

TheWave · 14/09/2013 11:26

English is related to drama though. And leaves her options open to do law conversion course. Or politics, is she interested in current affairs? I wouldn't push sciences and maths for A level given what you have said. What are her thoughts on A levels so far?

Meringue33 · 14/09/2013 11:29

If she's good at English and less so at math/science, she'd probably find law a more natural home than engineering.

There are many things you can do with law aside from be a lawyer; there are many different types of lawyer; and there are many career opportunities (eg in business or public services) open to lawyers who have moved on.

It's v competitive of course, but it's also one of the few remaining professions that does seem to guarantee a good income (recession etc notwithstanding).

MortifiedAdams · 14/09/2013 11:30

A degree in drama does.not have a sole outcome of actress though - theres teaching (up to degree level), owning a dance company, choreography of shows, etc.

A degree in Business Studies mught seem to lead more to a career but not one she has any interest in.

yotty · 14/09/2013 11:32

I'm a long way off this yet for my DCs, but my sister used to work in recruitment in the city. In that world, the most important thing was at least at 2:1 in your degree, followed by which uni you went to, and then what subject you studied. So you need to have a passion for your subject, to ensure you get a good grade in your degree.
I have a friend who is a lawyer and she always says don't do a law degree unless you are absolutely sure you want a legal career. She always says do the degree subject you want to do and then decide later to do the conversion course, just in case you change your mind.
However, if you want a profession in the scientific world then a science/engineering course I would have thought would be important.

Original poster
CressidaMontgomery · 14/09/2013 11:33

Well she has no real thoughts on her A levels so far, apart from saying she definitely doesn't want to do maths or a language! She enjoys English, history, is a huge reader of all of the typical YA type books. I'd say her passions in life were Daniel Radcliffe and trashy tv, so we won't be gleaning much academia from those sources!

I really think she should do something science based but she is adamant she doesn't want to. Which leaves English/ Drama type stuff. She is only predicted an A in drama because she's so passionate about it and tries hard. Loads of effort. She has no talent in this area, just enjoys it a lot

OP posts:
MortifiedAdams · 14/09/2013 11:35

Could you 'compromise' on English, Drama and Business Studies (or Economics)?

Barbarashop · 14/09/2013 11:35

The prospects website is really good - you can look at different careers and related degrees or look at different degrees and related careers.

Original poster
CressidaMontgomery · 14/09/2013 11:36

Mortified - no, she's just not good enough at all. Obviously I don't say this to her, but she knows it. She chose drama as her one more relaxed GCSE after I insisted that the others had to be academic to give her the best choice of A levels.

Maybe Law is still the way to go? She was really interested in the RAF graduate scheme - although a fitness test would be more than a challenge for her

OP posts:
Original poster
CressidaMontgomery · 14/09/2013 11:37

Economics might be an idea actually...

I shall look at the Prospects website too

OP posts:
MortifiedAdams · 14/09/2013 11:40

Im astounded that you think she isnt good.enough to do Drama at A level yet she is targetted an A at it.

She is passionate about it, works hard and enjoys it. The fact that she 'isnt a good actress' appears not to be putting her off which is a fantastic skill to have.

It appears you have an underlying snobbery of non academic subjects. You could, instead, be proud of.your dd for working damn hard (enough to warrant an A) at something that she isnt naturally talented at.

Mumzy · 14/09/2013 11:46

For Law at a Russell group university I'd advise 3 traditional Alevels: English, History , Economics. Law is incredibily competitive and loads of graduates. The big law firms now rarely consider graduates from non russell group unis

Rummikub · 14/09/2013 12:17

Ok so your dd is actually quite focused. If she isn't interested in sciences there is no point in pushing it. It's difficult at A level and if it's not her thing then she could be turned off education.

She has already made choices. She has decided on university. She likes English and history. Good strong A level subjects. Drama is quite good for law as it gives a presence, voice projection, etc. she could just take it as a 4th AS level. Which leaves a 3rd A level subject to select. She is just in year 10 so let her sit with those choices she has made already. See if it feels right to her. And get her to carry out leisurely research, no pressure!

Original poster
CressidaMontgomery · 14/09/2013 12:29

Ah mortified I feel you misunderstand me!

Obviously I know my DD and I like to think I can steer her in the right direction. I have a distinct feeling that Drama is not that direction because well... It's just not. It's all very well to say to our kids ' oh I just want you to be happy ' and that's the case for me. But I also know that it's vital for the future ( in terms of career/ money/ options etc ) to have a decent education and a decent degree. Not to mess about thinking that maybe you could open a dance studio one day.

Of course I'm proud of her. She's really knuckling down to her work . But I want her to concentrate on academic subjects- not ones that aren't going to help her fulfil what she tells me she wants for her future.

No snobbery at all. Academia is the way to go if you don't have a flare for more arty things. And she most certainly doesn't

OP posts:
Original poster
CressidaMontgomery · 14/09/2013 12:30

English and history at A level sound good! Economics another one I'd not considered. Loads of great advice ( as well as a good old fashioned semi flaming ) Grin

OP posts:
lljkk · 14/09/2013 12:31

Many jobs (including academia, think of Uni lecturers!) have a performance element. Sales, management, communications, lots of transferable skills from drama go into those. What Rummikub said is good.

Original poster
CressidaMontgomery · 14/09/2013 12:41

I'd never thought of it like that before. These viewpoints are really helping me think about this in a different way

OP posts:
lljkk · 14/09/2013 12:43

I work at a Uni & careers dev. now offer courses on the performance part of lecturing. Even more helpful for many practising law.

breatheslowly · 14/09/2013 13:11

I'd avoid business studies at A level as it isn't favourably looked on by the type of university that her GCSE predictions suggest she might be aiming for. Economics is a good "academic" alternative.

I'd also not particularly encourage her towards a Business Studies degree. Most people in "business" don't have a degree in it. The graduates I work with either very specific degrees for their roles (e.g. engineering) or have any subject and then train on the job or through post grad qualifications.

Yotti is right - 2.1, university, subject in that order.

HmmAnOxfordComma · 14/09/2013 13:43

I'd second English and History for A level with the possibility of Drama just to AS (for the all the skills that endows). Then you do need to find a third 'academic' one to do all the way to A2 if she wants a reasonably decent Uni. Economics or politics would be good, maybe RS? It's a shame she isn't fussed or good at languages because English, History and an MFL is an excellent combination for many degrees, including Law. Is she any good at or excited by Geography? That can also be a good combination with the other two or a good choice for a full degree.

There are some excellent careers sites and advice out there. You just need to know where to look. Does her school library have a careers section? There are excellent resources around.

If she comes as far as year 12 and still has no idea for a career I would recommend choosing a pure academic subject in which she has the best ability and/or interest: English, History and Geography all good.

As others have said, a good degree from a good Uni can get you into many careers - I have a friend with a first in Theology from an RG who went very successfully into recruitment in the City (doesn't seem at first to be relevant at all!). Or if she does know what she wants to do by then, a relevant degree can be a good idea, even if it sounds a bit naff/'studies' ish; ie. if she wants to work in the media (and has a specific job and route to getting that job in mind rather than a vague aspiration), a media degree is now well thought of; if she didn't it would be a daft idea and much less acceptable than English for normal 'graduate' entry jobs, iyswim.

EvilTwins · 14/09/2013 17:02

Nothing wrong with drama Shock

My advice is for you to allow her to choose to study the subjects she is interested in and not to push her to consider a career. She is 15. She may change her mind about careers numerous times - I know I did!

If she is doing well in GCSEs then it leaves her options open. However, 6th form study is vastly different, and IME, students who have a natural interest in their subjects do better than those who don't. As for a degree, I would say avoid Law. The only friend from uni I have who studied law is now a pianist. Those who are lawyers did other degrees and then did the conversion course. Doing drama at university does not leave options closed. I did English & Theatre studies. I now teach, as do a few friends from the course. Others work in marketing, local government journalism & recruitment. Those who have made it in showbiz all had connections anyway (famous dads mostly)

Obviously you know your DD but please allow yourself to be guided by her interests and passions as much as you can.