heres jonny Posted November 12, 2011 Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 Should I go? I left college last year, and had no.intention of going to be honest, massive debt doesnt appeal, rather have money and work up, etc Working my way up has.failed... Im stuck on crappy part time work at a retail firm ... So the whole uni thing has cropped up again ... Do I go or not? I don't really have any idea on what I want to do as a career, so its been hard trying to search for a decent.job, and this obviously makes choosing uni courses difficult ... I always thought about being a primary school teacher, that's the only thing, along with police force, that I've been somewhat interested in .. Police is a no go really, cuts everywhere and all that, no recruitment in local areas But then again I really don't know if I want to be a teacher, like 100% positive Maybe I should take a more broad degree like business studies that could help in potentially more job applications in the future ... I got good GCSEs and a levels - B psychology B business studies B photography Im considering uni for the seemingly better career prospects long term, and obviously a hell of a good life experience.. Would be great to hear some people stories of university, if you did or didn't go, how.you've turned out with regards to the course you did and where its got you ... Also, any teachers here? Enjoy your job? :L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batz Posted November 12, 2011 Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 What were your A levels like? Can you go straight to teaching or do you need to do a degree first? I've done my Foundation Degree, followed by my top up (doidn now) to Ba hons, then it's either PGCE or an MA in social work i think. It's a lot of money BUT you don't pay it back till 21k.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heres jonny Posted November 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 Teaching requires a degree ... Degree can be in anything though, as you do a placement year extending skills into teaching .. you can otherwise do a primary teaching degree, which goes straight into teaching with qualified status after 3 years My A levels were allright, didn't like the college much and missed a lot of second year while going to work instead ( oops ) still.got my 3 Bs though ... Everyone's saying I'm too smart to not go to uni, and I appreciate I'm wasted in some crappy retail job... No bloody idea though ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Geoff Posted November 12, 2011 Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 My gut reaction is to say don't go back until you know exactly what you want to do and why. Partly because it's a lot of money, partly because you'll find it a whole lot easier if you've got a solid target in mind. Thought about simply changing jobs? It can take a while finding one you really enjoy, so don't be surprised if the first one isn't your perfect job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batz Posted November 12, 2011 Report Share Posted November 12, 2011 My gut reaction is to say don't go back until you know exactly what you want to do and why. Partly because it's a lot of money, partly because you'll find it a whole lot easier if you've got a solid target in mind. Thought about simply changing jobs? It can take a while finding one you really enjoy, so don't be surprised if the first one isn't your perfect job. Thats a good point. Have you thought about teaching assistant posts Jon? Just to try something close. That said this isn't the first time you've thought about this. Doing a degree that INTERESTS you isn't going to be a waste, especially if you think about PGCE after BUT the jobs are mainly in Primary or specific subjects and to be a subject specialist at secondary level you need a degree in that field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L60N Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 Geoff speaks the truth and I was about to add the same: try and suss out what your end goal is first, then go for it. It might not require university, it might. I graduated with a civ eng degree back in 05 and is a solid one to have. The nature of the course and its content can take you in several directions. Design, site management, finance, environmental. Im so glad I stuck it out. Hope you find what you're looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamjames555 Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 have no actually experience but im trying to get into nuclear engineering and theres loads of ways to get uni qualifications without going uni ! like if you get high level apprenticeships they often pay for you to go uni and you get paid to work for them ! it takes on average one year longer but no debts and money in the bank :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heres jonny Posted November 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 All well and good if you know exactly where you wanna work and can approach a big business and go onto their apprenticeship schemes ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kiter Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 you need to know where you want to go before you start trying to get there. Im afraid you missed the boat somewhat waiting till this late to try and get a degree. Its now so much more expensive. If your going to get a degree, make sure its something you love. Your going to be doing it for 3 years at least, dont be another drop out statistic. Im at uni now, biochemistry for 4 years. I like chemistry, and i love being at uni. I have to work a lot harder than some other degree courses, i have very high contact hours and lots lab work to do, with essays, write ups and self-directed learning, but i wouldnt have it any other way. If you really cant make up your mind, take a year out. Go somewhere. Do something amazing. Try Australia for a start, run away from the winter here and kitesurf. Its what i did last year so glad i went. helped me relax after a-level stress and got me ready for uni. Im a much stronger person for having done it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heres jonny Posted November 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 That's the main trouble ... I really don't know what I want to do, 100%, I have sort of ideas, but nothing definite like most.of my college friends who've gone already ... It's trying to pick something and decide, yes I want to do this for the rest of my life ... I just don't know ... But I feel pressure from.people around me to go which is making things harder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Geoff Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 They've got no right to pressure you unless they're offering to pay for it Entirely your decision at the end of the day, make sure that if you go to uni it's because you want to go to uni. Hey, I think you should give me all your kites, but it's not a particularly good reason to do so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heres jonny Posted November 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 I'll give you my kites in return for some money Haha See your point Geoff .. Looking into it, it seems I have 2 choices if I do go.. 1. Do something academic to further my good academics, and go into a 9-5 blah blah job but at least have the security of a decent degree, and a job... Most likely anyway, I understand some people do degrees and go completely away from it after uni .. something like business management, or similar ... 2. Do something that interests me, such as teaching, or psychology ... Psychology would be fun, but not much scope for the end of uni unless I want to be a psychologist, which I've never thought of doing ... I always said to myself that I don't want a 9-5 office job, for 40 years of my life, 2 kids, a Ford focus, and one holiday a year ... The stereotypical family .. but the other options seem to be fun, such as travelling, or whatever, but don't have the long term security that an academic degree and London job seem to offer more chance of ... There's always the option of forget uni and carry on how I am .. I have a lot of retail experience, from sales and customer service. And even warehousing and stockroom work, at times taking the stockroom management on myself while managers were away ... If I had a clue what I wanted to do I would find a company that offered the sort of career I want, big up my academics and experience and id probably do okay, but obviously not knowing what I want to do means I can't do this ... Confusing ... Grrrr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
williamjames555 Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 All well and good if you know exactly where you wanna work and can approach a big business and go onto their apprenticeship schemes ... point taken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batz Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 you need to know where you want to go before you start trying to get there. Im afraid you missed the boat somewhat waiting till this late to try and get a degree. Its now so much more expensive. If your going to get a degree, make sure its something you love. Your going to be doing it for 3 years at least, dont be another drop out statistic. Im at uni now, biochemistry for 4 years. I like chemistry, and i love being at uni. I have to work a lot harder than some other degree courses, i have very high contact hours and lots lab work to do, with essays, write ups and self-directed learning, but i wouldnt have it any other way. If you really cant make up your mind, take a year out. Go somewhere. Do something amazing. Try Australia for a start, run away from the winter here and kitesurf. Its what i did last year so glad i went. helped me relax after a-level stress and got me ready for uni. Im a much stronger person for having done it. Us 'mature' students rule lol. I agree with the idea of travel Jon. Maybe kite instruction somewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batz Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 I'll give you my kites in return for some money Haha See your point Geoff .. Looking into it, it seems I have 2 choices if I do go.. 1. Do something academic to further my good academics, and go into a 9-5 blah blah job but at least have the security of a decent degree, and a job... Most likely anyway, I understand some people do degrees and go completely away from it after uni .. something like business management, or similar ... 2. Do something that interests me, such as teaching, or psychology ... Psychology would be fun, but not much scope for the end of uni unless I want to be a psychologist, which I've never thought of doing ... I always said to myself that I don't want a 9-5 office job, for 40 years of my life, 2 kids, a Ford focus, and one holiday a year ... The stereotypical family .. but the other options seem to be fun, such as travelling, or whatever, but don't have the long term security that an academic degree and London job seem to offer more chance of ... There's always the option of forget uni and carry on how I am .. I have a lot of retail experience, from sales and customer service. And even warehousing and stockroom work, at times taking the stockroom management on myself while managers were away ... If I had a clue what I wanted to do I would find a company that offered the sort of career I want, big up my academics and experience and id probably do okay, but obviously not knowing what I want to do means I can't do this ... Confusing ... Grrrr You'd find that Psychology can lead all over Jon. Especially if you follow up with a masters etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammy1599968740 Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 Done uni and a PGCE and I definitely don't know what I want to do! so I really wouldn't worry about it. you're 19! I wouldn't expect to know exactly what i want to do until I'm at least 30! Uni was the second best time of my life (after boarding school) but the cost of it now would definitely make me think twice about going. 25 grand of debt is enough for the minute! Don't think that going to uni will necessarily increase your prospects though. I can't even get a bar job at the moment! if I were interested in that sort of thing, I'd definitely look into engineering apprenticeships and stuff. there's always the army! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batz Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 Done uni and a PGCE and I definitely don't know what I want to do! so I really wouldn't worry about it. you're 19! I wouldn't expect to know exactly what i want to do until I'm at least 30! Uni was the second best time of my life (after boarding school) but the cost of it now would definitely make me think twice about going. 25 grand of debt is enough for the minute! Don't think that going to uni will necessarily increase your prospects though. I can't even get a bar job at the moment! if I were interested in that sort of thing, I'd definitely look into engineering apprenticeships and stuff. there's always the army! i have to agree there too. Graduated mt FD with Merit.............couldn't get a job, so back to Uni! LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthewtraver Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 I went. Enjoyed 10%, disliked 90%. I failed (long and complex story), got spat out the system and finished off with the Open University which I enjoyed immensely. Definitely my experience and opinion of a brick-mortar university may be less what you're wanting hear ;-)... but I can highly recommend distance learning (i.e. OU), if you're having any qualms about paying high-fees, student life, income etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowlovva Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 Ive been teaching for 14 years and I love doing it. I have also seen far too many pupils go to uni, get a degree (good, bad or medium level)....and come out at the end finding it difficult getting a job, or any work related to their degree. How bout looking for work in photography and doing an OU psychology course part time..........what about becoming a paparazzi......do u know any celebs. If you really like the idea of teaching, try getting in touch with local schools, or your old school and asking if you can do a couple of days as an odserver.....although you will need a CRB check Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heres jonny Posted November 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 I do some work with kids at the local cub scouts, was going to look at getting into local school as a TA just to see if really enjoyed it .. To be honest I'm no photographer, my brother is shit hot at photography ( chrishayesphotographics on facebook) Psychology interests me the most. Loved that at college, definately my favourite ... But with teaching I think id rather teach primary level... But.considering A level, psychology teaching ... Again its trying to choose, I just don't know ... Maybe a.combined psychology with education, something like that ... That's what I'm looking into at the moment .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Geoff Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 Now that sounds like a bit of a plan coming together - a psychology degree would be very useful combined with teaching, and you can try the job out to start with without having to commit to the degree at first. Highest marks I got at uni were an outside course in psychology, very interesting stuff. It's pretty heavy on the statistics at times, but generally fun. And if you can explain the poltergeist/adolescence link there's probably a Nobel Prize to be had too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batz Posted November 13, 2011 Report Share Posted November 13, 2011 I do some work with kids at the local cub scouts, was going to look at getting into local school as a TA just to see if really enjoyed it .. To be honest I'm no photographer, my brother is shit hot at photography ( chrishayesphotographics on facebook) Psychology interests me the most. Loved that at college, definately my favourite ... But with teaching I think id rather teach primary level... But.considering A level, psychology teaching ... Again its trying to choose, I just don't know ... Maybe a.combined psychology with education, something like that ... That's what I'm looking into at the moment .. Sounds good. keep thinking but don't think yourself out of it. Sometimes a leap of faith is the best way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmon81 Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 I currently work at a univeristy and work with those looking/ thinking to apply to uni and those at uni (study & learning skills)...whilst working here im also doing a PGCE to teach at Uni so my 10pence worth.... - Agree with everyone, make sure its your decision and the right one...have a good think. - pick something you love...its the next 30+ years of your life make sure its soemthing you're passionate about - yes its expensive now but in the long run it may not be as bad as 9k+ a year looks....and actually similar to how its currently is. - if you do go into primary ed you'll be a valuable commodity...there's not many male primary teachers out there! - there is way more options after a psychology degree than just a 'psychologist'...have a good search...maybe educational psychology?? - Where the vast majority of students fail when going to uni is they waste their time there...it pisses me right off...and i work with the barstewards!!....they dont take advantage of the people, resources, networks that are there...they literally piss their degrees up the wall. good luck....to me from an outsiders point of view its sounds like teaching is something you may have a passion for....just make sure its for the right reasons and not because someone said 'you're good with kids...you should be a teacher!' if i can help with any questions let me know...good luck Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heres jonny Posted November 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Thanks Dan (: Teaching is something I've always been interested in, aswell as people saying I would make a good teacher, because I'm good at explaining and making kids understand stuff . Apparently :L Just doing lots of reading into it to see if it is exactly what I want to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.