Most profitable uni course to change career?

Wail

mrsbmartin wrote: »

Hi all,

So I'm thinking of having a change in career and possibly supporting that career by doing an undergrad course but I can't decide what to do....

I am 25 & a successful fashion store manager. I absolutely hate my job...I don't want to move up to area manager and I don't want to move into a lateral position at head office. I need something new to get my teeth into and to become a long term career.

When I was 18 I went to uni to study Egyptology...it was mostly just an excuse to leave a bad home situation (I only stayed at uni 3 months before quitting and going to work full time). I have very good A level grades in respected subjects (A's with distinctions) so entry level requirements shouldn't be a problem. I have also kept myself in an educational frame of mind by doing free online courses etc.

The problem is that I don't know what course to do. I obviously need to find something that will make me happy but the financial issue is massive too...I don't want to study for 3 years and pay thousands in fees to fail to see a decent salary at the end of it.

So - does anyone know what sort of courses end up being profitable in terms of graduate positions? I am very academic, far more so on the literary side than mathmatical/science based, though I am still very capable in those areas. It is in my nature to want to become an expert in my chosen field and I like to either lead or be led (not too keen on joint decisions!!). I am very practical and manual labour/diy etc...

I've thought of everything from Law to plumbing...I'm just at a loss at to where to go from here so any suggestions would be appreciated (I think I would like to do something with property - working in planning or the like).

Thanks all,

Great. Brilliant. Right, first thing first, it is not about the money. Any thing you get is an average. No matter what average they show you, there will be someone somewhere who has not found a job and is sitting on the dole. Stats can be manipulated.

Don't just go for the money because you will be back here at 30 with the exact same situation (just more debt and more regrets)

There is a wonderful video call What if money was no object. I have put a link below but if you cannot find it, it can be found on Google. I find it really thought provoking and I think it is something that you need now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nif01WZ9aI

You have a job and you are still young, so you still have time to really do your research. A kneejerk decision now is not something you should do.

My advice would be to think really hard, then shortlist. Dig round, ask people in that profession what the options (don't just go to uni's and ask, most of them have rose tinted views of the sector they are training up for).

Once you have shortlisted, you will start to identify a few favourites. At that point, something will start to stand out. Dig further into it and if it still looking good, grab the opportunity with both hands.

dancingfairy

I'd recommend having a look at the prospects website
1) you can see what sort of jobs a certain degree would lead to
2) you can see what qualifications/experience is needed for certain professions
3) you can join the myprospects section and go through and answer 20 or so questions and it gives you an idea of future careers for you. O.K so it only has 20 questions and might not be rocket science but might give you a few clues/something to think about?

You could see if you can find a careers book from the libary and do some of the tests in them or google and see what free online tests you can do to discover your strengths.

In terms of going back to uni though, going to uni does not necessarily mean you will earn lots of money. Also with professions like accountancy the route would be to maybe go to college/do distance learningetc rather than go to uni. You can also do well and earn quite bit of money without a uni degree. Best of Luck whatever you decide.
df