University Courses with good career prospects

agrinnall

While it is sensible to have at least some idea of what you might want to do after university, it's not necessary for that to actually be what you do. I went to university to study chemistry, with a fairly vague intention of working in industry. As it turned out I wasn't really good enough or that interested to make chemistry my career, so I took my 2:2 and went into something that did (at that time at least) interest me, and I worked for 27 years in IT. I'm now working in sociology research, not something that would even have crossed my mind at 18, so things change and what you study may not be as important as what you do with the proven ability to learn.

tunde10

agrinnall wrote: »

While it is sensible to have at least some idea of what you might want to do after university, it's not necessary for that to actually be what you do. I went to university to study chemistry, with a fairly vague intention of working in industry. As it turned out I wasn't really good enough or that interested to make chemistry my career, so I took my 2:2 and went into something that did (at that time at least) interest me, and I worked for 27 years in IT. I'm now working in sociology research, not something that would even have crossed my mind at 18, so things change and what you study may not be as important as what you do with the proven ability to learn.

Good point, but I wasnt really trying to get into a discussion about whether going to Uni is best or what mifht happen later on. But it seems thats the way this thread is gonna go. So i guess my idea of a list isnt the the best and he should just pick what he feels like

Lagoon

tunde10 wrote: »

His brother made the mistake of studying Media studies at uni. Even though not the worst degree, it became pretty clear that it will be a very hard struggle to get a job especially in this economy. So i think its understandable to be a bit concerned about his brother

I think this is key as well. It's down to the individual, and he can and will make his own decisions when the time is right. I studied a media course at university - it opened many doors for me, and eventually it's led to me running my own successful business. Of course, running my own business didn't 'require' me to have that qualification, but it led me along this path.

It's exactly why other people shouldn't try and control someone else's decision or their future. I have a sibling that did a mechanic's apprenticeship and one that studied at a drama school. All three of us are doing well in our respective fields, and are very happy with our choices.

On the other hand, many people believe that the kind of course I did is a waste of time because it's not what THEY would do, and because they don't understand what's involved. Whilst anyone that did my course would have seen that it was challenging and worth what I paid, the same people who judge them as 'worthless' courses are out there employing and reading CVs. If you do a media/art course, you have to be prepared to face that judgment, but you also have to remember that there are employers out there that have no issue with reading the word 'media' or 'art' on a CV.

All this shows why he needs to make his own choice, and why nobody can recommend him anything. A highly theoretical, academic course might be the choice he makes, but if he'd prefer to study art then it's really a non-issue.

Who?_me?

tunde10 wrote: »

I agree with teaching, that is one of the things i will suggest as i know certains fields such as Maths has a shortage.
I have added a courses that leads could teaching to the list, as well as law, sports science & health and social care.

There are no shortages in teaching. The only shortages in teaching are jobs. There are not enough for all the currently trained teachers, teaching is a vocation, not an after thought.It is hard work, if you manage to get a job.
Right, got that out of my system

Going to uni, regardless of how intelligent you are, when you don't know what you want to do is a complete waste of time and money. Go out there, find out what you like in life, what you enjoy, and then think about uni if you need it. Get on a higher level apprenticeship, go and do voluntary work, anything, get some experiance of life and you will find the rest just follows on.

tunde10

Lagoon wrote: »

I think this is key as well. It's down to the individual, and he can and will make his own decisions when the time is right. I studied a media course at university - it opened many doors for me, and eventually it's led to me running my own successful business. Of course, running my own business didn't 'require' me to have that qualification, but it led me along this path.

It's exactly why other people shouldn't try and control someone else's decision or their future. I have a sibling that did a mechanic's apprenticeship and one that studied at a drama school. All three of us are doing well in our respective fields, and are very happy with our choices.

On the other hand, many people believe that the kind of course I did is a waste of time because it's not what THEY would do, and because they don't understand what's involved. Whilst anyone that did my course would have seen that it was challenging and worth what I paid, the same people who judge them as 'worthless' courses are out there employing and reading CVs. If you do a media/art course, you have to be prepared to face that judgment, but you also have to remember that there are employers out there that have no issue with reading the word 'media' or 'art' on a CV.

All this shows why he needs to make his own choice, and why nobody can recommend him anything. A highly theoretical, academic course might be the choice he makes, but if he'd prefer to study art then it's really a non-issue.

Alright very good point as it is ultimately down to him to decide. Hopefully whatever he studies actually leads to a job. The reason for concern is that the brother who did media studies now only uses it as an hobby due to over 18months trying to find work in that field. He is now trying to retrain in something else. Meanwhile the government are trying to force him on work programme to do minimum wage jobs for free. So i kinda think its important to pick a course which give u a good prospect of employment as u can see the consequences of long-term emploment

Who?_me?

Here's another thought, do a degree in what ever takes his fancy, but to leave Uni with an open mind, that he may well not get a job in the subject that he studied, that it could just be a degree, that he has worked to that level . I think one mistake people make is that they leave uni with a degree in for example Media studies and then desperatly strive to get a job to use their degree. Having an open mind as to what path we follow in life, particularly at the moment, is more likely to get you a job, than just focussing on one thing.

Dunroamin

Who?_me? wrote: »

There are no shortages in teaching. The only shortages in teaching are jobs. There are not enough for all the currently trained teachers, teaching is a vocation, not an after thought.It is hard work, if you manage to get a job.
Right, got that out of my system

Going to uni, regardless of how intelligent you are, when you don't know what you want to do is a complete waste of time and money. Go out there, find out what you like in life, what you enjoy, and then think about uni if you need it. Get on a higher level apprenticeship, go and do voluntary work, anything, get some experiance of life and you will find the rest just follows on.

Teaching should never be a fall back option but there are actually shortage subjects where jobs are available.

http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/subjects-age-groups/teach-maths/path-into-teaching.aspx

Regarding the rest, this is only true if you plan to do a vocational subject for a degree. For the really academic, higher level study is worth it for its own sake and there will always be career options (regardless of the degree subject) for those with excellent results who have used their time at university wisely to build a rewarding and positive CV and having developed transferrable skills in the wider university life.

tunde10

Who?_me? wrote: »

Here's another thought, do a degree in what ever takes his fancy, but to leave Uni with an open mind, that he may well not get a job in the subject that he studied, that it could just be a degree, that he has worked to that level . I think one mistake people make is that they leave uni with a degree in for example Media studies and then desperatly strive to get a job to use their degree. Having an open mind as to what path we follow in life, particularly at the moment, is more likely to get you a job, than just focussing on one thing.

Makes sense but then why go to Uni with £9k per year fees if you think it might not lead to a job. I dont think the experience is worth £9k of fees.

Basically i think it makes sense to do a degree where there is actually an opportunity to go into certain careers. But it sounds like most degrees are transferable so maybe not a big issue.

Lagoon

tunde10 wrote: »

Makes sense but then why go to Uni with £9k per year fees if you think it might not lead to a job. I dont think the experience is worth £9k of fees.

Basically i think it makes sense to do a degree where there is actually an opportunity to go into certain careers. But it sounds like most degrees are transferable so maybe not a big issue.

Whilst I did use my degree along my path, I'd argue that the experience of university CAN be worth the fees even if you don't use your degree specifically.

Again, just throwing in one argument here. When I was at university, I was able to gain a wide range of experience. I had the flexibility to do many temporary jobs without NEEDING the money, I was able to build my confidence and try out new things by volunteering, and I made friends on other courses that are now potential networking contacts in a wide range of careers. University moved me from one end of the country to the other, it gave me independence and a way to slowly learn about living on my own and managing my finances whilst I had the support of the university/accommodation providers if there had been any issues.

That's ignoring all of the transferrable skills you get from any degree, and the knowledge that comes from doing the work not from the content of the work you're doing.

Again, to some that might seem like a waste of 9k, but you can look at it another way. You also get relatively cheap accommodation for those few years, often with bills thrown in so that you don't need to worry about all of those issues. You can work part-time and earn money as you're studying, and the fees themselves are what some people would spend on a fortnight abroad each year.

Weighing up cheap accommodation, the potential to earn, the qualification and the experience against a holiday abroad before you return to your rental property and your job, and the difference perhaps isn't as significant as some seem to think. Working immediately is right for some people, but there's a lot to be said for going to university, getting a qualification and learning from the experience.

Person_one

Dunroamin wrote: »

I think you mean http://www.prospects.ac.uk/

Oops, yes, autocorrect must have got hold of that!