Can someone help please? :( VERY long post.

Savvy_Sue

mountainofdebt wrote: »

The other thing that I'm trying to get through Junior's thick skull is that these days employers like to see extra curricula activities on people's applications.

In my mind it shows a bit of get up and go.

good luck with that. :rotfl: The battle with DS3 starts next year. I've yet to find a subject I know anything about, in his opinion - although to be fair he did text me late the other night to ask about getting a joint bank account with an overdraft to pay the house bills next year! I told him no chance, and a very bad idea anyway (to get an overdraft on the bills account, better to get everyone to pay something in up front!) and pointed him to Martin's articles on bank accounts.

I think it's acknowledged that Martin may know a few things. Although (in their opinion) probably not as many as I think he does. :rotfl:

Mrs_Imp

There are a few courses that require summer work. I did archaeology and had to spend 4 weeks of my summer on a training excavation (unpaid) then write a short report on it. But most courses do not require summer work.

The best thing she can do is to try and get relevent work experience over the summer, even if it's just a couple of weeks unpaid so that she can get a paid job the rest of the time.

Otherwise in 3 years time when she's applying for jobs, an employer will have to choose between someone with work experience and someone with none. I know who I'd employ!

Dunroamin

paulineb wrote: »

When I was at uni, 25 years ago, I couldnt find summer work. I tried, shops, supermarkets, couldnt find anything. I live in an area of high unemployment. I had one paid placement at uni after my second year and at that time, which was in the early 90s, we were in a similar situation than now, very few jobs.

Things were different then re grants and loans, I got a grant which covered my travel and books and my mum paid some parental contribution, that was assessed as well.

I didnt expect my mum to pay for everything for me, but she obviously fed me and didnt take rent because there was no way what I had would have had enough left over to do so. And when I left uni I was 3 years unemployed because having my degree didnt help my job prospects. I eventually got some part time work working with young people, like 9 hours a week and that gave me enough experience to be accepted for a post grad and from then I managed to find full time work.

Its hard out there at the moment for a lot of people jobs wise, but the fact is, your daughter already has a part time job and I presume she could get more hours.

If I were her, I wouldnt be making summer plans. Id be trying to get my working hours increased even to 3 or 4 days a week for the summer and putting aside some money for when she goes to uni.
Because even with a maintenance grant, I would estimate that she may still find it tough.

I was talking to someone whose daughter has just graduated and she lived away from home for 3 years, has a full time job to go to, but has racked up around £45000 worth of student loans just to pay for accommodation, books, travel and she also works.

Reality may bite hard when she actually gets to university. And no, in most courses you dont sit and study over the summer, you end your course in May or June and you go back in the autumn.

Re the conversation about not paying her allowance next year, I would have the conversation now, because that might give her the kick up the backside she needs.

Also, I presume even with the one days work she does get, she gets paid more than £25 a shift? You could have cut it down sooner if you didnt want to stop it.

Shes in a better position than a lot of young people, she has a job.

Students starting on or after 2012 might rack up £45,000 of student loans for a 3 year course but that wouldn't've been possible earlier on when fees were only £3,000. Your friend has either misunderstood or is greatly exaggerating.

As a general point (and I'm not having a pop at you) students who come from an area of high unemployment are often better staying on in their university town/city in order to find work in the holidays and certainly not returning to their parents' home when they graduate.

Lou67

I kind of agree Dunroamin. Also, as an aside: I do worry about her getting a shedload of debt to get a degree: I mean maybe 40 grand or more, and I have expressed this: saying 'why do you not go for an apprenticeship?' but she is adamant she wants to go, so there's not much I can do about it. Just hope for the best and wish her well.

By the way, all you people on here have been absolutely brilliant. You have no idea how helpful you have been. I an so chuffed at the amount of responses and how helpful everyone has been. I am having a chat with my daughter this afternoon. Not looking forward to it. Will keep you posted.

Brighton_belle

Lou67 wrote: »

I kind of agree Dunroamin. Also, as an aside: I do worry about her getting a shedload of debt to get a degree: I mean maybe 40 grand or more, and I have expressed this: saying 'why do you not go for an apprenticeship?' but she is adamant she wants to go, so there's not much I can do about it. Just hope for the best and wish her well.

Lou, read what Martin says about student debt - it may help you see it in a different way and much more positively:
http://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2012/09/20/student-loans-arent-a-debt-change-the-name-to-avert-a-national-tragedy/

Lou67

Thanks BB I did actually see Martin on the telly saying that people shouldn't worry so much as the debt isn't as severe as people assume, and they often will not pay it all back etc... But I still worry, and I kind of wish she would go on an apprenticeship instead. Her life though.

neverdespairgirl

Lou67 wrote: »

I kind of agree Dunroamin. Also, as an aside: I do worry about her getting a shedload of debt to get a degree: I mean maybe 40 grand or more, and I have expressed this: saying 'why do you not go for an apprenticeship?' but she is adamant she wants to go, so there's not much I can do about it. Just hope for the best and wish her well.

What is she reading at university?

Whatever the subject, if it is a proper academic one, then even aside from career advantages, a degree course is valuable. It isn't so much about what you learn, as studying something in detail, enlarging your academic horizons, exploring ideas and honing skills in logic, relevance, and all sorts of other matters.

I'm very glad I did my undergrad and post-grad degrees for those reasons, as well as in relation to my work now.

nickj_2

my daughter is the same age , she isn't going to uni , but has just completed a travel and tourism diploma and is about to start work as a hotel rep for tom cook very soon , her course was only for 2 days , on her "days off" from college she worked at our local hotel , starting at 6-30 am , she had one day off a week to do her college work . most weeks she would be earning around £300 p/w , the hotel love her as she's reliable , capable and very hard working ,doesn't mind the hours
if she wanted to go to uni i reckon she could afford to fund herself if she wanted to .

Lou67

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

What is she reading at university?

Whatever the subject, if it is a proper academic one, then even aside from career advantages, a degree course is valuable. It isn't so much about what you learn, as studying something in detail, enlarging your academic horizons, exploring ideas and honing skills in logic, relevance, and all sorts of other matters.

I'm very glad I did my undergrad and post-grad degrees for those reasons, as well as in relation to my work now.

It is an academic degree, but I know many many people who have shedloads of debt, who spent years at uni, and can't get a job at Primark now. I just would have preferred her to have gone onto an apprenticeship, rather than go to uni: it's just my personal preference, and of course, it's up to her what she actually does, as it's her life.

I'm not TOTALLY against it, and I certainly don't think it's stupid or a waste of time: I just think you can have a successful life and career without going.

Mojisola

Lou67 wrote: »

Upshot is, she has a part time job in a store in town, but she literally just does 1 or 2 Saturdays a month, and half the time, she turns them down, because she has plans or just can't be bothered to go.

nickj wrote: »

my daughter is the same age , she isn't going to uni , but has just completed a travel and tourism diploma and is about to start work as a hotel rep for tom cook very soon , her course was only for 2 days , on her "days off" from college she worked at our local hotel , starting at 6-30 am , she had one day off a week to do her college work . most weeks she would be earning around £300 p/w , the hotel love her as she's reliable , capable and very hard working ,doesn't mind the hours
if she wanted to go to uni i reckon she could afford to fund herself if she wanted to .

Whatever your qualifications, getting and keeping a job depends on attitude. What a contrast between these two young women!