Son has dropped out of uni

lyniced

My son has just dropped out of uni (he really wasn't happy on his course) but doesn't want to go back into any other education course/training so hes got to look for a job. He's got 8 GCSEs, 3 A levels and 1 AS. He's really unsure as to what to do - what sort of thing are employers looking for these days? ANy ideas?

Smeep

I'm not the best person to speak to about this, but the general consensus these days is experience and not education.

When ever I'm looking for jobs, it's "Experience required". So the question is, what experience does he have that can support the qualifications he's already got?

GCSE's are enough to get in to most jobs. He's got A levels, even better. University is just the icing on the cake and I wouldn't worry to much about that.

If he registers on monster.co.uk and other CV sites, they have CV's building guides which also should give you/him a better idea of what an employer is looking for.

lyniced

Thanks for that - his A levels are English, Media and Business studies - and AS RE. I keep thinking getting into a bank or even local government would be his best bet - do you think he's qualified enough for these jobs?

dobbie82

Hi,

I wouldn't worry too much about your son, uni just isnt suited to some people. I was a bookworm from primary school, ended up with 11 GCSE's and equivalent of 2 a levels and 1 AS level, I went to Uni because I was expected to and actually stayed there for 2 years before dropping out as I really was not enjoying the course, the environment, actuallly the whole experience.

Mainly been doing receptionist and admin work, but wanting to do hotel management as in my last job Ive been working in reception, bar, cellar, restauraunt etc, I am learning a lot and its something I enjoy.

Your son is more than qualified for banking jobs or local government jobs. They usually ask for 5 GCSE's preferably including Maths and English. So, if he were to apply for a job in a bank for example, he should be able to move up the ladder pretty quickly.

Local government and Banks are also very likely to give your son free training so his education wont grind to a halt, usually he could maybe do NVQ's like customer service, and in time staff supervision and eventually front office management perhaps etc, every qualification hopefully means more chance of a pay rise

I wish him happy job hunting!

Smeep

What does he want to do is a more important quest? Maybe he doesn't know.

You can get in to a bank job (heh, bank job) with the basics (Maths, English) if you A. Don't mind starting at the bottom and B. (more importantly) can show them what you're really made of in an interview.

If he has trouble getting a job himself, he can register at an agency who will do all the hard work for him. If he's got these qualifications, they'll bust the backs trying to get him in as it means easy cash for them.

Some agency take payment from his wage though, so make sure he checks them out first. When I had to leave my last job due to unfair treatment and traveling distance, I went to Brook Street (Website) and I had a new job within weeks. Most of that was timing, I admit.

lyniced

dobbie82 wrote: »

Hi,

I wouldn't worry too much about your son, uni just isnt suited to some people. I was a bookworm from primary school, ended up with 11 GCSE's and equivalent of 2 a levels and 1 AS level, I went to Uni because I was expected to and actually stayed there for 2 years before dropping out as I really was not enjoying the course, the environment, actuallly the whole experience.

Mainly been doing receptionist and admin work, but wanting to do hotel management as in my last job Ive been working in reception, bar, cellar, restauraunt etc, I am learning a lot and its something I enjoy.

Your son is more than qualified for banking jobs or local government jobs. They usually ask for 5 GCSE's preferably including Maths and English. So, if he were to apply for a job in a bank for example, he should be able to move up the ladder pretty quickly.

Local government and Banks are also very likely to give your son free training so his education wont grind to a halt, usually he could maybe do NVQ's like customer service, and in time staff supervision and eventually front office management perhaps etc, every qualification hopefully means more chance of a pay rise

I wish him happy job hunting!

Thanks for that - its really encouraging. I must admit I was feeling a bit down about everything (and so is he) as its drummed into you that having a degree is the only choice to getting a good job. A friend of mine has a daughter who has a geography degree, and since she left uni two years ago hasn't been able to find an appropriate job, so I know its not everything.

By the way he has got English and Maths GCSEs.

Emmzi

lyniced wrote: »

Thanks for that - its really encouraging. I must admit I was feeling a bit down about everything (and so is he) as its drummed into you that having a degree is the only choice to getting a good job.

My work employ graduates and apprentices.

One group are a bit patchy, with some thinking they're a minor deity and owed a living.

The other group are more consistent - graft, get on with it, are enthusiatic and appreciate the opportunity.

Guess which one we're hiring more of, and which we're hiring less of, next year...

A degree isn't the 'status symbol' it used to be. Work experience is more important.

If you have a local careers advisor they can whack him through some tests to see what his 'aptitude' and career options may be - can his old school, uni, council suggest anything like this to help?

lynzpower

lyniced wrote: »

Thanks for that - his A levels are English, Media and Business studies - and AS RE. I keep thinking getting into a bank or even local government would be his best bet - do you think he's qualified enough for these jobs?

course he is!

I worked in local giovernment for 5 years, I have a degree, but the job is a 5 GCSE job, paying 25k ( central london mind)

my degree was the biggest waste of money ever!

Plum_Pie

I dropped out as well. I wish I'd done it quicker too! As going to university is no longer rare, dropping out is no longer rare either (ie it doesn't ruin your job prospects for life!) I wish my parents had been as supportive as you.

Skills are key, thinking about what he enjoys doing and what work experience he has so far.

lyniced

Thanks for all your help - I've shown my son all your messages and he's very encouraged. He has rung up a few agencies and has an interview with one on Thurs. He has also applied for a job on-line for a local government position (A level educated is what it says) so will wait and see how it goes.

Poppy9

Has your son done any work at all in the past? If so he must use this in his application forms as it may give him the edge.

When he is completeing application forms, especially for Local Govt. you have to demonstrate you meet the 'essential' and 'desirable' criteria as best as possible.

If it asks for the ability to work in a team, don't just put "I'm a good team worker". Better put "I have worked as part of a team in xxxxxxx". Always give a full answer for each catagory.

If he has no work experience, he needs to get some. Even if it's just working in a chip shop or cleaning in a bar and earning a few pounds an hour. Work experience shows someone willing to graft and it's amazing how you can talk up any work experience.

Good luck.