How can I get my son to focus?

Flyonthewall

BigAunty wrote: »

I think a qualified plumber would disagree with you.

With any job the amount of competition varies across the country. Some plumbers may disagree, others might not.

Overall, competition for most jobs is very high. It's not just media jobs.

It is because it belongs to that field of vague glamorous and trendy positions, like Fashion and Art, where there are very few opportunities available at a living wage and a huge supply of people throwing themselves at the roles, even unpaid ones, which have a 'who you know' rather than skills/qualification element.

I don't think that's the case at all. Sure, there will be some positions that applies to, but overall there are hundreds of different jobs you can do in media and there are many at min wage.

My friend had a research job in TV and used to laugh at the number of CVs pouring out of the fax machine (shows my age but just replace it with 'email inbox', relentless networking approaches made to her and showreels that turned up in the post on a daily basis for roles that were rare in number and hardly ever advertised. She was paid but these people were begging to have unpaid work experience.

She didn't even like her job - television production was full of coked up snobs (in her opinion) and she had to trawl pubs to make up the audience - basically herding drunks into the studio.

And as for drama as a career,don't get me started.

Yeah and media has changed a lot since then.

While people may well still be trying to get noticed by the TV companies many aren't. You say I've got a video, how do I get it noticed? Youtube. Social Media. That's the first thought now, regardless of the video content. From a silly 5 second clip of a cat to a HD quality movie.

It's unrealistic to think that you can study media and just get a job as head games developer for Sony. It's not unrealistic to think you can study media and become a (junior) games developer for a small indie games company. Same applies to all media jobs.

Media covers so many things, it's not unrealistic to think you can get a job in the industry. The level in which you aim to get/jump into might be though. There are low paid media jobs as well as high paid ones.

missbiggles1

Flyonthewall wrote: »

He probably doesn't know them, hence the need for a proper discussion on it all.

I did a BTEC course. I've been doing volunteer work which includes designing, creating and writing newsletters and posters. Working towards going self-employed creating graphics and videos.

Would that be the same as unemployed?

Potternerd

No he is actually a September birthday but small for his age and with it young for his age.

Many thanks for all the advice both about Xbox and doing media. We'll sit down before start of term and negotiate Xbox time in return for work done.

Will also look at media options. I appreciate comments both on how difficult it can be but also the range of different options.

pollypenny

Flyonthewall wrote: »

New TV shows and films are being made all the time. He could start making his own! Look at Youtube. It's starting to take over TV. There are people who have created their own films and shows. Some people get millions of views and advertisers/companies are reaching out more and more to Youtubers in an attempt to be noticed/get advertising/make money.

While certain jobs may not come up often they will from time to time and as companies and technology grow and change there may well be new jobs.



Do well and they may come after you. I know someone who has a blog and managed to get some articles into a local paper and has since had a big paper come to them.

As with TV, things change and no person stays in one job forever.

There are many different newspapers and magazines out there too so more chance of a job coming up than if there were only one or two newspapers.

Could even start your own magazine, newspaper or book. Can either attempt to find a publisher or self-publish or just have it all digital.



Then they need to look at other options - they are out there!

There are numerous forms of media, many different jobs in media and various routes to getting them jobs or becoming self employed.

Media is growing and changing. Years ago if you wanted to work on a TV show you had to get a job with the BBC or ITV. Now there are many TV channels or you can create your own show and upload it online. You no longer have to get a job with the one or two major companies who are the only option to have a media job.



The OPs son could well be talented and, once he has a goal to motivate him, be very committed.

If media is what he's interested in then he should go for that. He has as much chance as anyone else of getting his dream job.

You really are not helping the OP or her son. Re-read your penultimate paragraph.

The problem is his lack of motivation. A dose of realism is what is needed. OP is trying help him get that.

GwylimT

Have you always made him put school work first or has it only been since the start of GCSE?

My son was very lazy, he always did his homework the night he got it as he knew there would be too much hassle otherwise. He didn't revise for GCSE but as hes quite bright he did well. However at Alevel he also needed all As, he didn't get them at As as he is lazy, so he had to redo an entire year of college, that certainly focuses the mind!

I personally don't see the point in making them do something, they have to learn themselves, after all you aren't going to be there making him do everything for the rest of his life. At the end of the day, just like my son if he is going to do badly due to his own action it is something he deserves. It wont kill him, but if he wanted a better grade he would choose to earn it.

Flyonthewall

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Would that be the same as unemployed?

Currently. That has nothing to do with the media industry though, it's due to personal issues.

pollypenny wrote: »

You really are not helping the OP or her son. Re-read your penultimate paragraph.

The problem is his lack of motivation. A dose of realism is what is needed. OP is trying help him get that.

Lack of motivation because he probably doesn't know all his options or exactly what he wants to do other than an idea of doing something in media. Which is why OP needs to talk with him, as I keep saying.

Realistically, getting 5 GCSEs of C or above (including Maths and English) is the easiest way of getting where he wants. However, there are other options if he doesn't manage that.

Realistically, he's probably not going to just jump into a high paid, top media job with a well known media company. No one is. He can work towards it though.

Realistically, he could get a job in media. Depending on what area he wants to work in and the job situation where he lives depends on just how hard that will be, but it's not impossible at all. Again, he also has other options there (self employment, different job and side project, apprenticeship etc.)

Your view of realistic seems to be that he can't possibly get into media due to high competition and very few jobs roles. So what, he should just give up now? Forget what he'd like to do, he'll never get it? Yeah, that's really motivating.

Putting a load of pressure on him over GCSEs, then telling him when he finally manages that he'll have to study more, have a load more pressure on him to do well and that he'll then have loads of competition in trying to get a job he wants and probably won't ever get is not motivating.

missbiggles1

Flyonthewall wrote: »

Currently. That has nothing to do with the media industry though, it's due to personal issues.



Lack of motivation because he probably doesn't know all his options or exactly what he wants to do other than an idea of doing something in media. Which is why OP needs to talk with him, as I keep saying.

Realistically, getting 5 GCSEs of C or above (including Maths and English) is the easiest way of getting where he wants. However, there are other options if he doesn't manage that.

Realistically, he's probably not going to just jump into a high paid, top media job with a well known media company. No one is. He can work towards it though.

Realistically, he could get a job in media. Depending on what area he wants to work in and the job situation where he lives depends on just how hard that will be, but it's not impossible at all. Again, he also has other options there (self employment, different job and side project, apprenticeship etc.)

Your view of realistic seems to be that he can't possibly get into media due to high competition and very few jobs roles. So what, he should just give up now? Forget what he'd like to do, he'll never get it? Yeah, that's really motivating.

Putting a load of pressure on him over GCSEs, then telling him when he finally manages that he'll have to study more, have a load more pressure on him to do well and that he'll then have loads of competition in trying to get a job he wants and probably won't ever get is not motivating.

But it's certainly more realistic than telling an immature, unmotivated 15 year old that, if he mutters something one day about media (based on the fact that he enjoys playing video games) all he has to do is wave a magic wand and the world of media will be at his feet!

Nothing much wrong with 15 year olds thinking like that because they tend to grow out of it, more worrying when adults encourage them in it because it in some way validates thei own "career" decisions.

Dark_elf

Look at Dominic O'Brien's memory system - audiobooks too - it talks about how he turned around from a daydreamer to being a world memory champion. he talks about the techniques he used to make learning fun.

Flyonthewall

missbiggles1 wrote: »

But it's certainly more realistic than telling an immature, unmotivated 15 year old that, if he mutters something one day about media (based on the fact that he enjoys playing video games) all he has to do is wave a magic wand and the world of media will be at his feet!

Most teens use social media and the Internet constantly. They are lost without it. Chances are he also likes watching TV and films. Maybe other media too. You can't assume he wants to go into media because he likes gaming. It may be that, but it's not been said.

At no point have I said that it is easy! I have said more than once about the different routes to get there. Obviously he can't just drift through school and then magically gain a media job without doing a thing. I never said he could.

Nothing much wrong with 15 year olds thinking like that because they tend to grow out of it, more worrying when adults encourage them in it because it in some way validates thei own "career" decisions.

Encouraging and being supportive isn't the same as pressuring though and this has nothing to do with validating the OP career decisions.

Parents should encourage their children. Putting a lot of pressure on them, however, can be very stressful and if they think it's all for nothing then that's very depressing and will have an affect on later decisions.

missbiggles1

Flyonthewall wrote: »

Most teens use social media and the Internet constantly. They are lost without it. Chances are he also likes watching TV and films. Maybe other media too. You can't assume he wants to go into media because he likes gaming. It may be that, but it's not been said.

At no point have I said that it is easy! I have said more than once about the different routes to get there. Obviously he can't just drift through school and then magically gain a media job without doing a thing. I never said he could.



Encouraging and being supportive isn't the same as pressuring though and this has nothing to do with validating the OP career decisions.

Parents should encourage their children. Putting a lot of pressure on them, however, can be very stressful and if they think it's all for nothing then that's very depressing and will have an affect on later decisions.

Nothing to do with the OP (mother) 's career decisions - I was talking about yours!

You've done some low level media course, are unemployed after it and think that gives the the knowledge to encourage some immature youngster into taking the same route.

I find that totally irresponsible in an adult who should know better!