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michael 11:27 Mon May 23
career,s advice for a 16 year old

My young lad is currently doing his Gcse,s and will I think do okay.
Not thrilled about A levels as doesn't seem to keen to stay another two years doing subjects such as math,s etc.
So looking for recommendations if he heads down the college route,what are good options.
Its been suggested graphic design etc but I know nothing about it.
Expect the usual abuse but any advice would be helpful.

Miller 4:46 Wed May 25
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

Get a skill, any skill, is what I'd suggest. Always have something you can fall back on then if it's not not your main route to employment. Preferably something he loves and has a passion for, and ideally something unique.

straightuplazy 4:22 Wed May 25
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

My story might aid his decision, sorry to make this all about me, me, me.....

Failed GCSE math's (D) got pretty much C's across the rest of my subjects. Went to college to study a BTEC National Certificate in Engineering on the basis that I retook my maths GCSE (got a C on the second attempt). Studied computer aided design at college too during the evening. Sounds like I tried really hard, but I only scraped a Pass.

Left college and linked up with a Civil Engineering consultant as a CAD technician. Worked my way up into a couple of junior engineering roles after I found my feet and after 5 years decided to head to Uni.

Started Uni on a foundation engineering course and went straight into a BEng Civil degree. Uni changed me, I found a passion in a career that really interested me and I wanted to do as well as I could. Still not sure if it was my age that had the biggest effect or something else?

I have worked bloody hard over the last 5 years, going on placement every summer, christmas and easter break to the company that sponsored me and I am just about to graduate with a 1st in an MEng (Masters) Civil Engineering degree - I decided to stay on past the BEng.

Oh and to top that off, I have just been awarded national undergraduate of the year and am joining one of the biggest contractors in the world in a graduate role that has been created for me (not in civil engineering).

Rewind 10 years ago and I can see where you are coming from, my parents had no clue what to do with me. My message to your lad, put the effort in, its never too late and find something that you are truly passionate about. My message to you (dad) encourage him in whatever he decides to do.

mashed in maryland 3:48 Wed May 25
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

Chris Dawson, founder/owner of The Range and worth £1.65 billion, prides himself on not being able to read and write.

Lily Hammer 2:39 Wed May 25
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

Stats are weird, regarding graduates and non-graduates, because statistically, illiterate people are far more likely to become self made millionaires than literate people.

Go figure, as the cousins say.

Sussex_IRONS 2:39 Wed May 25
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

Get a trade and degree and then emigrate to Australia or Canada where he will have a better life.

mashed in maryland 2:35 Wed May 25
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

Those top 5 earning degrees... all engineering/maths based ain't they?

There are definitely pathways to degrees in engineering and heavy industry which don't follow the standard "a levels followed by 3 years at uni" method. Dunno if that article/study takes that into account.

And trust me, civil engineering is *NOT* for everyone.

westhammerer 2:17 Wed May 25
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

Graduates earn £500,000 more than non-graduates

Degrees still matter: graduates still enjoy more money and more career opportunities, says a report

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/11744118/Graduates-earn-500000-more-than-non-graduates.html

It's in the paper, so must be true.

It is not for everyone, and anecdotal evidence will always throw up exceptions, but I'd recommend it. I'd imagine it is quite a good lifestyle for 3 years as well. A coming of age-road-movie all in one.

overbyyer 12:12 Wed May 25
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

westhammerer wrote...

Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old
All the evidence says that graduates eventually go on to earn more than non-graduates.




I don't doubt that there are statistics out there that suggest this, but my experience has included interviewing graduates with Business degrees who have resorted to applying for positions such as Office Administrators, having already offset their earning potential with significant student debt.
Graduates are coming out now with at least 27k of debt, plus the additional debt of university living costs. That must be equivalent to the cost of a mortgage on a small house or flat in some parts of the country. So they graduate, have to lower their expectations of careers and earning potential but are already paying off significant amounts of debt - it hits about 100 a month for a 30k salary.

Ironically by opening up access to Higher Education, it has introduced elitism into the mainstream universities, as unremarkable students with rich parents get their debts settled during, or immediately after they graduate.

mashed in maryland 9:44 Wed May 25
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

You can be a "graduate" at any age though, it doesn't have to immediately follow schooling via A-levels.

Also it depends what you mean by "education". A lot of the most useful qualifications which can basically guarantee employment for the rest of your life generally come through work experience...

westhammerer 3:19 Wed May 25
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

All the evidence says that graduates eventually go on to earn more than non-graduates.

Plus they get three years playing around at Uni with gap years and all that.

And they get careers in directions they typically want. And they enjoy fulfilling what they feel is their vocation.

But some people are more suited to apprenticeships, etc.

My career advice to a 16 year old would be to not get a career. Just accumulate education.

Darlo Debs 2:58 Wed May 25
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

Don't know if its been said but a btec will get him into most uni's if he wants to keep his options open and I think they are a lot more vocational so might be more suitable.. Don't know if they do a graphic design one. They earn a bloody packet though, its what my cousin does, and her hubby.

afan 1:43 Wed May 25
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

Get a guitar and rock n roll

i-Ron 6:43 Tue May 24
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

Full Claret Jacket 2:28 Tue May 24
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

Mild Autism/Aspergers is required for this.

mashed in maryland 5:39 Tue May 24
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

overbuyer

I reckon, speaking completely logically, one of the best industries to get involved in is hair & beauty type stuff. Completely recession-proof (no matter the state of the economy women are still gonna find money to look good), it's creative and if you're good enough you can charge what you like.

Barbering and "male grooming" in general over the past few years has also proper come back as a speciality people are willing to pay decent money for... plenty of "old skool"-themed barbers near me charge £25+ a haircut/shave. These ain't poncey vidal Sassoon type places full of homosexuals but "spit & sawdust" looking gafs run by normal lads who give you a beer while you wait in line etc.

It's long hours and I'd guess very hard graft to get to the top but anyone looking at a career change could do a lot worse.

overbyyer 3:57 Tue May 24
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

If you are looking at something for the longer term, choose something that:

Can't be replicated (ie mass produced somewhere in Asia)

Can't be done virtually.

Cant be done remotely.

Can't be done by a robot.


When you apply those parameters you nearly always come back to a trade-type profession.

Anyone sat working in an office should be looking over their shoulder for ever increasing examples of the last three.

ElmParkPikey 3:17 Tue May 24
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

Drop some e's and smoke some whizz.

Ricky Bobby 2:44 Tue May 24
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

mashed in maryland 12:07 Tue May 24

In 15 years since leaving I have increased my salary by 350%

Full Claret Jacket 2:28 Tue May 24
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

The future for big money I believe is in IT related fields with Virtual reality and Artificial Intelligence. I know a few bright kids doing software development in those areas.

Having said that, should Brexit happen then there could be a massive demand in the UK for trades and the rates being pushed up as presumably work permits would be needed for these EU citizens working here.

The UK has become too lazy and reliant on cheap labour from overseas. There was a time when the majority of people did DIY and learnt the skills but these days it's deemed cheaper to give to a bloke people know who does cash in hand.

See if he can get some work experience doing something he is interested in and see where it leads. Sometimes the things we think would be good turn out boring or not as expected but there is nothing in life to say you need to stay in the same career all your life. You can take something from every job you do and everyone you meet.

mashed in maryland 12:07 Tue May 24
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

Wish I'd joined the Navy as a kid. Dunno a single person who's come out of it and not landed a decent career and doesn't look back on their time with happiness.

overbyyer 12:02 Tue May 24
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

Royal Navy - Paid to travel the world and drink loads of beer.



By the time the UK has a fleet back on the water the boy will be in his mid 30's with a wife and kids.

Ricky Bobby 10:57 Tue May 24
Re: career,s advice for a 16 year old

Royal Navy - Paid to travel the world and drink loads of beer

Well educated and disciplined which will hold him in good stead when he decides to leave!

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