What should I do? 26 year old
Just looking for advice really.
I'm 26 with no qualifications other than CCD at A level (ICT, English Lang and Business Studies), taken in 2009.
Keep getting stuck in dead end retail jobs with nothing to show for it. They're not confidence building and i just feel out of place, working with people who go to uni or will be, or older people who's partner brings in the income.
I'm too old for an apprenticeship now so i'm totally at a loss of what to do and how to make decent money, or at least on a career ladder.
No career excites me massively, so if i went to uni i'd probably study a broad subject which would most likely result in a job. Such as business and marketing.
Feel like i'm getting older and running out of time. Before i know it ill be 30 in the same situation if i dont take action. Its making me depressed and unmotivated.
Has anyone been in the same situation and what did you do?
I'm 26 with no qualifications other than CCD at A level (ICT, English Lang and Business Studies), taken in 2009.
Keep getting stuck in dead end retail jobs with nothing to show for it. They're not confidence building and i just feel out of place, working with people who go to uni or will be, or older people who's partner brings in the income.
I'm too old for an apprenticeship now so i'm totally at a loss of what to do and how to make decent money, or at least on a career ladder.
No career excites me massively, so if i went to uni i'd probably study a broad subject which would most likely result in a job. Such as business and marketing.
Feel like i'm getting older and running out of time. Before i know it ill be 30 in the same situation if i dont take action. Its making me depressed and unmotivated.
Has anyone been in the same situation and what did you do?
Original post by jackhaugh
There are no age limits to apprenticeships. Have a look at degree apprenticeships in your area, they're bringing a lot out in Business Management. I'm starting mine with Barclays in Sept, and you get chartered management status with a lot of them.
Over aged 25 the government don't help fund the studies for the business, so barely any businesses offer apprenticeships for over 25's,
start a business!
Original post by ALittleLost25
... i'm totally at a loss of what to do and how to make decent money, or at least on a career ladder.
No career excites me massively,
... i'm totally at a loss of what to do and how to make decent money, or at least on a career ladder.
No career excites me massively,
That's the source of your problem, and spending £40k on going to Uni from that position is a massive risk. You need to review your skills and interests, and you have to combine them, ie consider both skills AND interests. Picking just one ie 'I've only got retail experience, it has to be that even though I hate it' or 'Oooh, I always wanted to be a brain surgeon, it's my complete passion and I know I'd be brilliant at it even though I faint at the sight of blood' is just useless.
When you've identified a career sector (not necessarily as specific entry job, or a specific destination job) then start to look at whether qualifications or experience are the best way to enter that sector.
Don't spend £40k getting a weak degree with no plan on how to leverage anything out of the end of it.
There are a few ways out of it.
1. Identify a vocational interest you've had (whether it's electrical/plumbing work, or becoming a chef, or even something as far out as working on a fishing boat) and develop those skills through apprenticeship programmes and employment schemes and such.
2. Do some sort of Foundation entry programme into a more general degree pathway, or Access Course. Advanced Learner Loans exist for your exact circumstance.
But what we don't know is "what are you both good at, and interested in?" I suppose the best way to find out is to basically see how you do self-teaching a few interesting subjects, and discard the ones that are absolutely no chance until you've got a general idea.
If you're good at IT, programming is a good direction. If you're good at physics and maths, engineering's not bad. If you're good at biology and have a great interest in helping people, OT/nursing/medicine are decent career directions. If you find yourself best at tutoring your friends, then you might be a good teacher (as long as enhanced DBS doesn't show anything bad and you're okay with managing unruly behaviour, or work with older kids)
If academia's not for you and vocational work doesn't seem like your cup of tea, then you might want to be entrepreneurial and try your hand at e-commerce. And if worse comes to worst, you can always work on farms for room and board.
1. Identify a vocational interest you've had (whether it's electrical/plumbing work, or becoming a chef, or even something as far out as working on a fishing boat) and develop those skills through apprenticeship programmes and employment schemes and such.
2. Do some sort of Foundation entry programme into a more general degree pathway, or Access Course. Advanced Learner Loans exist for your exact circumstance.
But what we don't know is "what are you both good at, and interested in?" I suppose the best way to find out is to basically see how you do self-teaching a few interesting subjects, and discard the ones that are absolutely no chance until you've got a general idea.
If you're good at IT, programming is a good direction. If you're good at physics and maths, engineering's not bad. If you're good at biology and have a great interest in helping people, OT/nursing/medicine are decent career directions. If you find yourself best at tutoring your friends, then you might be a good teacher (as long as enhanced DBS doesn't show anything bad and you're okay with managing unruly behaviour, or work with older kids)
If academia's not for you and vocational work doesn't seem like your cup of tea, then you might want to be entrepreneurial and try your hand at e-commerce. And if worse comes to worst, you can always work on farms for room and board.
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by Rather_Cynical
There are a few ways out of it.
1. Identify a vocational interest you've had (whether it's electrical/plumbing work, or becoming a chef, or even something as far out as working on a fishing boat) and develop those skills through apprenticeship programmes and employment schemes and such.
2. Do some sort of Foundation entry programme into a more general degree pathway, or Access Course. Advanced Learner Loans exist for your exact circumstance.
But what we don't know is "what are you both good at, and interested in?" I suppose the best way to find out is to basically see how you do self-teaching a few interesting subjects, and discard the ones that are absolutely no chance until you've got a general idea.
If you're good at IT, programming is a good direction. If you're good at physics and maths, engineering's not bad. If you're good at biology and have a great interest in helping people, OT/nursing/medicine are decent career directions. If you find yourself best at tutoring your friends, then you might be a good teacher (as long as enhanced DBS doesn't show anything bad and you're okay with managing unruly behaviour, or work with older kids)
If academia's not for you and vocational work doesn't seem like your cup of tea, then you might want to be entrepreneurial and try your hand at e-commerce. And if worse comes to worst, you can always work on farms for room and board.
1. Identify a vocational interest you've had (whether it's electrical/plumbing work, or becoming a chef, or even something as far out as working on a fishing boat) and develop those skills through apprenticeship programmes and employment schemes and such.
2. Do some sort of Foundation entry programme into a more general degree pathway, or Access Course. Advanced Learner Loans exist for your exact circumstance.
But what we don't know is "what are you both good at, and interested in?" I suppose the best way to find out is to basically see how you do self-teaching a few interesting subjects, and discard the ones that are absolutely no chance until you've got a general idea.
If you're good at IT, programming is a good direction. If you're good at physics and maths, engineering's not bad. If you're good at biology and have a great interest in helping people, OT/nursing/medicine are decent career directions. If you find yourself best at tutoring your friends, then you might be a good teacher (as long as enhanced DBS doesn't show anything bad and you're okay with managing unruly behaviour, or work with older kids)
If academia's not for you and vocational work doesn't seem like your cup of tea, then you might want to be entrepreneurial and try your hand at e-commerce. And if worse comes to worst, you can always work on farms for room and board.
Rather_Cynical has come up with some Rather_Good advice. I'd say alongside that, as long as you can present yourself as a 'youthful' and fresh mind, to say potential employers etc, there really is no need to worry about age until it's a question of physical ability. It's much more important to experiment and find an enjoyable field that will give you a brighter future.
It might be an idea to try and find work/volunteer/poke around areas related to the subjects you mentioned (and anything else you think might be fun or interesting) to find out if it's really for you. That's what I did myself. I tried all sorts of things like Graphic Design, and Insurance Brokering. At the same time I developed an interest in the language processes of the brain and so I began volunteering in a primary school and then became a Special Educational Needs teaching assistant there. I was actually given a number of chances to progress further along that career path, without the need to go to Uni, but by then I had confirmed what direction I wanted to go in life.
I then applied to study Linguistics and Advanced Japanese at Uni, and got in just by showing them all the things I had done since after I left sixth form that's led me to them. Now I've just finished my first year of Uni with a first. Not bad for someone who's 28 and left sixth form with a C,D, and E!
You need to find out what does excite you in life and then find the career within that. I was a care worker in my 20s. Wasn't going anywhere fast, At 25 I picked up a camera and fell in love. I quite my job, built up a portfolio, went to college at 27 to study media production, found out I wasn't half bad...They then begged me to apply to University. I went to University, at 28, and graduated last year with a 1st honours degree just before my 30th birthday. They employed me to work on the course for 1 year and this year August my year is up. I've just received a place at a university to do my masters and I'll specialise in film directing. During this time I've also won a couple film awards and prizes and had international and European film screenings. I'll be 32 next month. I still never done any A-levels and I have very broadline GCSE's, plus I didn't know I was dyslexic until I was 28. It's never too late to find out what you truly love in life and to go for it. Don't settle for just doing it for the money...you'll never really live a day in your life.
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by ALittleLost25
Has anyone been in the same situation and what did you do?
Has anyone been in the same situation and what did you do?
Last year I was in your shoes, I've been constantly working dead-end jobs since leaving school with only one GCSE worth mentioning. Only difference is I've always known what I've wanted to do (study psychology and work with children/research) but didn't really believe that I had any options to get into it.
Last year, I enrolled with the Open Uni after seeing their advert and had lengthy discussions about my options and funding etc. I started with an Access Course to test the waters and I'm now starting my BSc (Hons) in Psychology this October.
It's a long road, but it means my dead-end jobs are worth sticking at for the time being while I get on the path to where I want to be.
I'm not sure how much help that is to you but maybe it's worth looking into distance learning, working and studying is two birds with one stone?
Original post by Alison4689
Last year I was in your shoes, I've been constantly working dead-end jobs since leaving school with only one GCSE worth mentioning. Only difference is I've always known what I've wanted to do (study psychology and work with children/research) but didn't really believe that I had any options to get into it.
Last year, I enrolled with the Open Uni after seeing their advert and had lengthy discussions about my options and funding etc. I started with an Access Course to test the waters and I'm now starting my BSc (Hons) in Psychology this October.
It's a long road, but it means my dead-end jobs are worth sticking at for the time being while I get on the path to where I want to be.
I'm not sure how much help that is to you but maybe it's worth looking into distance learning, working and studying is two birds with one stone?
Last year, I enrolled with the Open Uni after seeing their advert and had lengthy discussions about my options and funding etc. I started with an Access Course to test the waters and I'm now starting my BSc (Hons) in Psychology this October.
It's a long road, but it means my dead-end jobs are worth sticking at for the time being while I get on the path to where I want to be.
I'm not sure how much help that is to you but maybe it's worth looking into distance learning, working and studying is two birds with one stone?
What makes you think a psychology degree will allow you to work with children and do research lol
Original post by JamesManc
What makes you think a psychology degree will allow you to work with children and do research lol
Dat hairline doe
Original post by ALittleLost25
Just looking for advice really.
I'm 26 with no qualifications other than CCD at A level (ICT, English Lang and Business Studies), taken in 2009.
Keep getting stuck in dead end retail jobs with nothing to show for it. They're not confidence building and i just feel out of place, working with people who go to uni or will be, or older people who's partner brings in the income.
I'm too old for an apprenticeship now so i'm totally at a loss of what to do and how to make decent money, or at least on a career ladder.
No career excites me massively, so if i went to uni i'd probably study a broad subject which would most likely result in a job. Such as business and marketing.
Feel like i'm getting older and running out of time. Before i know it ill be 30 in the same situation if i dont take action. Its making me depressed and unmotivated.
Has anyone been in the same situation and what did you do?
I'm 26 with no qualifications other than CCD at A level (ICT, English Lang and Business Studies), taken in 2009.
Keep getting stuck in dead end retail jobs with nothing to show for it. They're not confidence building and i just feel out of place, working with people who go to uni or will be, or older people who's partner brings in the income.
I'm too old for an apprenticeship now so i'm totally at a loss of what to do and how to make decent money, or at least on a career ladder.
No career excites me massively, so if i went to uni i'd probably study a broad subject which would most likely result in a job. Such as business and marketing.
Feel like i'm getting older and running out of time. Before i know it ill be 30 in the same situation if i dont take action. Its making me depressed and unmotivated.
Has anyone been in the same situation and what did you do?
Hey there. I was in your place. I had no GCSEs and had to study them first and then I've just studied an Access to HE Diploma and I'll begin university in September to study Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies. Languages are my passion and I had an interest in learning them before I pursued education as an older student. So, have a goal in mind and stick to it. Really ask yourself which job you would be happy doing and then look at degrees and what they entail and hopefully you will come to a decision. Any questions please ask.
Until you decide on a career path no one can really help you
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by JamesManc
What makes you think a psychology degree will allow you to work with children and do research lol
It's the module pathway I'm taking.
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