Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Course advice! Please?

For about 2 years i've wanted to be a child psychologist but after getting accepted for uni this year to study education psychology, i withdrew my application. This was due to healtn reasons (i have a disability and i'm sorting out medication so not the right time to leave home) and i want to be positive it's the right career path as i know post grad/doctorate level is incredibly competitive, plus i'm 20 so probably wouldn't be in a career till i'm around 30. I'd be worried about even getting the career due to the competitiveness but it is something i've wanted to do.The other careers i'm consiering is midwifery or nursing, to do a post grad too which wouldn't take as long and before my disability i wanted to be a midwife for quite a long time and i got it in my head i wouldn't be able to cope. The reasons i'm put off is the hours, i love family time and want that work/life balance and the pay especially now the bursaries are gone... i know there's so many avenues you can go in nursing and i can imagine it to be incredibly rewarding which is what i want in my career. Problem with me applying for nursing is that i have no science a level. The third is social work, i love love love sociology, i would specialise in child protection. I know it's a similar salary to nursing and i know it's meant to be 9-5 but that alot of social workers end up doing more hours than contracted and that it's becoming less face to face and more paperwork and you can do less for the people that need help. I like the fact the hours are more structured than nursing but i also hear there's less promotion avenues and the burn out rate and stigma is immense.Any one have any advice or can tell me of their own experience? I'm taking a gap year to get some experience this year but i keep chopping and changing my mind between all 3. Sorry if i rambled but i really am at a loss. Thanks if you read that far!😁

Reply 1

username1884577

Do psychology. Don't settle. I'll be 20 next year when I go to uni, and like you won't be qualified until I'm at least 30.

Reply 2

bethy2601

Original post by A-LJLB

Do psychology. Don't settle. I'll be 20 next year when I go to uni, and like you won't be qualified until I'm at least 30.

Yeah i don't want to settle! I'm just worried about not being financially stable till i'm 30 😂 plus i may not even get in. I guess there is always the option of going into nursing if i was getting nowhere in applying for a doctorate. I guess i do have a few months to decide for sure till i have to apply. Glad you're pursuing what you want to do!