No idea what do do at uni. Suggestions?

OP

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll have a think :smile:

Reply 8

OP

And no, I didn't mean going into a job to earn 40k off the bat. As I said, in the long run (over a lengthy period of time, working up the ranks). I don't know what to do at uni because I was equally good at everything, but to those who suggested medicine due to my Biology grade, I'm not clever enough for med school, I'm just the average joe who could be bothered to revise. :smile:

Reply 9

Alexandra's Box

17

Original post by Dr Dr

And no, I didn't mean going into a job to earn 40k off the bat. As I said, in the long run (over a lengthy period of time, working up the ranks). I don't know what to do at uni because I was equally good at everything, but to those who suggested medicine due to my Biology grade, I'm not clever enough for med school, I'm just the average joe who could be bothered to revise. :smile:

Go to UCAS course search, enter the name of your favoutite subject and LOTS of related courses appear. Even if you don't want to go to uni they might inspire job paths!

Reply 10

OP

Original post by littleeggy

Hi there,

Is earning over £40K the only criteria? What about your interests? It really isn't that difficult to earn over £40k in most competitive careers so you might want to narrow your search to what you enjoy.

From the looks of your A levels you have done well in health and social care and Biology. Perhaps something in the Health sector? But I think you really need to have a strong desire to help people and enjoy the biological sciences which you probably do given your A levels.

I know a guy who did Biology at university but he now workds for Ernst and Young as consultant. Another friend did languages - German and Russian and now works for Delloite as a trainee accountant. Another friend studied Maths and Physics and is now working as a trainee fund manager at a Bank - Investec. Another friend took Maths and now works in HR project management. Another friend did a History degree and is working in marketing.

From this list you can probably see that the degree doesn't tend to lead into a specific career...

I'm not sure about the health sector. Yes, I did pick 2 science subjects, and I did do moderately well in them, but I enjoyed Sociology the most. Do you know of any careers that would compliment say a Masters in Sociology, leading to about 40k after a few years in the business? I know people say I shouldn't worry about the amount of money I earn, but I don't want to earn an 'average' amount of money because I could get a job that pays the national average without wasting the lat 2 years of my life, revising for 3 hours a day :smile:

. I honestly can't see myself being happy earning less than 40,000 after a few years, but I would enjoy studying Sociology, even though it isn't considered a 'respected' degree.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 11

OP

Original post by Alexandra's Box

Go to UCAS course search, enter the name of your favoutite subject and LOTS of related courses appear. Even if you don't want to go to uni they might inspire job paths!

Thanks, I'll try that!

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 12

jelly1000

21

Original post by Dr Dr

I'm not sure about the health sector. Yes, I did pick 2 science subjects, and I did do moderately well in them, but I enjoyed Sociology the most. Do you know of any careers that would compliment say a Masters in Sociology, leading to about 40k after a few years in the business? I know people say I shouldn't worry about the amount of money I earn, but I don't want to earn an 'average' amount of money because I could get a job that pays the national average without wasting the lat 2 years of my life, revising for 3 hours a day :smile:

. I honestly can't see myself being happy earning less than 40,000 after a few years, but I would enjoy studying Sociology, even though it isn't considered a 'respected' degree.

Posted from TSR Mobile

you've only done one science subject which most universities would count- thats biology. and if you think you'd enjoy Sociology go for it, several respected unis offer it. Or maybe consider Anthropology?

You don't necessarily need to go for a degree that leads to a particular job.

Reply 13

poony

2

With your GCSE results, do look at university requirement closely especially for top uni. e.g. many uni. ask for A grade for GCSE Maths if you fancy science subject or B in English for humanity.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 14

OP

Original post by jelly1000

you've only done one science subject which most universities would count- thats biology. and if you think you'd enjoy Sociology go for it, several respected unis offer it. Or maybe consider Anthropology?

You don't necessarily need to go for a degree that leads to a particular job.

I'll have a look into it. :smile:

Reply 15

OP

Original post by poony

With your GCSE results, do look at university requirement closely especially for top uni. e.g. many uni. ask for A grade for GCSE Maths if you fancy science subject or B in English for humanity.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Oh yes, I know that's stopping me from being accepted into top universities :smile:

. The best unis I could go to due to my average GCSE grades would be somewhere like Exeter, Bath, Surrey etc.

They're all in the top 10 for Sociology though, so I'm sure I'd have a good time there :smile:

Reply 16

i.am.lost

18

Original post by littleeggy

Perhaps something in the Health sector?

Other than becoming a doctor/dentist, it's actually fairly difficult for NHS health professionals to get to £40k as they need to reach band 8 (manager/consultant level).

Reply 17

catoswyn

15

Original post by Dr Dr

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll have a think :smile:

I think maybe you could divide it into sections and research them to see if they interest you.

1. Social sciences. Either directly related such as BA Social Policy at Bristol or in related areas such as Anthropology/Archaeology or you could also consider psychology given your A level subjects.

2. A broad degree such as Exeter's 'flexible combined honours' or their new liberal arts degree (or Birmingham university's Science and Liberal Arts degree) gives you a chance to keep your options broader and create a 'major' later. The same is true if you go to a Scottish university which takes four years and usually allows you to try more subjects in the first and second year before deciding.

3. Science courses. Anything from biological science to marine biology.... lots out there.

4. Health professions. Again there are a lot of different courses and opportunities from nursing to opthalmics. Clinical Psychology is also an option.

5. Any one of your A level studies could be carried on to degree level.

6. Do something completely different... journalism, law, political science....

7. Geography related... archaeology/anthropology (again!), geology, mining....

Try to work out your personality and interests. Read some course details and see which appeal to you and that will start to narrow things down... Out of interest some courses name Geography as an acceptable second 'science'. If there is a reason why your GCSE's are lower than might have been expected then top universities have 'extenuating circumstances' forms that can be requested. They have to be requested by your school/college though. Also these types of issues can be covered in your reference if you spoke to your referee.

Good luck,

:smile:

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 18

poony

2

Original post by Dr Dr

Oh yes, I know that's stopping me from being accepted into top universities :smile:

. The best unis I could go to due to my average GCSE grades would be somewhere like Exeter, Bath, Surrey etc.

They're all in the top 10 for Sociology though, so I'm sure I'd have a good time there :smile: