Future BA English Graduate very very stuck!!
Hello,
So I'm currently an English Student at Queen Mary University, about to enter into my third year, and I've started to realise I'm absolutely terrified and confused about my post-graduation plans. I was wondering if anyone has any advice about the following issues:
So, firstly, whilst I don't have any desire to drop out of my current university degree, I am starting to question it's usefulness post graduation. I am watching fellow English students in the year above me graduate, and no one seems to be choosing pathways that interest me. Whilst I adore the subject, I am realising very quickly that choosing a BA in English, as opposed to a STEM degree (which I had the option to study with A-Levels in Maths and Physics also) has massively limited my post-graduate opportunities and earning potential. Realistically, what options are open to me as an English graduate, if I was to go straight from my degree into a career?
I feel that I'm not fully sure at this stage of my dream career, but I do know that I am massively interested in areas of international development, human rights and charity. However, I have been completely unable to find many oppurtunities in these areas that pay well enough for me to continue living comfortably away from home. I would love with all my heart to gain some experience in charities once I have graduated, but it seems like an impossible feat without the financial means to volunteer, which I of course will not have once I finish university. Is anyone aware of any lesser known oppurtunities in these areas that may be open to me next year?
Finally, being forced to consider these options has made me wonder whether it would be worthwhile to continue studying onto an masters programme or retrain all together. The problem with this, however, is once again I don't necessarily have the financial means to continue life as a student. In terms of a masters, my only options are to a) move home and study in Manchester b) study part time alongside working elsewhere. My parents have confirmed that the only financial help they'd be willing to provide is one year of free accommodation if I was to move home. Otherwise, it would be on me to fund any studies I chose to do. So I suppose my questions in this instance are am I entitled to any help as someone who will have gained one degree if I chose to study another? Is it possible to work enough to survive as a part time masters student (specifically in London, as I would love to stay here)?
Before anyone leaves any mean responses, I'm aware that the answers to a lot of these questions are available online, but I'm struggling to sort through the ridiculous amounts of career websites, university websites etc. I would love for some real people who may have been in a similar position to me to just let me know what they chose to do and how they dealt with any of the above issues or trouble that I'm having! I'm starting to feel incredibly lost.
So I'm currently an English Student at Queen Mary University, about to enter into my third year, and I've started to realise I'm absolutely terrified and confused about my post-graduation plans. I was wondering if anyone has any advice about the following issues:
So, firstly, whilst I don't have any desire to drop out of my current university degree, I am starting to question it's usefulness post graduation. I am watching fellow English students in the year above me graduate, and no one seems to be choosing pathways that interest me. Whilst I adore the subject, I am realising very quickly that choosing a BA in English, as opposed to a STEM degree (which I had the option to study with A-Levels in Maths and Physics also) has massively limited my post-graduate opportunities and earning potential. Realistically, what options are open to me as an English graduate, if I was to go straight from my degree into a career?
I feel that I'm not fully sure at this stage of my dream career, but I do know that I am massively interested in areas of international development, human rights and charity. However, I have been completely unable to find many oppurtunities in these areas that pay well enough for me to continue living comfortably away from home. I would love with all my heart to gain some experience in charities once I have graduated, but it seems like an impossible feat without the financial means to volunteer, which I of course will not have once I finish university. Is anyone aware of any lesser known oppurtunities in these areas that may be open to me next year?
Finally, being forced to consider these options has made me wonder whether it would be worthwhile to continue studying onto an masters programme or retrain all together. The problem with this, however, is once again I don't necessarily have the financial means to continue life as a student. In terms of a masters, my only options are to a) move home and study in Manchester b) study part time alongside working elsewhere. My parents have confirmed that the only financial help they'd be willing to provide is one year of free accommodation if I was to move home. Otherwise, it would be on me to fund any studies I chose to do. So I suppose my questions in this instance are am I entitled to any help as someone who will have gained one degree if I chose to study another? Is it possible to work enough to survive as a part time masters student (specifically in London, as I would love to stay here)?
Before anyone leaves any mean responses, I'm aware that the answers to a lot of these questions are available online, but I'm struggling to sort through the ridiculous amounts of career websites, university websites etc. I would love for some real people who may have been in a similar position to me to just let me know what they chose to do and how they dealt with any of the above issues or trouble that I'm having! I'm starting to feel incredibly lost.
Original post by els1997
........
Use your university careers centre. They've got all the advice just sitting there.
The list of things you can't do with an English degree is much smaller than the list of things you can do.
Original post by threeportdrift
Use your university careers centre. They've got all the advice just sitting there.
The list of things you can't do with an English degree is much smaller than the list of things you can do.
The list of things you can't do with an English degree is much smaller than the list of things you can do.
Hi, sorry, I've realised I missed that little bit of information of out my post. I'm aware I can ask for help at my careers centre, and I have! I have an appointment booked over the coming weeks. However, I would like to get as much information as possible, hence writing this post so that I could possibly get some help from people who've actually been in my position or similar.
It'll be tough, I imagine. I study one of the most employable degrees at a top uni, am hot on the careers stuff, did an internship etc, and I have significant concerns about the future!
There are specialised fields like engineering and medicine that require corresponding degrees, but most career opportunities only require a degree, regardless of what you studied. If you're intelligent, personable, and can demonstrate interest, there's no reason you couldn't do any number of these things.
I'm no pro at advising english students, but you do need to get on this yesterday, which you do seem to be doing! Talk to your fellow students and see what they think, talk to those who have graduated about what they've done, and do a tonne of research about what to do next. This careers stuff is actually more important than your studies, which unfortunately most students don't realise.
There are specialised fields like engineering and medicine that require corresponding degrees, but most career opportunities only require a degree, regardless of what you studied. If you're intelligent, personable, and can demonstrate interest, there's no reason you couldn't do any number of these things.
I'm no pro at advising english students, but you do need to get on this yesterday, which you do seem to be doing! Talk to your fellow students and see what they think, talk to those who have graduated about what they've done, and do a tonne of research about what to do next. This careers stuff is actually more important than your studies, which unfortunately most students don't realise.
Original post by els1997
Whilst I adore the subject, I am realising very quickly that choosing a BA in English, as opposed to a STEM degree (which I had the option to study with A-Levels in Maths and Physics also) has massively limited my post-graduate opportunities and earning potential. Realistically, what options are open to me as an English graduate, if I was to go straight from my degree into a career?
You are not in the same position as the average English graduate with regards to grad schemes as having maths A level opens some doors and probably helps a lot with aptitude tests. As noted above there are a huge range of options.
What were you considering doing as a masters?
Original post by els1997
Hello,
So I'm currently an English Student at Queen Mary University, about to enter into my third year, and I've started to realise I'm absolutely terrified and confused about my post-graduation plans. I was wondering if anyone has any advice about the following issues:
So, firstly, whilst I don't have any desire to drop out of my current university degree, I am starting to question it's usefulness post graduation. I am watching fellow English students in the year above me graduate, and no one seems to be choosing pathways that interest me. Whilst I adore the subject, I am realising very quickly that choosing a BA in English, as opposed to a STEM degree (which I had the option to study with A-Levels in Maths and Physics also) has massively limited my post-graduate opportunities and earning potential. Realistically, what options are open to me as an English graduate, if I was to go straight from my degree into a career?
I feel that I'm not fully sure at this stage of my dream career, but I do know that I am massively interested in areas of international development, human rights and charity. However, I have been completely unable to find many oppurtunities in these areas that pay well enough for me to continue living comfortably away from home. I would love with all my heart to gain some experience in charities once I have graduated, but it seems like an impossible feat without the financial means to volunteer, which I of course will not have once I finish university. Is anyone aware of any lesser known oppurtunities in these areas that may be open to me next year?
Finally, being forced to consider these options has made me wonder whether it would be worthwhile to continue studying onto an masters programme or retrain all together. The problem with this, however, is once again I don't necessarily have the financial means to continue life as a student. In terms of a masters, my only options are to a) move home and study in Manchester b) study part time alongside working elsewhere. My parents have confirmed that the only financial help they'd be willing to provide is one year of free accommodation if I was to move home. Otherwise, it would be on me to fund any studies I chose to do. So I suppose my questions in this instance are am I entitled to any help as someone who will have gained one degree if I chose to study another? Is it possible to work enough to survive as a part time masters student (specifically in London, as I would love to stay here)?
Before anyone leaves any mean responses, I'm aware that the answers to a lot of these questions are available online, but I'm struggling to sort through the ridiculous amounts of career websites, university websites etc. I would love for some real people who may have been in a similar position to me to just let me know what they chose to do and how they dealt with any of the above issues or trouble that I'm having! I'm starting to feel incredibly lost.
So I'm currently an English Student at Queen Mary University, about to enter into my third year, and I've started to realise I'm absolutely terrified and confused about my post-graduation plans. I was wondering if anyone has any advice about the following issues:
So, firstly, whilst I don't have any desire to drop out of my current university degree, I am starting to question it's usefulness post graduation. I am watching fellow English students in the year above me graduate, and no one seems to be choosing pathways that interest me. Whilst I adore the subject, I am realising very quickly that choosing a BA in English, as opposed to a STEM degree (which I had the option to study with A-Levels in Maths and Physics also) has massively limited my post-graduate opportunities and earning potential. Realistically, what options are open to me as an English graduate, if I was to go straight from my degree into a career?
I feel that I'm not fully sure at this stage of my dream career, but I do know that I am massively interested in areas of international development, human rights and charity. However, I have been completely unable to find many oppurtunities in these areas that pay well enough for me to continue living comfortably away from home. I would love with all my heart to gain some experience in charities once I have graduated, but it seems like an impossible feat without the financial means to volunteer, which I of course will not have once I finish university. Is anyone aware of any lesser known oppurtunities in these areas that may be open to me next year?
Finally, being forced to consider these options has made me wonder whether it would be worthwhile to continue studying onto an masters programme or retrain all together. The problem with this, however, is once again I don't necessarily have the financial means to continue life as a student. In terms of a masters, my only options are to a) move home and study in Manchester b) study part time alongside working elsewhere. My parents have confirmed that the only financial help they'd be willing to provide is one year of free accommodation if I was to move home. Otherwise, it would be on me to fund any studies I chose to do. So I suppose my questions in this instance are am I entitled to any help as someone who will have gained one degree if I chose to study another? Is it possible to work enough to survive as a part time masters student (specifically in London, as I would love to stay here)?
Before anyone leaves any mean responses, I'm aware that the answers to a lot of these questions are available online, but I'm struggling to sort through the ridiculous amounts of career websites, university websites etc. I would love for some real people who may have been in a similar position to me to just let me know what they chose to do and how they dealt with any of the above issues or trouble that I'm having! I'm starting to feel incredibly lost.
Woah! Deep breath. No, don't drop out! Whether or not your Eng Lit degree is more or less useful than a STEM one isn't the relevant question at this stage. The one that is, is whether it would be more or less useful than not having a degree, to which I can confidently answer 'yes'. Believe it or not, this should be a super-exciting time for you. I'll PM you in a sec.
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