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I am genuinely lost on what to do in the future, i need help.

I finished university last month and if I am being honest it was the worse three years of my life. I hated it and despised every day. I hated the degree I studied also - BSc Economics.

I have no interest in any of the fields that the degree open doors to. The interest faded when I attended career talks and events and all it has done is gave me a check that this isn't for me.

I genuninely fear on what it is going to happen. I am in the real world and I do not have any skills and I do not know what to do.

People will tell me to do something that I am interested in - which is sports but I never once played for a club at a local level since my parents wanted me to focus on education and during my time at university I just focused on getting the work done.

Can anyone please let me know any ideas, websites or any work schemes that could help me attain skills and such.

I am also trying, I have found a few opportunities but I want to apply for more. Many thanks.

Reply 1

Original post
by S10age
I finished university last month and if I am being honest it was the worse three years of my life. I hated it and despised every day. I hated the degree I studied also - BSc Economics.
I have no interest in any of the fields that the degree open doors to. The interest faded when I attended career talks and events and all it has done is gave me a check that this isn't for me.
I genuninely fear on what it is going to happen. I am in the real world and I do not have any skills and I do not know what to do.
People will tell me to do something that I am interested in - which is sports but I never once played for a club at a local level since my parents wanted me to focus on education and during my time at university I just focused on getting the work done.
Can anyone please let me know any ideas, websites or any work schemes that could help me attain skills and such.
I am also trying, I have found a few opportunities but I want to apply for more. Many thanks.

Hi @S10age, that sounds so tough and it's completely okay to feel lost right now!

If you're interested in sports, there are lots of roles beyond being a player - sports marketing, coaching, data analysis, events journalism, or community work. You could look at getting a coaching qualification (e.g., through Sport England or your local FA), or even volunteering at a club or sports charity to build some experience and meet and connect with people in that space.

For building general skills and trying out other areas, sites like:

prospects.ac.uk - career profiles and "what can i do with my degree" guides

targetjobs, milkround, indeed - for grad schemes, internships, entry-level roles

your uni career page

volunteering matters or do it volunteering - for gaining experience and confidence

coursera/linkedin learning/futurelearn - for short courses and skill-building

You mentioned you're already applying to things - honestly amazing. There are paths out there that will suit you better. Don't be afraid to take time to explore and try new things. Rooting for you! Let me know if you have any questions.

Innaya,
MMU Student Rep x

Reply 2

Same situation as me. Went to university for three years and didn't enjoy it and I want to do something else not related to my degree. I know work retail, two years after graduating. Life's looking bleak but you keep going I guess.

Reply 3

What about working in like data/analytics for sports teams? Pretty niche but you could either start like a consultancy or work for them. It would tailor well to your degree (even though you didn't like it) but you might enjoy it more because it's actually an applied use of economics (in sports) which you like. Just saying if you wanted to go a more academic route - and it seems the best fit for your degree in economics

Reply 4

Original post
by isaac123444566
What about working in like data/analytics for sports teams? Pretty niche but you could either start like a consultancy or work for them. It would tailor well to your degree (even though you didn't like it) but you might enjoy it more because it's actually an applied use of economics (in sports) which you like. Just saying if you wanted to go a more academic route - and it seems the best fit for your degree in economics

That's genuinely a really good suggestion! Do this OP!

Reply 5

Original post
by Thisismyunitsr
That's genuinely a really good suggestion! Do this OP!

Haha thank you, what's your degree in?
(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 6

Why not look at roles in the Army, RAF or Navy since it appears that you enjoy physical sports. You may be surprised at the roles on offer. Not all roles are front line others are for HR, Logistics, Health & Safety etc. If you are suitable you join for specified period and get trained from scratch for the majority of roles. Not many employers offer such an opportunity. Plenty of you tube videos on military life and how to pass the interviews and physical tests. There have also been tv series on life in the Army, RAF and Navy etc. There are also careers centres throughout the country.

Reply 7

Original post
by isaac123444566
Haha thank you, what's your degree in?

It was in Film Production. I regret going everyday.

Reply 8

Original post
by Thisismyunitsr
It was in Film Production. I regret going everyday.

Oh right, have you not managed to get a job in film?

Reply 9

Original post
by isaac123444566
Oh right, have you not managed to get a job in film?

No because I work in a supermarket. I genuinely don't want to work in film despite completing a degree in the subject, similar to OP.

Reply 10

Original post
by Thisismyunitsr
No because I work in a supermarket. I genuinely don't want to work in film despite completing a degree in the subject, similar to OP.

Oh fine, really sorry to hear that. Do you have any interests?

Reply 11

Original post
by isaac123444566
Oh fine, really sorry to hear that. Do you have any interests?

Not really just want a normal job honestly. I did get onto a couple of grad schemes, one on a couple of occasions but nothing came of them.

Reply 12

Original post
by S10age
I finished university last month and if I am being honest it was the worse three years of my life. I hated it and despised every day. I hated the degree I studied also - BSc Economics.
I have no interest in any of the fields that the degree open doors to. The interest faded when I attended career talks and events and all it has done is gave me a check that this isn't for me.
I genuninely fear on what it is going to happen. I am in the real world and I do not have any skills and I do not know what to do.
People will tell me to do something that I am interested in - which is sports but I never once played for a club at a local level since my parents wanted me to focus on education and during my time at university I just focused on getting the work done.
Can anyone please let me know any ideas, websites or any work schemes that could help me attain skills and such.
I am also trying, I have found a few opportunities but I want to apply for more. Many thanks.

Just want to reflect that I found it impossible to get a graduate job in my degree skillset (leisure and business)30 years ago. It was really tough. I ended up temping for around 5 different companies which after about a year(18 months after graduating) turned out to be the way in to a great company and career into training and event management and then project management and then quality and change management. Your degree will have given you a set of transferable skills which may not be obvious to you at the moment but things like structuring an argument/justifying a decision, meeting deadlines/resolving issues and completing tasks, data analysis and evaluation, organising work, methodical and self motivation(there will be more!) are incredibly valuable to employers but not immediately obvious to the new graduate. Temping agencies were my way in but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it though its great as a short term measure to give you some experience and money. I would recommend looking at your council website as they have a range of jobs available and also any large local employer but don't stop at the headlines. if you see a job you are half interested in look at the person spec/job description and think laterally ie. could I do this given some training and support? then just go for it and remember a smile, some inner confidence and friendliness go a long way in an interview. If you want to investigate sport further then try the governing bodies of a few and don't restrict yourself to a particular sport, local leisure centres for admin roles (a foot in the door can lead to other opportunities)

Just to add one further thing, bit leftfield but have you thought about teaching, some great schemes to earn while you learn which you could explore, even if you didn't like it after a couple of years it gives you another qualification and set of experiences which will appeal to employers.

Its a tough time post graduation when you can't find or don't want a job in your main area of study but there will be something out there for you, cast your net wide. I absolutely feel for you, just keep going. Best of luck.

Reply 13

Original post
by squashedpanda
Just want to reflect that I found it impossible to get a graduate job in my degree skillset (leisure and business)30 years ago. It was really tough. I ended up temping for around 5 different companies which after about a year(18 months after graduating) turned out to be the way in to a great company and career into training and event management and then project management and then quality and change management. Your degree will have given you a set of transferable skills which may not be obvious to you at the moment but things like structuring an argument/justifying a decision, meeting deadlines/resolving issues and completing tasks, data analysis and evaluation, organising work, methodical and self motivation(there will be more!) are incredibly valuable to employers but not immediately obvious to the new graduate. Temping agencies were my way in but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it though its great as a short term measure to give you some experience and money. I would recommend looking at your council website as they have a range of jobs available and also any large local employer but don't stop at the headlines. if you see a job you are half interested in look at the person spec/job description and think laterally ie. could I do this given some training and support? then just go for it and remember a smile, some inner confidence and friendliness go a long way in an interview. If you want to investigate sport further then try the governing bodies of a few and don't restrict yourself to a particular sport, local leisure centres for admin roles (a foot in the door can lead to other opportunities)
Just to add one further thing, bit leftfield but have you thought about teaching, some great schemes to earn while you learn which you could explore, even if you didn't like it after a couple of years it gives you another qualification and set of experiences which will appeal to employers.
Its a tough time post graduation when you can't find or don't want a job in your main area of study but there will be something out there for you, cast your net wide. I absolutely feel for you, just keep going. Best of luck.

Excellent post. Thank you for making it.

Reply 14

Original post
by S10age
I finished university last month and if I am being honest it was the worse three years of my life. I hated it and despised every day. I hated the degree I studied also - BSc Economics.
I have no interest in any of the fields that the degree open doors to. The interest faded when I attended career talks and events and all it has done is gave me a check that this isn't for me.
I genuninely fear on what it is going to happen. I am in the real world and I do not have any skills and I do not know what to do.
People will tell me to do something that I am interested in - which is sports but I never once played for a club at a local level since my parents wanted me to focus on education and during my time at university I just focused on getting the work done.
Can anyone please let me know any ideas, websites or any work schemes that could help me attain skills and such.
I am also trying, I have found a few opportunities but I want to apply for more. Many thanks.

Thanks everyone for the advices. I will see what I can do. As I finished uni right now I am applying for some entry role level jobs in retail and leisure for the time being but i will take in your advice to see what I can do in the long run

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