Is it worth going to uni at 21 with no clear idea what career I want in the end?
Just looking for some advice. Finished college at 18 and have been working in retail and fast food until I decided what I wanted to do. I've tried applying for some apprenticeships however I wasn't successful at the interview stage. Now I just feel like I'm stuck working dead end jobs.
Since I haven't had any success getting an apprenticeship I'm considering going to uni. The main thing holding me back from uni is that I'm not sure if it's even worth doing if I don't have a clear idea of what career I want in the end.
Since I haven't had any success getting an apprenticeship I'm considering going to uni. The main thing holding me back from uni is that I'm not sure if it's even worth doing if I don't have a clear idea of what career I want in the end.
Reply 1
It's still not too late, everyone has their own circumstances so some people go later when they can.This might sound stupid but you can take a quiz online to see what you like and what career you might want to get to. If you have enjoyed working in retail and you would like to work at a senior level you could maybe do the graduate scheme after uni, in Aldi/Lidl you could easily be +50k. A lot of jobs/grad schemes don't require a specific degree.
You don't necessarily need a clearer career idea now than "aiming for a career level graduate job". More importantly though, do you have a clear intellectual interest in a specific subject area you can do a degree in?
Reply 3
20
Original post
by AnonymousJust looking for some advice. Finished college at 18 and have been working in retail and fast food until I decided what I wanted to do. I've tried applying for some apprenticeships however I wasn't successful at the interview stage. Now I just feel like I'm stuck working dead end jobs.
Since I haven't had any success getting an apprenticeship I'm considering going to uni. The main thing holding me back from uni is that I'm not sure if it's even worth doing if I don't have a clear idea of what career I want in the end.
Since I haven't had any success getting an apprenticeship I'm considering going to uni. The main thing holding me back from uni is that I'm not sure if it's even worth doing if I don't have a clear idea of what career I want in the end.
There are several Unis that have 'Foundation' style courses specifically for people in your situation, and they usually cover multi-subjects and therefore are good if you dont know exactly which degree etc you are aiming for. Examples:
CertHE Foundation Years | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol
Degrees with a foundation year | Education | The University of Sheffield
Reply 4
Original post
by AnonymousJust looking for some advice. Finished college at 18 and have been working in retail and fast food until I decided what I wanted to do. I've tried applying for some apprenticeships however I wasn't successful at the interview stage. Now I just feel like I'm stuck working dead end jobs.
Since I haven't had any success getting an apprenticeship I'm considering going to uni. The main thing holding me back from uni is that I'm not sure if it's even worth doing if I don't have a clear idea of what career I want in the end.
Since I haven't had any success getting an apprenticeship I'm considering going to uni. The main thing holding me back from uni is that I'm not sure if it's even worth doing if I don't have a clear idea of what career I want in the end.
I personally, wouldn't advise going to uni and racking up all the debt without a clear idea of what you want to go into. You only get one chance and the funding. Many 'generic' degrees are easy to get into, and don't leave you in any better position at the end (management criminology, business etc). It's a hell of a lot of debt to get into in the hope that inspiration will hit and the course is aligned.
So I'd say don't rush into anything this year, consider a 2026 entry. Then spend this year doing a thorough and honest appraisal of your personal characteristics, what you are good at, what motivates you and make sure you make the right choice of university or not, and which course. Key to that is testing yourself in different situations, so take up a sport, to some volunteering, take up a group hobby etc and find out more about yourself.
Reply 5
Original post
by AnonymousJust looking for some advice. Finished college at 18 and have been working in retail and fast food until I decided what I wanted to do. I've tried applying for some apprenticeships however I wasn't successful at the interview stage. Now I just feel like I'm stuck working dead end jobs.
Since I haven't had any success getting an apprenticeship I'm considering going to uni. The main thing holding me back from uni is that I'm not sure if it's even worth doing if I don't have a clear idea of what career I want in the end.
Since I haven't had any success getting an apprenticeship I'm considering going to uni. The main thing holding me back from uni is that I'm not sure if it's even worth doing if I don't have a clear idea of what career I want in the end.
Hey,
It's great to hear that you're thinking about your future prospects. I went to University for the first time at 19, and I found that it wasn't quite for me as I hadn't taken the time to really think about which course I wanted to do. In fact, I only really thought about the career I wanted to do beyond, but then found I didn't feel passionate enough about the subject to learn and get there. I withdrew after just a few weeks, and this did lead to some financial struggle as I then owed the SLC for my short time there.
I then went back to university at 20, having taken another year out, to do a course that I knew I would really enjoy. So on that side of things, I would definitely recommend having a good think about what may interest you for the time you are there and also potentially lead to a future career.
Don't feel as though you have to rush - even if you apply for entry next year, at least you have an end date in mind of the jobs that you have been doing that you aren't quite enjoying. I know in both my gap years, I really disliked the jobs that I was working in, but knowing that they were a means to an end before uni made them more bearable.
It is an expensive three years and then you need to repay the loan afterwards as others have said, so this is definitely something to bear in mind. I didn't know exactly what career I wanted to do in the future, sometimes I still don't, but going to university in itself has been such a rewarding experience and has opened doors that I never even thought of. It is a great opportunity to network, to try new things, to grow in confidence and social skills - overall making you more employable in the future. A degree in itself, regardless of subject, looks strong on a job application as it is evidence you have worked hard and committed yourself to something for three years and beyond.
Overall, I'd say definitely take the time to think about it, the above are a few of my insights. I took a gamble and went to university hoping it would give me more of an idea of where I wanted to go. Even though I'm still not certain, I have more of an idea now than when I did before starting, and my degree will help me to get where I want to go.
Consider your options, and I wish you all the best for the future.
Millie
Lancaster University Student Ambassador
Reply 6
Original post
by AnonymousJust looking for some advice. Finished college at 18 and have been working in retail and fast food until I decided what I wanted to do. I've tried applying for some apprenticeships however I wasn't successful at the interview stage. Now I just feel like I'm stuck working dead end jobs.
Since I haven't had any success getting an apprenticeship I'm considering going to uni. The main thing holding me back from uni is that I'm not sure if it's even worth doing if I don't have a clear idea of what career I want in the end.
Since I haven't had any success getting an apprenticeship I'm considering going to uni. The main thing holding me back from uni is that I'm not sure if it's even worth doing if I don't have a clear idea of what career I want in the end.
Hi,
This is such a valid concern to have! University ultimately isn't for everyone, and it's difficult to tell whether it will be the right fit for you.
There are a few steps you can take, however, to ensure that you're making the right decision.
First, i'd reccommend making a list of all of the things that you enjoy doing, and feel like you're good at. Then, from that list, look up if there are any careers available in a related field, and then explore them, and look at how a degree can help you achieve these goals.
Then, once you've done that, look to see if there are any courses that are structured in a way you like. Often, universities will offer a foundation year, which will allow you to gain an extra year of experience at university, and will set you up well for the course ahead of you.
It is important to consider, though, the other side of the coin for this one. The unavoidable truth of the situation is that university is going to be a really expensive endeavour, and will require you to take out a student loan. I'd reccommend having a look into exactly what the repayment rate will be, and evaulating whether that's something that seems plausible for you, or not.
It is true that many jobs do require a degree, or some form of qualification to get into it, but it's also important to not be pressured into pursuing one due to the opinions/percieved opinions of others.
All the best,
Amy (Lancaster Student Ambassador)
Reply 7
Original post
by artful_loungerYou don't necessarily need a clearer career idea now than "aiming for a career level graduate job". More importantly though, do you have a clear intellectual interest in a specific subject area you can do a degree in?
Original post
by AnonymousThere's a few subjects I've considered doing. But yes, I do have an interest in them. I wouldn't wanna go for the sake of it to study something I don't even have an interest in
I think if you have a clear idea of your intellectual interests (and are satisfied these are genuine interests and not constructed interests due to perceived career outcomes) that's perfectly reasonable to pursue those even if you don't have a crystal clear idea of what you're doing afterwards.
Most graduates go onto jobs unrelated to their degree subject and most graduate employers don't care what (or often, where) you studied. So as long as you do actively make a point of doing things to make yourself employable in the end (getting work experience/internships, taking on committee/leadership roles in societies etc to develop transferable skills, otherwise making the most of the resources available to you at uni to network and explore career sectors) it's fine to go with the general idea that you want to move up from the kinds of roles you're currently in and figuring out the exact direction can be part of the process of your degree.
Based on personal experience I think the often held up ideal of knowing exactly what you want to do in the end and picking the degree to get to that and going through it as a tick box exercise is not the best approach - because you may well realise your idealised concept of the end result may not meet up with reality, and you might find trying to get through the degree quite hard if you don't have a genuine interest in it absent whatever career associations it may or may not have!
Since you do have a couple different areas of interest though what you should do now is actively try and confirm which is your principal area of interest - do wider reading of academic texts (not just reading around on the internet "about" the subject - that is fine as an initial point but you need your confirmatory activities to mirror what you might be doing on that actual degree to see if you want to do that for several years!), consider your strengths and weaknesses in terms of what kinds of learning best suit you, what types of assessment you succeed in and how these are reflected (or not) in those subject areas at degree level, and based on this narrow down to the particular course which is best suited to your interests and strengths
Reply 9
UPDATE: I really appreciate the advice everyone has given here. I've decided I won't be enrolling into university this year since this was a bit of a last minute idea I had and I don't want to rush into it. If I return to education this year I'll most likely do an Access to HE course and then start either uni or a degree apprenticeship next year. Once again thank you all for your advice.
Reply 10
Original post
by getdat9sIt's still not too late, everyone has their own circumstances so some people go later when they can.This might sound stupid but you can take a quiz online to see what you like and what career you might want to get to. If you have enjoyed working in retail and you would like to work at a senior level you could maybe do the graduate scheme after uni, in Aldi/Lidl you could easily be +50k. A lot of jobs/grad schemes don't require a specific degree.
Reply 11
Original post
by Lancaster Student AmbassadorHey,
It's great to hear that you're thinking about your future prospects. I went to University for the first time at 19, and I found that it wasn't quite for me as I hadn't taken the time to really think about which course I wanted to do. In fact, I only really thought about the career I wanted to do beyond, but then found I didn't feel passionate enough about the subject to learn and get there. I withdrew after just a few weeks, and this did lead to some financial struggle as I then owed the SLC for my short time there.
I then went back to university at 20, having taken another year out, to do a course that I knew I would really enjoy. So on that side of things, I would definitely recommend having a good think about what may interest you for the time you are there and also potentially lead to a future career.
Don't feel as though you have to rush - even if you apply for entry next year, at least you have an end date in mind of the jobs that you have been doing that you aren't quite enjoying. I know in both my gap years, I really disliked the jobs that I was working in, but knowing that they were a means to an end before uni made them more bearable.
It is an expensive three years and then you need to repay the loan afterwards as others have said, so this is definitely something to bear in mind. I didn't know exactly what career I wanted to do in the future, sometimes I still don't, but going to university in itself has been such a rewarding experience and has opened doors that I never even thought of. It is a great opportunity to network, to try new things, to grow in confidence and social skills - overall making you more employable in the future. A degree in itself, regardless of subject, looks strong on a job application as it is evidence you have worked hard and committed yourself to something for three years and beyond.
Overall, I'd say definitely take the time to think about it, the above are a few of my insights. I took a gamble and went to university hoping it would give me more of an idea of where I wanted to go. Even though I'm still not certain, I have more of an idea now than when I did before starting, and my degree will help me to get where I want to go.
Consider your options, and I wish you all the best for the future.
Millie
Lancaster University Student Ambassador
It's great to hear that you're thinking about your future prospects. I went to University for the first time at 19, and I found that it wasn't quite for me as I hadn't taken the time to really think about which course I wanted to do. In fact, I only really thought about the career I wanted to do beyond, but then found I didn't feel passionate enough about the subject to learn and get there. I withdrew after just a few weeks, and this did lead to some financial struggle as I then owed the SLC for my short time there.
I then went back to university at 20, having taken another year out, to do a course that I knew I would really enjoy. So on that side of things, I would definitely recommend having a good think about what may interest you for the time you are there and also potentially lead to a future career.
Don't feel as though you have to rush - even if you apply for entry next year, at least you have an end date in mind of the jobs that you have been doing that you aren't quite enjoying. I know in both my gap years, I really disliked the jobs that I was working in, but knowing that they were a means to an end before uni made them more bearable.
It is an expensive three years and then you need to repay the loan afterwards as others have said, so this is definitely something to bear in mind. I didn't know exactly what career I wanted to do in the future, sometimes I still don't, but going to university in itself has been such a rewarding experience and has opened doors that I never even thought of. It is a great opportunity to network, to try new things, to grow in confidence and social skills - overall making you more employable in the future. A degree in itself, regardless of subject, looks strong on a job application as it is evidence you have worked hard and committed yourself to something for three years and beyond.
Overall, I'd say definitely take the time to think about it, the above are a few of my insights. I took a gamble and went to university hoping it would give me more of an idea of where I wanted to go. Even though I'm still not certain, I have more of an idea now than when I did before starting, and my degree will help me to get where I want to go.
Consider your options, and I wish you all the best for the future.
Millie
Lancaster University Student Ambassador
Thanks a lot for this reply. I've decided that if I go uni I'll go next year.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Offered an alternative course
- Is it worth doing a Biomedical Science degree that isn't IBMS accredited?
- University Course Help
- Any help?
- Investment Banking / S&T best career route? PLEASE HELP!!
- 3 Facilitating A-level passes + EPQ... but low grades (help)
- Retake or uni?
- age 20, meant to take my a levels privately in 2 days but going to fail-need advice!
- what do I do if I'm dissatisfied with my uni choices?
- NTU or Oxford Brookes?
- Worried for the future when it comes to choosing University Courses
- Is uni worth it?
- really confused about what to do next
- Career change… teaching?
- Uni Courses
- applying to one university but 2 different courses
- Social anxiety, uni and feeling confused about the future
- unsure about studying finance or chemistry at uni
- Unconditional offer - urgent help needed please :(
- a-level options
Latest
Trending
Last reply 3 months ago
Laptop vs iPad for universityLast reply 3 months ago
living away from home for university- pros / cons, advice ?University life
15
15
Last reply 3 months ago
Should I Appeal an Academic Misconduct Finding at a UK University?Last reply 3 months ago
Will I be an outcast in uni if I don’t use social media?University life
14
14
Articles for you
How The Student Room is moderated
To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.
