Dilemma over job/re-training

[lindylou53]

Thanks for all replies - think I'm gonna advise her to go for it -she just needs to decide whether to go for Open Uni option and keep working or to leave her job and be a 'proper' full-time student. As someone once said - you regret the things you don't do rather than the things you do!

 

---------- Post added 10-01-2018 at 18:36 ----------

 

Hi Lindylou, she might be eligible for one of the new pathways into becoming a registered nurse, would that interest her? If so, send me a PM and I’ll give you a number to ring so she can get the ball rolling.

 

Apart from that - education is never wasted on those with the right motivation!

 

Thanks for the info but unfortunately she definitely doesn't want to go down the nursing route - in fact she wants to leave NHS!

 

---------- Post added 10-01-2018 at 18:38 ----------

 

Open university maybe? She'll need to be dedicated though.

 

Can the NHS offer further training? I know they used to but I'm going back quite a lot of years. One point, do her siblings have jobs connected to the degrees they've got?

 

Her older brother got his job because of his placement year in industry. Older sister - her degree was definitely useful but not mandatory for her present job.

[Love2print]

If your daughter has always drawn, painted, done computer based graphic design as a hobby, then there's nothing stopping her setting up part time in addition to her substantive job.

 

She just needs to get out there to some print/design houses with her portfolio to see if these places need any additional help on a casual basis business to business.

 

If not then she would need to build a portfolio. It is possible to get a graphic Design job without a formal education, if I remember right this guy did: https://www.youtube.com/user/ceklewis But he did have a portfolio and if I remember right this was in London.

 

However, I would guess that it is more difficult as you would need to teach yourself.

 

Design agencies often hire freelancers but as a freelancer you might be expected to be experienced/work on your own. So there may not be much in the way of junior freelancing work.

 

I'm currently doing a Graphic Design Top-Up Degree, I have a HND in Graphic Design. I can get student loan to cover tuition fees and living costs. But living costs aren't any extra than what a normal student would get (I don't get anything extra for child costs for example). I get £8000 ish because I'm no longer living with my parents. https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/new-fulltime-students

 

 

It is also cheaper, about £6000 a year, tuition fees because I'm studying through The Sheffield College. The course is accredited by Sheffield Hallam but the college run it. Through Sheffield Hallam itself it would be over £9000 a year.

 

The Open University is another option, cheaper and she could do it around work.

 

It has been hard for me, I have two small children 3 and 5. I just can't commit the same amount of time I did when I was doing the HND in my teens. If she is going to do it and wants children (assuming she does not have them as you have not mentioned it) then doing it now before she has them will make things easier.

[Jomie]

Lindylou - why do you feel that you should advise your daughter? She is old enough to make her own decisions. By all means discuss the matter and offer support but leave the final decision to her. She also needs to discuss this with her partner, not least because of the financial consequences.

 

Her current job is an extremely useful one and she is making a difference to people’s lives. I am not sure that the same can be said of the other option but she will perhaps think about that herself. Degrees are not everything and many useful lives have been lived without the benefit of further education. From what you say, she is an intelligent, sensible lady who will hopefully do well in whatever path she chooses to take.

Edited January 11, 2018 by Jomie

[lindylou53]

Lindylou - why do you feel that you should advise your daughter? She is old enough to make her own decisions. By all means discuss the matter and offer support but leave the final decision to her. She also needs to discuss this with her partner, not least because of the financial consequences.

 

Her current job is an extremely useful one and she is making a difference to people’s lives. I am not sure that the same can be said of the other option but she will perhaps think about that herself. Degrees are not everything and many useful lives have been lived without the benefit of further education. From what you say, she is an intelligent, sensible lady who will hopefully do well in whatever path she chooses to take.

 

Because she asked me for my advice! Isn't that part of a parent's job even when kids are grown up? I wouldn't give advice unless I was asked for it but sometimes it can be helpful when we can see things from the different perspective that experience and age can give. That's not to say that they have to take any notice!

[rollwithit]

Because she asked me for my advice! Isn't that part of a parent's job even when kids are grown up? I wouldn't give advice unless I was asked for it but sometimes it can be helpful when we can see things from the different perspective that experience and age can give. That's not to say that they have to take any notice!

 

List the options available to her. But the ultimate decision is hers.

She is at the that age for take responsibility for her own future.

Of course, being a parent, you never stop being there to catch them.

[Guest]

she regrets that decision and is thinking of re-training and getting a degree - possibly in a different subject.

 

It may help if you say what degree your daughter is thinking of doing as this could impact upon any advice/opinions.

[lindylou53]

It may help if you say what degree your daughter is thinking of doing as this could impact upon any advice/opinions.

 

Criminology/psychology.

 

Looks like she is going to stick with her job for now. Talk of 2 year degrees in future so she might have a re-think then.

[willman]

Its difficult to ascertain what suits other individuals i did a teaching degree and then got a job in sales and never used the degree in anger.

 

Just anecdotally my niece took a psychology degree, of the group of 5 who were friends and we see at weddings,christenings etc not one has got a job that required a degree.

[tinfoilhat]

Criminology/psychology.

 

Looks like she is going to stick with her job for now. Talk of 2 year degrees in future so she might have a re-think then.

 

The longer she leaves it the harder it would be Id imagine. Did she have a job in mind after she got her degree (I know the short answer would be criminologist or psychologist but the only psychology graduate I know stacks shelves in sainsburys).

[lindylou53]

The longer she leaves it the harder it would be Id imagine. Did she have a job in mind after she got her degree (I know the short answer would be criminologist or psychologist but the only psychology graduate I know stacks shelves in sainsburys).

 

That was part of the problem - she didn't really have a specific job in mind. Anyway - seems like she's made her decision now!