crossroads - help needed

[doyle369]

I am at that point in my life where I dont no what to do and need to make a decision.

Abit about myself

I am 19 years old and live in Devon

I am currently at college studying Media studies and Travel and Tourism, bother together they are worth 3 A Levels.

I have 2 part time jobs, 1 is at a holiday park working in Burger King, quite enjoy it as it can be a laugh and it is rather easy.

My other job is working at a primary school looking after the kids at the After School Club. I enjoy this job.


My interests are Photography, Cars (cars that are modified in a smart way) and cleaning cars.


I have had a few thoughts about what to do after I finish.

One is to take a year out, earn some money, go travelling and generally just enjoy life whilst im young. Maybe whilst im taking this year out I will have a better understanding of what I want to do. But when that is over I will still be at the Cross roads.

The other option is to go Uni, but not this year, but next. So that means I would take the year out. But what to study at Uni? I dont have a clue.

The other option was to go to college and learn a trade, like plumbing etc. But I don't have a great interest in that, maybe learning it will change my thought. There are so many young people doing this sort of stuff and the market would be competitive.

I am going to Connextions tomorrow and having a talk with them, and see what they say, ill let you all know.

So any advice will be most helpful

 

[RedEvo]

I'd led to believe car detailing is a growing industry. Combine your hobby with a business perhaps.

d

 

[GillespieBS]

You are studying travel and tourism, a cloud of ash is constantly grounding airplanes and BA have just announced a series of strikes which inevitably will increase the price of air travel for some time. The pound and euro are struggling to hold any value and our political positon is uncertain.

I think there is a big market to promote, organise or sell UK holidays/staycations. Perhaps put your studies to good use?

 

[WPsites]

A year out sounds like a good idea but you can have a year out any time in your life.

Go to uni! You'll have a great time, make some life long friends, get a degree and have a 3 yr party!

You can only handle that much drinking when your young! If I went to uni now I would end up spending most days recovering from a hangover!

 

[Deleted member 9840]

One is to take a year out, earn some money, go travelling and generally just enjoy life whilst im young. Maybe whilst im taking this year out I will have a better understanding of what I want to do. But when that is over I will still be at the Cross roads.

This is the only choice you should consider.

There are beautiful Brazilian girls waiting to meet you in Brazil, there is a mountain to climb in Peru, some bulls to run with in Spain, in New Zealand there are some boiling springs to cook your freshly caught fish in, some Great Whites to swim with in South Africa and a few waves to catch in Hawaii.

If you don't do it now you never will.

Forget business for now, go and see the world while you can. (I wish I had..:redface

Steve

 

[doyle369]

Anymore advice

Thanks

 

[doyle369]

anyone? Thanks

 

[luvbusiness]

Watch the world cup in the pub

 

[directmarketingadvice]

One is to take a year out, earn some money, go travelling and generally just enjoy life whilst im young. Maybe whilst im taking this year out I will have a better understanding of what I want to do. But when that is over I will still be at the Cross roads.

The other option is to go Uni, but not this year, but next. So that means I would take the year out. But what to study at Uni? I dont have a clue.

IMO, of those two options, the first one is better.

You'll come back a changed person, so no real point planning too far ahead right now.

As for Uni, if you don't have a clear idea what you're going to do with your degree, don't bother. In the good old days, it was free and a good skive. Now you have to pay for it, it's not so much fun!

Steve

 

[luvbusiness]

If you like travelling go to thailand..costs about £600 to get there but cheap once there.

If you enjoy working in burger king why not try and get into mcdonalds and work your way up through their ranks..deputy manager store manager etc

 

[Jeff FV]

On the whole, I agree with Steve Cool - this may possibly be the only time in your life that you may have the opportunity to do this.

But, if you choose not to, here's another couple of options/thoughts:

You say you like working in the primary school - great! Many (independent) schools employ 'Gap Students' for a year who help out in all sorts of areas around school. Its hard work (but you get the long school holidays to go off & do something different), the pay may not be great, but you could expect free board & lodging, so the cash you make would be 'beer money.' You'd get to do a load of different things throughout the year, probably get more responsibility than most gap year jobs, and ultimately it'd look good on your CV. Given that you currently work with Primary age children, you may want to target 'Prep. Schools' who'se pupils typically range from age 4 to age 13. You could also apply to do a similar GAP year overseas - say Australia - and combining your travelling with the security of a home base/job.

If you do go to Uni - and aren't sure what to study - do something generic, like Maths, or History, or English, rather than specific - Tourism, Media Studies etc - as the former will open more doors for you than the latter.

Keep as many options open at all times - I'll bet you're not doing at 45 what you do (work wise) at 25.

Without wishing to sound patronising, with 2 part time jobs, taking the time to ask your question on this forum etc., you sound to me like a young man with drive, ambition and a positive work ethic and I wish you the very best, regardless of what you choose to do.

Good luck

Jeff

 

[doyle369]

Thanks for the replys so far

 

[doyle369]

anymore replys?

Thanks

 

[papverpoppies]

bump

cheers

Boring old fact - but non the less, only you know what you want to do!

If you have the confidence and it is something you really want to do, then travel and use that time to see what you really want to do with your life.

I had NO idea at your age what I wanted to do - that choice was made for me, and what a big mistake it was, I hated it.

The result being I messed around for several years, then moved away from home - I have since caught up with what I should have done years ago.

Did all of that make me loose out, I do not think so, you have to look farwards not backwards.

All I am saying, is do not let others really influence what you want to do.

Follow your instinct, perhaps it will not lead to a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but at least you made your own choices - and that counts for a lot.

It also all comes down to money - so put it all into the melting pot, and then see what your options are.

Good Luck

Poppy xx

 

[Christine Hough]

I advised both my sons to go to university only if they had a genuine apssion for their subject and learning and never to think of it as a way to a job.

Truly you have to weigh the costs and benefits of university, like all else in life.

One son decided against but is doing an OU degree while working and determined never to get into debt.
The other is studying neurosciece at Uni with passion and getting great results.

I am proud of both

 

[Dawg]

Go travelling. You will meet people who will broaden your horizons and you'll get laid, have fun and learn that a student loan for a smart car is about as necessary as genital warts.

Go for at least a year and then do Uni when you get back. Try for a (good) Uni which is nowhere near home so you form a new group of friends, choose a course that is not a made up Barby Dolls in the Media type crud, and try to do at least some work--a good-ish degree does help.

Anyone who can enjoy working at Burger King and an After School Club will probably do OK anyway, whatever the weather.

Good luck.