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I am so proud, ....... I think

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mhall

mhall

Free Member
Sep 8, 2009
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My daughter has grown up in our business- working the till from the age of eight on a Saturday.

She is now finishing her A levels and is thinking about University. She told me last night that she wanted a "gap year" before she went.

Not to go backpacking around the world or even to sit in her room all day. She wants to open a shop for a year so she won't be lumbered with a huge debt (she assumes success, bless her). She says if it doesn't work she will have learnt, and if it does she can go to Uni after putting a Manager in to run it for her.

Her Dad is happy - he is not a fan of University at the best of times. I am proud - I think. Have we created a true Retailer ?
 
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Congratulations. Sounds like you have raised a decent human being, rather than a useless layabout. Quite an achievement these days.:)

Not sure opening a shop for a year is a good idea. There are loads of small businesses she could start which could make her 20 - 30 grand in the first year without the need for stock, leases, and all that nonsense.
 
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Great idea, not a fan of university myself however it's a great idea. Hopefully it works out and not lumbered with debt from a shop and university.
 
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Stretchy said:
Not sure opening a shop for a year is a good idea. There are loads of small businesses she could start which could make her 20 - 30 grand in the first year without the need for stock, leases, and all that nonsense.
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I am sure there are, but Retail is a "in the blood" thing - and stock, leases and nonsense are what makes it all the more exciting. :)
 
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mhall said:
I am sure there are, but Retail is a "in the blood" thing - and stock, leases and nonsense are what makes it all the more exciting. :)
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I'm not sure exciting is what she should be looking for. Surely the easiest risk free way of paying her way through University would be the best way to go?

From what I read on this forum, retail seems to be a tough way to scrape a living. :)

Anyway I agree, you should definitely be proud.
 
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I think its great - retail isn't easy but what a great experiance and Mhall is one of the more successful retailers here so I think her daughter will do great :)
 
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Stretchy said:
There are loads of small businesses she could start which could make her 20 - 30 grand in the first year without the need for stock, leases, and all that nonsense.
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what - what kind of things? Just being curious and nosey all I have ever known is retail :)
 
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emmylou74 said:
what - what kind of things? Just being curious and nosey all I have ever known is retail :)
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Hard to say without knowing more about specific skills etc. I started a gardening business that kept my bills paid whilst I was at University. I ended up employing staff to do the work, and made a decent living. I sold the business (for a small sum) to an employee after I finished studying. I still do all the marketing for it now.
 
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You as parents should be really proud, but from personal experience, there is little money in retail right now....too much hassle, IMO not worth the aggro for the money - does your daughter have skills instead that could be developed into a business?
 
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herewegoagain. said:
You as parents should be really proud, but from personal experience, there is little money in retail right now....too much hassle, IMO not worth the aggro for the money - does your daughter have skills instead that could be developed into a business?
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She has many skills (of course, I would say that).

Retail is not just about the money (if it was we would have closed many years ago) I think Retail gives you a strong work ethic, an understanding of people and a true grounding in every aspect of life. She has seen many tears as well as joys over the years and has covered every aspect of Retail. I know I am biased but she has the attitude that I would love in an employee but she does not want to make someone else wealthy on the back of her skills - (even me, it would seem :p)

Retail has given us a good standard of living for many years, but we have earned every penny and she has witnessed it. I would be very dissapointed if she did anything just for the money. There is no greater business than Retail in my opinion and if she decides to go down that route at least she will do so from a position of strength. She is a true Retailer, not a shopkeeper, and that is what gives her, as it does us, the edge.
 
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Stretchy said:
I'm not sure exciting is what she should be looking for. Surely the easiest risk free way of paying her way through University would be the best way to go?

From what I read on this forum, retail seems to be a tough way to scrape a living. :)

Anyway I agree, you should definitely be proud.
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anything that is the "easiest risk free way" is so NOT her !!:D

(I was just going to say that easy and risk free is not her, but that doesn't sound right coming from her Mum and I would have to explain "easy" and "risk free" on two very different levels - oh bugger, I've got myself in a cul-de-sac now:D ! )
 
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mhall said:
anything that is the "easiest risk free way" is so NOT her !!:D

(I was just going to say that easy and risk free is not her, but that doesn't sound right coming from her Mum and I would have to explain "easy" and "risk free" on two very different levels - oh bugger, I've got myself in a cul-de-sac now:D ! )
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I did have a joke lined up for this reply, but don't fancy spending my next 5 posts digging myself out of a hole.

Ill just say I wish her every success with whatever she decides to do.
 
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Good on her.

However, university is not just about the obtaining of a degree but about the transformation of an individual from one phase of life into another. There should be missed essays, hangovers, days in bed, rushed projects, through the night revision and elation at managing to pull it all off when only hours previously it seemed impossible.

Unless you do something daft like kite flying or go to a crap poly cum institute, the cost is immaterial and just a small notch on the bedpost of life.
 
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NickJ said:
What subject is she looking to read?
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Because of the shops and the things her Dad has talked to her about she has always been interested in psychology, The issues she has is that she doesn’t want child psychology and neither is she interested in criminal. She thinks everyone does the former and she considers the latter to be just a popular television choice.
She wants to really study business psychology and everything around it, but is having problems finding a place that doesn’t concentrate on the two mentioned and has had quite a few mini heated discussions with lecturers about why psychology study is rarely shown in a business model past the marketing angle.
She is more than capable of transferring the learning into a business setting but she wants a lecturer that understands her needs, and understands business and is not prepared to settle for less. I must admit I smile when her first question to the lecturer is “Have you experience of running a business?” – knocks them off guard straight away. She wants and needs a lecturer that can challenge her but is also happy to be challenged and is happy to give her leeway to explain her thoughts and reasons. So far she has found only people that have “read a book”, sometimes “written a book”.
Never having been to Uni myself (and I did all right:)), I have no idea how it all works so may well be hearing her wrong. Her Dad went and says the experience is ok, but nothing special and certainly not worth the money now (and he considers his MBA to stand for "Means Bugger All" ). Thankfully he is just supporting her and letting her decide.
 
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mhall said:
Because of the shops and the things her Dad has talked to her about she has always been interested in psychology, The issues she has is that she doesn’t want child psychology and neither is she interested in criminal. She thinks everyone does the former and she considers the latter to be just a popular television choice.
She wants to really study business psychology and everything around it, but is having problems finding a place that doesn’t concentrate on the two mentioned and has had quite a few mini heated discussions with lecturers about why psychology study is rarely shown in a business model past the marketing angle.
She is more than capable of transferring the learning into a business setting but she wants a lecturer that understands her needs, and understands business and is not prepared to settle for less. I must admit I smile when her first question to the lecturer is “Have you experience of running a business?” – knocks them off guard straight away. She wants and needs a lecturer that can challenge her but is also happy to be challenged and is happy to give her leeway to explain her thoughts and reasons. So far she has found only people that have “read a book”, sometimes “written a book”.
Never having been to Uni myself (and I did all right:)), I have no idea how it all works so may well be hearing her wrong. Her Dad went and says the experience is ok, but nothing special and certainly not worth the money now (and he considers his MBA to stand for "Means Bugger All" ). Thankfully he is just supporting her and letting her decide.
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A strong minded lady and good for her! Good also to hear that peer pressure seems more like very helpful support.

I wonder if she should look overseas for such a course of study, perhaps America where they are massively for business and the teachings of. Of coure the other option perhaps is to ignore Uni completely and to immerse herself into business herself and to forge ahead with a 2-4 year advantage over her age group. Sounds like she has the makings of a very successful individual either way! You have every right to be proud :)
 
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mhall said:
Because of the shops and the things her Dad has talked to her about she has always been interested in psychology, The issues she has is that she doesn’t want child psychology and neither is she interested in criminal. She thinks everyone does the former and she considers the latter to be just a popular television choice.
She wants to really study business psychology and everything around it, but is having problems finding a place that doesn’t concentrate on the two mentioned and has had quite a few mini heated discussions with lecturers about why psychology study is rarely shown in a business model past the marketing angle.
She is more than capable of transferring the learning into a business setting but she wants a lecturer that understands her needs, and understands business and is not prepared to settle for less. I must admit I smile when her first question to the lecturer is “Have you experience of running a business?” – knocks them off guard straight away. She wants and needs a lecturer that can challenge her but is also happy to be challenged and is happy to give her leeway to explain her thoughts and reasons. So far she has found only people that have “read a book”, sometimes “written a book”.
Never having been to Uni myself (and I did all right:)), I have no idea how it all works so may well be hearing her wrong. Her Dad went and says the experience is ok, but nothing special and certainly not worth the money now (and he considers his MBA to stand for "Means Bugger All" ). Thankfully he is just supporting her and letting her decide.
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Has she looked at the OU? She may be able to mix and match to get what she wants there.
 
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Your daughter certainly sounds exceptional.

My advice would be for her to avoid psychology as a degree subject - if she is interested in business psychology then do a business degree, and read up on business psychology on her own terms, and/or do the masters afterwards as suggested.

I studied psychology as part of my degree, and whilst it is an interesting subject, I would doubt that it has much relevance to the sort of career your daughter sounds like she will forge.

There are lots of psychology graduates out there, competing against others with more attractive degrees.

Simply by going to university and mixing with lots of different types of people she will develop a wider mind and broader range of experiences to draw on, whichever path she chooses.

Don't forget she is still relatively young, and whilst strong minded, is perfectly capable of changing her mind. If she obtains a very flexible degree such as business she will have many more options open to her.
 
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mhall said:
I must admit I smile when her first question to the lecturer is "Have you experience of running a business?" - knocks them off guard straight away.
Click to expand...

Good luck with that - what is the saying? Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach :redface:
 
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I agree with John Orcus....

The main thing is plenty of options. So if she did the uni thing, then for her to keep her hand in business on the side - she is obviously going to have a lot of knowledge and experience.

Plus the economy is supposed to start picking up slightly in 2013 and in 2014 take off a bit more, so she shouldn't be in the position a lot of kids are in now where they cant get jobs.

I think she will be in a position of strength using all she has and knows.

sounds like she has a running start anyhow in whatever she does.
 
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Hello mhall,

My daughter took a year out before her degree in dance/performing arts and used the time to aquire fitness qualifications -to teach aerobics and pilates to the other students and in fitness centres. She also took a nail technicians course to offer this also to students, whilst taking any part time employment (tanning salon receptionist) that would fit around the courses. This was as a way of earning her way through Uni as I (widowed +3 children) could not afford to subsidise her.

She now has her own Dance Studio, also hired out to other users plus a dance wear shop.
She doesn't really use the BA but did in the early days as she worked in schools teaching dance, organising performances and also as a general teaching assitant, whilst the dance school became establish.

She could now do with having the knowledge that a business degree would have given her (we as a family have no experience of retail or business) and to be honest, she could probably earn as much in schools.

I agree that a degree gives options and unlike Alevels, I don't think it becomes redundant over time.

However! The only caution is that if your daughter's one year business venture was at all successful, it could divide her focus, as running a business is, as you know, even with a manger, far more time consuming than simply being employed would be.

She sounds like an exceptional person who deserves to do well. I wish her good luck and am sure that she will succeed in whatever she puts her mind to especially with the support of her deservedly proud mum and dad :)

Regards
Hunnie
 
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I can't really comment on retail, but I do know a bit about education.

As a rule of thumb, my first recommendation would be to (if possible) go to a Russell Group University.

Not all degrees are created equal - a degree in just about any subject from the one of these uni's will trump a degree from almost anywhere else (Oxbridge excepted.)

One of the advantages of taking a GAP year is that you can apply to uni once you know your A-Levels, rather than relying on predictions. If I were secretary of state for education one of the three things I'd do would be to shift the uni start time to January, meaning that everyone would apply to Uni once they had their results, but that's a whole other thread. Sorry for going off on a tangent, but my final piece of advice would be to make sure that your daughter does go to uni after her year off.

Best wishes

J
 
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Yes... indeed an exciting time.

I'll add my voice to those who say that University is a fantastic experience. The best years of most graduates' lives. The freedom of youth, spent with thousands of other similar people... and as a bonus, you also pick up valuable education too - and a network of lifelong friends, some of whom will probably be useful in your professional life too.

Worth every penny.

Also.. the advice to think carefully about the subject is good. There are certainly degree courses that are essentially: "Business with Psychology" which sound like they might tick many of the boxes... and IMO much more useful for her.
 
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The only psychology I'd consider worth merit for someone starting out would be PPE if she can get into Oxbridge or at least the Russell Group.

I am also a strong advocate of a gap year. Get away from the parents and survive on your own for a bit before hitting university like a wet nosed fresher and your outlook is just so much more advanced than your marginally younger classmates.
 
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The only psychology I'd consider worth merit for someone starting out would be PPE if she can get into Oxbridge or at least the Russell Group.

I am also a strong advocate of a gap year. Get away from the parents and survive on your own for a bit before hitting university like a wet nosed fresher and your outlook is just so much more advanced than your marginally younger classmates.

Sorry but I'm not an advocate of the gap year. This may perhaps relate to my working class origins! My father left school at 14 and my mother at 15 but both were very supportive of my ambition to go to university. But they'd have been horrified if I'd wanted to spend a year messing about with round the world travel or whatever before going to university. Something such as properly earning your own living for a year would have been different but not just floating about.

But then I lived in a different era with different job opportunities as long as you were prepared to take them on. I had my first paid for job aged 14 - just a couple of hours twice a week helping with an after school play centre for children in a deprived area - a job I got via my school. Then aged 15 to 17+ I worked as a Saturday Girl (and occasionally as holiday cover in school holidays too) in British Home Stores. I didn't like the job but I liked having money of my own and I learned a lot from it and matured while doing it. I think I matured more and learned more through those two jobs + the job in a department store in the summer before going to university + the odd volunteer role than most young people do via the gap year thing. Where I'd think the gap year does work is where the young person is focused and volunteering full time for a charity or devoting themselves to developing some talent.

I feel I was more mature at 18 and off to university (and obviously matured more while at university) than some of the students/graduates who come looking for volunteer roles in my business these days in the hope of building up their CV. I think that one of the issues was that though my relatively cash strapped parents tried to help me, overall I had to make a success of university as obviously they could not support me indefinitely thereafter.

I'm a baffled by your down on psychology degrees. I made a good living out of mine one way or another over some decades as did many of my fellow graduates. As it happened I wanted to be a professional psychologist and I went on to fulfil that aim, later aged 45 I took it into my head to run my own business and did so but found my psychology degrees more than helpful in that new role. Whatever degree you have it does depend a lot on your attitude to your qualifications and your ability to sell the specific ingredients in your qualification to future employers.
 
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