Career Advice - 19yr old daughter
Discussion
Long term PH'er posting with new account to garner some opinion, perspective and maybe open a door or two!
Our daughter is at a bit of a crossroads, and is flip flopping with 'what to do next' .....
Background.
- she is 19 (20 in Nov) and is currently enjoying her Gap year
- university place accepted, starting Sept. 2025 to study Zoo Biology (3yrs)
- original career goal was to work in some area of marine biology / conservation / ecology (she imagined travelling the warm oceans in a bikini
)
- during her Gap Year, she has travelled across Kenya with 2 female friends and volunteered at many places - schools / animal conservation etc.
- after arriving home from Kenya, she has had many trips within Europe expanding her mind and outlook
- she is 'very' personable, attractive, confident and capable - although I maybe slightly biased, we know from independent feedback that she stands out,
shines in any social situation and has 'IT' (whatever that is)
- in between travels, she has worked at local GP practices on front desk and also supporting doctors with admin duties. Again, she has proven to be very
capable and has quickly been given more repsonsibilities than many long serving team members. Basically managing the day to day.
- she has also worked many part time jobs since the age of 15/16 years old in hospitality (restaurants) - not work shy
Current position.
- she is now questioning whether she really wants to do the University degree, and has changed views on future career goals
- this has been driven in no small part by (a) getting a glimpse of the big wide world and opportunities, (b) some of her friends who have been at Uni for
almost 1yr and will now be dropping out, and (c) the cost of a Uni degree, which doesn't guarantee future career prospects / earnings.
- we have advised that Uni is not all about enhancing career prospects, but also personal growth. However, it is clear that she has already achieved the
personal growth and is way in advance of some of her friends in this area.
- she feels that full time employment is probably the best path for her, and she wants to get going NOW and start to grow a career.
What to do ???
- as parents, we will obviously support her in whatever she chooses, including financially to reduce Uni fees or staying at home.
- she is open to travel and see's no barriers working abroad if her career takes her this way.
- our family has a history of good sales people (personalities) and also small business owners, and our daughter shows many of the key skills for this.
- she engages with people and makes them very comfortable, hence why she has got on in the GP surgery with patient interactions. she is also a very
shrewd negotiator which i have seen on many occasions, along with being entrepreneurial - selling own items / car boots / online etc.
- i see her in corporate event management / wedding event planning or maybe straight forward F2F / B2B, B2C sales
In my opinion, she is now at a key stage where she would benefit from a mentor / key figure in her life, outside of immediate family and friends, who would take her on and grow her skills.
So, I ask the PH massive for your opinions, own experiences and maybe any offers of jobs?
Our daughter is at a bit of a crossroads, and is flip flopping with 'what to do next' .....
Background.
- she is 19 (20 in Nov) and is currently enjoying her Gap year
- university place accepted, starting Sept. 2025 to study Zoo Biology (3yrs)
- original career goal was to work in some area of marine biology / conservation / ecology (she imagined travelling the warm oceans in a bikini
)- during her Gap Year, she has travelled across Kenya with 2 female friends and volunteered at many places - schools / animal conservation etc.
- after arriving home from Kenya, she has had many trips within Europe expanding her mind and outlook
- she is 'very' personable, attractive, confident and capable - although I maybe slightly biased, we know from independent feedback that she stands out,
shines in any social situation and has 'IT' (whatever that is)
- in between travels, she has worked at local GP practices on front desk and also supporting doctors with admin duties. Again, she has proven to be very
capable and has quickly been given more repsonsibilities than many long serving team members. Basically managing the day to day.
- she has also worked many part time jobs since the age of 15/16 years old in hospitality (restaurants) - not work shy
Current position.
- she is now questioning whether she really wants to do the University degree, and has changed views on future career goals
- this has been driven in no small part by (a) getting a glimpse of the big wide world and opportunities, (b) some of her friends who have been at Uni for
almost 1yr and will now be dropping out, and (c) the cost of a Uni degree, which doesn't guarantee future career prospects / earnings.
- we have advised that Uni is not all about enhancing career prospects, but also personal growth. However, it is clear that she has already achieved the
personal growth and is way in advance of some of her friends in this area.
- she feels that full time employment is probably the best path for her, and she wants to get going NOW and start to grow a career.
What to do ???
- as parents, we will obviously support her in whatever she chooses, including financially to reduce Uni fees or staying at home.
- she is open to travel and see's no barriers working abroad if her career takes her this way.
- our family has a history of good sales people (personalities) and also small business owners, and our daughter shows many of the key skills for this.
- she engages with people and makes them very comfortable, hence why she has got on in the GP surgery with patient interactions. she is also a very
shrewd negotiator which i have seen on many occasions, along with being entrepreneurial - selling own items / car boots / online etc.
- i see her in corporate event management / wedding event planning or maybe straight forward F2F / B2B, B2C sales
In my opinion, she is now at a key stage where she would benefit from a mentor / key figure in her life, outside of immediate family and friends, who would take her on and grow her skills.
So, I ask the PH massive for your opinions, own experiences and maybe any offers of jobs?
Edited by MaverickGoose on Tuesday 10th June 10:19
vindaloo79 said:
I wonder if going to a university somewhere in Europe, maybe more than one location would be a better alternative for expanding one s horizons?
This is a good point, and one that has been considered. Coincidentally, her friend has gone off to Canada for her University studies.However, I do get the impression that she's ready to go now, and that Uni may not bring her much further up the ladder.
Thanks for the input.
So the Vet / working with animals career is off the cards?
As someone who works with students and some of the leading Unis across the world anything to do with medicine (animal or human) definitely does still need a degree unless of course that’s feeding them in a zoo.
There are a LOT of degrees, universities and careers where the cost and benefit doesn’t add up.
No problem at all with continuing to see the world and see what career she fancies I’ve seen people get into Oxford in their 40’s after failing A levels having a career then going back.
As someone who works with students and some of the leading Unis across the world anything to do with medicine (animal or human) definitely does still need a degree unless of course that’s feeding them in a zoo.
There are a LOT of degrees, universities and careers where the cost and benefit doesn’t add up.
No problem at all with continuing to see the world and see what career she fancies I’ve seen people get into Oxford in their 40’s after failing A levels having a career then going back.
BoRED S2upid said:
So the Vet / working with animals career is off the cards?
As someone who works with students and some of the leading Unis across the world anything to do with medicine (animal or human) definitely does still need a degree unless of course that s feeding them in a zoo.
There are a LOT of degrees, universities and careers where the cost and benefit doesn t add up.
No problem at all with continuing to see the world and see what career she fancies I ve seen people get into Oxford in their 40 s after failing A levels having a career then going back.
Veterinary surgeon, working with animals was never the end goal - she was more into ocean studies / marine life / health of planet / ecology. However, she had an image of bobbing up and down on a research yacht in a bikini with a great tan!! As someone who works with students and some of the leading Unis across the world anything to do with medicine (animal or human) definitely does still need a degree unless of course that s feeding them in a zoo.
There are a LOT of degrees, universities and careers where the cost and benefit doesn t add up.
No problem at all with continuing to see the world and see what career she fancies I ve seen people get into Oxford in their 40 s after failing A levels having a career then going back.
Although she did OK at A Level (B / C Grade), she's not a natural academic type - too busy networking and looking at next adventure / activity.
Randomly one morning I was listening to Jazz FM and they had this guy on:
https://www.mishcon.com/jazzshapers/jeremy-king
Reading your post I thought he'd be someone your daughter could take some inspiration from. Maybe she even contacts him for some advice or internship.
https://www.mishcon.com/jazzshapers/jeremy-king
Reading your post I thought he'd be someone your daughter could take some inspiration from. Maybe she even contacts him for some advice or internship.
- Switch to a more general degree course. There are few jobs in marine biology etc and those that do exist aren't big payers.
- Emerge from University (hopefully a well recognised University) with a decent degree.
- Get a job, any graduate job.
- Develop from there. Most organisations recognise talent and promote accordingly.
- After a couple of years, if there's no progress within that first organisation it's time to move on, armed at that stage with both a degree and with real work experience.
MaverickGoose said:
BoRED S2upid said:
So the Vet / working with animals career is off the cards?
As someone who works with students and some of the leading Unis across the world anything to do with medicine (animal or human) definitely does still need a degree unless of course that s feeding them in a zoo.
There are a LOT of degrees, universities and careers where the cost and benefit doesn t add up.
No problem at all with continuing to see the world and see what career she fancies I ve seen people get into Oxford in their 40 s after failing A levels having a career then going back.
Veterinary surgeon, working with animals was never the end goal - she was more into ocean studies / marine life / health of planet / ecology. However, she had an image of bobbing up and down on a research yacht in a bikini with a great tan!! As someone who works with students and some of the leading Unis across the world anything to do with medicine (animal or human) definitely does still need a degree unless of course that s feeding them in a zoo.
There are a LOT of degrees, universities and careers where the cost and benefit doesn t add up.
No problem at all with continuing to see the world and see what career she fancies I ve seen people get into Oxford in their 40 s after failing A levels having a career then going back.
Although she did OK at A Level (B / C Grade), she's not a natural academic type - too busy networking and looking at next adventure / activity.
Panamax said:
* Switch to a more general degree course. There are few jobs in marine biology etc and those that do exist aren't big payers.
Good concise points made - especially the marine biology career limited options / salary.- Emerge from University (hopefully a well recognised University) with a decent degree.
- Get a job, any graduate job.
- Develop from there. Most organisations recognise talent and promote accordingly.
- After a couple of years, if there's no progress within that first organisation it's time to move on, armed at that stage with both a degree and with real work experience.
I just get the feeling she is 'ready' now and could get where she wants to be in 5 years without having spent time studying - effort vs reward.
She just needs that first step to get started, and then i'm convinced she's grab it and fly.
degree apprenticeship?
although at this stage of the year, probably too late to get anything.
My friend's daughter is starting a degree apprenticeship at GSK - really competitive to get into but for context this is someone who was very personable but missed her medicine offer grades.
My niece is doing similar at a health think tank. Goes to uni one day a week. Gets 25k odd a year and wil finish with a decent degree and three years work experience and no debt!
If your daughter is really ready, give her a few thousand pounds and let her start a business. I know lots of business that started with a few thousand in seed capital are now generating millions in revenue.
although at this stage of the year, probably too late to get anything.
My friend's daughter is starting a degree apprenticeship at GSK - really competitive to get into but for context this is someone who was very personable but missed her medicine offer grades.
My niece is doing similar at a health think tank. Goes to uni one day a week. Gets 25k odd a year and wil finish with a decent degree and three years work experience and no debt!
If your daughter is really ready, give her a few thousand pounds and let her start a business. I know lots of business that started with a few thousand in seed capital are now generating millions in revenue.
+1 to degree apprenticeship, we have two lads in our org (IT for a car manufacturer) who have thrived under this.
I have got a lot of mates with kids who have graduated in recent years. They are all bright kids with good degrees from good universities but none of them are working in their desired field, yet have accumulated £50k of debt to find themselves working in retail or customer services, something a school leaver with a couple of GCSEs could do. The only ones who do seem to have got on are those with a connection - a friend or relative has basically given them their first job.
Universities charging fees should be made to publish how many of their graduates are working in their chosen subject area two years after graduation. I'd wager that some of them are embarrassingly low levels.
I have got a lot of mates with kids who have graduated in recent years. They are all bright kids with good degrees from good universities but none of them are working in their desired field, yet have accumulated £50k of debt to find themselves working in retail or customer services, something a school leaver with a couple of GCSEs could do. The only ones who do seem to have got on are those with a connection - a friend or relative has basically given them their first job.
Universities charging fees should be made to publish how many of their graduates are working in their chosen subject area two years after graduation. I'd wager that some of them are embarrassingly low levels.
Daughter is due to go to university in September, I wish she would take a year out (she has already been offered a job) but she is adamant she wants to go.
One thing that worries me is the amount of debt she is going to end up with, the fees and annual loan is looking to be around £60K over three years. Have to say, if the degree they are doing isn't going to lead to a decent paying job then I do think what is the point.
One thing that worries me is the amount of debt she is going to end up with, the fees and annual loan is looking to be around £60K over three years. Have to say, if the degree they are doing isn't going to lead to a decent paying job then I do think what is the point.
997.1 said:
degree apprenticeship?
although at this stage of the year, probably too late to get anything.
My friend's daughter is starting a degree apprenticeship at GSK - really competitive to get into but for context this is someone who was very personable but missed her medicine offer grades.
My niece is doing similar at a health think tank. Goes to uni one day a week. Gets 25k odd a year and wil finish with a decent degree and three years work experience and no debt!
If your daughter is really ready, give her a few thousand pounds and let her start a business. I know lots of business that started with a few thousand in seed capital are now generating millions in revenue.
Agree with this comment. although at this stage of the year, probably too late to get anything.
My friend's daughter is starting a degree apprenticeship at GSK - really competitive to get into but for context this is someone who was very personable but missed her medicine offer grades.
My niece is doing similar at a health think tank. Goes to uni one day a week. Gets 25k odd a year and wil finish with a decent degree and three years work experience and no debt!
If your daughter is really ready, give her a few thousand pounds and let her start a business. I know lots of business that started with a few thousand in seed capital are now generating millions in revenue.
As i'm old school and remember previous apprenticeship schemes, I am a supporter of how these can work and bring young people on at a good pace.
As others have said - a specialist degree with limited decently paid job opportunities isn't a great idea.
If going to uni is a must then perhaps do something more generic - business management might be a good one. Lots of job options and better earning potential - she can go relax on a beach in a bikini on holiday..the novelty of fieldwork soon wears off!
When weighing up uni vs other options - consider that the uni experience is a lot more than the degree - network, join clubs and societies, learn new skills etc. These are value added things that are much harder to come by if you go down the "work" route. If you just go to uni and do your degree but nothing else its a massive opportunity wasted.
If going to uni is a must then perhaps do something more generic - business management might be a good one. Lots of job options and better earning potential - she can go relax on a beach in a bikini on holiday..the novelty of fieldwork soon wears off!
When weighing up uni vs other options - consider that the uni experience is a lot more than the degree - network, join clubs and societies, learn new skills etc. These are value added things that are much harder to come by if you go down the "work" route. If you just go to uni and do your degree but nothing else its a massive opportunity wasted.
Maybe start having a trawl round prospects.ac.uk
Problem a lot of students have is they don't really research where a degree can take them. Example they enjoy geography studies, do a geography degree then struggle to find a job just doing geography. Whereas there are a lot of opportunities in businesses that at first glance you wouldn't think need that sort of knowledge but in reality useful path. Just a random example.
Equally if considering a uni course really interrogate that careers service before committing they will / should have the data on graduate outcomes both jobs and income.
Problem a lot of students have is they don't really research where a degree can take them. Example they enjoy geography studies, do a geography degree then struggle to find a job just doing geography. Whereas there are a lot of opportunities in businesses that at first glance you wouldn't think need that sort of knowledge but in reality useful path. Just a random example.
Equally if considering a uni course really interrogate that careers service before committing they will / should have the data on graduate outcomes both jobs and income.
If she makes a list of the potential "advantages" and "disadvantages" of starting life with a degree under her belt the "advantages" list is likely to be the longer one.
I reckon there are more people without a degree who wish had one than people with a degree who wish they hadn't.
Put bluntly, "Go and get a degree, enjoy yourself at Uni, and then do whatever you like. You're unlikely to miss out on anything."
I reckon there are more people without a degree who wish had one than people with a degree who wish they hadn't.
Put bluntly, "Go and get a degree, enjoy yourself at Uni, and then do whatever you like. You're unlikely to miss out on anything."
I have mentored quite a few youngsters of a similar age - children of friends mostly.
It is very hard for them to know what they want to do and therefore pick a path leading to a particular destination.
It might help, via your network, to have one or two people talk about their industry and journey - even if it results in a 'I wouldn't want to do that' reaction.
I have very recently helped a friends daughter into a PR role (straight from university) which she is already excelling in. Not an industry she had even considered.
The degree thing is an interesting one. There are plusses and minuses - in very general terms, if she wanted to be in a profession (Dr, Vet, Teacher etc) then a degree is required. If she wanted to go into sales then she'll find many (not all, but I'd say most) only look at graduates - which does result in great candidates who didn't go to university either being overlooked or finding it much tougher to get a foot in the door. My son recently graduated and reckoned it was a massive waste of time - although he is currently in a graduate intake programme.
I am happy to offer her a perspective if it would help - I have been chairman and CEO of several large media and data businesses.
It is very hard for them to know what they want to do and therefore pick a path leading to a particular destination.
It might help, via your network, to have one or two people talk about their industry and journey - even if it results in a 'I wouldn't want to do that' reaction.
I have very recently helped a friends daughter into a PR role (straight from university) which she is already excelling in. Not an industry she had even considered.
The degree thing is an interesting one. There are plusses and minuses - in very general terms, if she wanted to be in a profession (Dr, Vet, Teacher etc) then a degree is required. If she wanted to go into sales then she'll find many (not all, but I'd say most) only look at graduates - which does result in great candidates who didn't go to university either being overlooked or finding it much tougher to get a foot in the door. My son recently graduated and reckoned it was a massive waste of time - although he is currently in a graduate intake programme.
I am happy to offer her a perspective if it would help - I have been chairman and CEO of several large media and data businesses.
997.1 said:
degree apprenticeship?
although at this stage of the year, probably too late to get anything.
My friend's daughter is starting a degree apprenticeship at GSK - really competitive to get into but for context this is someone who was very personable but missed her medicine offer grades.
My niece is doing similar at a health think tank. Goes to uni one day a week. Gets 25k odd a year and wil finish with a decent degree and three years work experience and no debt!
If your daughter is really ready, give her a few thousand pounds and let her start a business. I know lots of business that started with a few thousand in seed capital are now generating millions in revenue.
Harder to get a degree apprenticeship than a place at Oxford! Hardly any places and thousands of applicants as you would expect. although at this stage of the year, probably too late to get anything.
My friend's daughter is starting a degree apprenticeship at GSK - really competitive to get into but for context this is someone who was very personable but missed her medicine offer grades.
My niece is doing similar at a health think tank. Goes to uni one day a week. Gets 25k odd a year and wil finish with a decent degree and three years work experience and no debt!
If your daughter is really ready, give her a few thousand pounds and let her start a business. I know lots of business that started with a few thousand in seed capital are now generating millions in revenue.
Given what you ve described, I see her thriving in a Customer Success role in B2B (essentially looking after customers and managing them once the sales team have done their part and got them signed). But she might be a bit too young or find it too boring- but you did say you see her in corporate and that she is good with people. Salaries are usually £50k min for a CSM (Customer Success Manager).
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