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Right, I need advice and lots of it! Any advice appreciated. I'm 24, working in Marketing, but I've decided I want to go into a completely different field - I'm quite interested in entomology (bugs) but I would quite happily do cellular/molecular biology. I'm not entirely sure which career option would be the best move with regards to difficulty in finding jobs in those fields and salary (although I would be quite happy to emigrate if I had to). I'm mainly interested in evolution, and insects are good for that cos there are so many and they are so interesting.
My main problem though is studying. I've just started doing an Open University course, it's a level one course, covering all aspects of science, but I'm really enjoying it, and I've been looking at courses that do the sort of things I'm interested in. So my dilemma, is do I stay working in Marketing whilst doing an Open University degree and saving money - I could be a senior marketing manager in 4 years and would get my degree in about 5 years. OR do I go to uni in September where I can focus properly on the course and finish in 3 years? I saw a course on the University of Liverpool's website - Zoology with evolutionary psycology. Plus you can combine 2 degrees, so I could do half philosophy as well, which I would really enjoy.
I don't really know where to start though - how do I find out which uni is the best for the type of course I want to do, but also has a good social aspect to it?
I didn't go to uni (kicking myself now) so I did really miss out on the whole social thing, and life is about enjoying yourself right?
BUT it is a huge risk, and I would end up with debts, rather than savings.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I know this is a real 'look at me' post but it's driving me crazy thinking about it all the time!!!
My main problem though is studying. I've just started doing an Open University course, it's a level one course, covering all aspects of science, but I'm really enjoying it, and I've been looking at courses that do the sort of things I'm interested in. So my dilemma, is do I stay working in Marketing whilst doing an Open University degree and saving money - I could be a senior marketing manager in 4 years and would get my degree in about 5 years. OR do I go to uni in September where I can focus properly on the course and finish in 3 years? I saw a course on the University of Liverpool's website - Zoology with evolutionary psycology. Plus you can combine 2 degrees, so I could do half philosophy as well, which I would really enjoy.
I don't really know where to start though - how do I find out which uni is the best for the type of course I want to do, but also has a good social aspect to it?
I didn't go to uni (kicking myself now) so I did really miss out on the whole social thing, and life is about enjoying yourself right?
BUT it is a huge risk, and I would end up with debts, rather than savings.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I know this is a real 'look at me' post but it's driving me crazy thinking about it all the time!!!
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Kat wrote:
> my crazy head is saying
> 'do it, you'll only regret it in 5 years if you don't'.
This is an interesting part. Is part of you really saying that you will regret it if you don’t do it? If so, I think you have your answer.
> my crazy head is saying
> 'do it, you'll only regret it in 5 years if you don't'.
This is an interesting part. Is part of you really saying that you will regret it if you don’t do it? If so, I think you have your answer.
aaagghhhh, I'm even more confused now.
After the first couple of posts, my sensible head had said 'yes, that's the right decision, I knew deep down it was the best thing to do', but now after the last couple of posts my crazy head is saying 'do it, you'll only regret it in 5 years if you don't'.
I really need to think about this properly, cos I really need to decide EXACTLY what career I want (do I?) I know which degrees I would REALLY enjoy, is that enough for now?
Who do you talk to about this sort of thing?
Also any tips on good unis for science courses, particularly biology?
Good for the courses and for social life. Anyone know what Liverpool uni is like? Brighton?
After the first couple of posts, my sensible head had said 'yes, that's the right decision, I knew deep down it was the best thing to do', but now after the last couple of posts my crazy head is saying 'do it, you'll only regret it in 5 years if you don't'.
I really need to think about this properly, cos I really need to decide EXACTLY what career I want (do I?) I know which degrees I would REALLY enjoy, is that enough for now?
Who do you talk to about this sort of thing?
Also any tips on good unis for science courses, particularly biology?
Good for the courses and for social life. Anyone know what Liverpool uni is like? Brighton?
I was 30 and quit my job in marketing to go train as a teacher.
Best thing I ever did.
Course doesn't start till waaaay later in the year, so I'm bumming around agency jobs (currently a postman) and loving it. No bosses, no comittments, no deadlines, no stress, no idiotic office politics, no market data analysis, no working if you wake up and don't feel like it.
Doing a little freelance writing as well to suppliment the income.
Do it, quit your job in marketing. Take it from me, best goddam decision I ever made.
Can't believe I wasted 4 years doing crap that didn't interest me.
Best thing I ever did.
Course doesn't start till waaaay later in the year, so I'm bumming around agency jobs (currently a postman) and loving it. No bosses, no comittments, no deadlines, no stress, no idiotic office politics, no market data analysis, no working if you wake up and don't feel like it.
Doing a little freelance writing as well to suppliment the income.
Do it, quit your job in marketing. Take it from me, best goddam decision I ever made.
Can't believe I wasted 4 years doing crap that didn't interest me.
So you want out of marketting?
Then I'd suggest go to uni full time.
You are eligable for a student loan, right?
So you won't have so much money. But you'll be in a better position to devote yourself to your studies, and could have a better shot at a higher class degree.
Life is short. You have an idea of what you want to do with your life, that's a great start. But now you need to make it happen.
You can spend 5 years doing a job you really don't want to do, or you can get out now, spend 3 years studying then be doing what you want with your life.
To me, staying in marketting would be a waste of at least 2 years.
Then I'd suggest go to uni full time.
You are eligable for a student loan, right?
So you won't have so much money. But you'll be in a better position to devote yourself to your studies, and could have a better shot at a higher class degree.
Life is short. You have an idea of what you want to do with your life, that's a great start. But now you need to make it happen.
You can spend 5 years doing a job you really don't want to do, or you can get out now, spend 3 years studying then be doing what you want with your life.
To me, staying in marketting would be a waste of at least 2 years.
Garin wrote:
> As somebody who went to uni, and finished 8 years ago, looking back I
> have to say the "social side" is one element I could safely
> have done without. :) And its certainly nothing I could go and do
> again, now or even 5 years ago. I hate to generalise but alot of it
> can be nothing more than children running riot as its the first time
> they don't have parents watching over them. I'm not trying to bash
> students, its just that as you get older the whole "student
> social life" thing can be much less appealing especially when
> the majority of people are a minimum of 5 years younger than you.
> So I wouldn't necessarily start making decisions based upon you
> wanting to experience the social side because you may well hate it.
Well, I was recently seeing a guy that was in his final year at uni, and I used to go and spend a weekend with him at uni, and it was great, I could just see what an amazing life he had - he was back 2 minutes and already bumping into people he knew, then we go out and everyone knows each other, and I got on with everyone really well, I know most of them were 21/22 as they were in their last year, and I would be in the class with 18/19 year olds if I went, but I could socialise with the older people. I see what you mean though.
> That may well be true but don't sell yourself short. 8 years older,
> also means 8 years more experience. Marketing might seem a long way
> from biology or entomology etc. but you will have transferable
> skills. Skills that some employer somewhere will value and make you
> a greater asset than some fresh faced 22 year old with a 'proper' uni
> degree. You often find in scientific fields that yes there may well
> be lots of knowledge about the field but there isn't necessarily many
> people who have that and (not sure how to describe it) 'business
> knowledge' such as good management practices, or even simple things
> like how to do a good presentation.
I hope employers do think like that, but also, all the 22 year olds will have the chance to do a phd and still not be as old as me. I guess if I start looking for a trainee position after 2 years of my OU course then they might sponsor me to do specific training in the relevant area.
>
> Also don't underrate your OU course, they have a decent reputation in
> some fields. I certainly think the notion that OU degrees aren't as
> good as 'proper' uni degrees is a bit outdated.
What it is, I was looking at a description of some courses, and I couldn't believe how great they sounded - much better than the OU course, and I found it hard trying to pick just 1 or 2 (combined) degrees, just thinking that I will never be able to do either makes me feel like I'm missing out on something. BUT then I think about being a broke bum at uni and having such pressure to do well, it may take away the enjoyment a bit!
You are right, I think I'm just gutted that I missed out on the experience - everyone I know talks about their uni days with such a smile on their face, and once you've decided which career you want to do, shouldn't you go for it, full on?
Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it, it has helped, even if I don't sound like it has!
> As somebody who went to uni, and finished 8 years ago, looking back I
> have to say the "social side" is one element I could safely
> have done without. :) And its certainly nothing I could go and do
> again, now or even 5 years ago. I hate to generalise but alot of it
> can be nothing more than children running riot as its the first time
> they don't have parents watching over them. I'm not trying to bash
> students, its just that as you get older the whole "student
> social life" thing can be much less appealing especially when
> the majority of people are a minimum of 5 years younger than you.
> So I wouldn't necessarily start making decisions based upon you
> wanting to experience the social side because you may well hate it.
Well, I was recently seeing a guy that was in his final year at uni, and I used to go and spend a weekend with him at uni, and it was great, I could just see what an amazing life he had - he was back 2 minutes and already bumping into people he knew, then we go out and everyone knows each other, and I got on with everyone really well, I know most of them were 21/22 as they were in their last year, and I would be in the class with 18/19 year olds if I went, but I could socialise with the older people. I see what you mean though.
> That may well be true but don't sell yourself short. 8 years older,
> also means 8 years more experience. Marketing might seem a long way
> from biology or entomology etc. but you will have transferable
> skills. Skills that some employer somewhere will value and make you
> a greater asset than some fresh faced 22 year old with a 'proper' uni
> degree. You often find in scientific fields that yes there may well
> be lots of knowledge about the field but there isn't necessarily many
> people who have that and (not sure how to describe it) 'business
> knowledge' such as good management practices, or even simple things
> like how to do a good presentation.
I hope employers do think like that, but also, all the 22 year olds will have the chance to do a phd and still not be as old as me. I guess if I start looking for a trainee position after 2 years of my OU course then they might sponsor me to do specific training in the relevant area.
>
> Also don't underrate your OU course, they have a decent reputation in
> some fields. I certainly think the notion that OU degrees aren't as
> good as 'proper' uni degrees is a bit outdated.
What it is, I was looking at a description of some courses, and I couldn't believe how great they sounded - much better than the OU course, and I found it hard trying to pick just 1 or 2 (combined) degrees, just thinking that I will never be able to do either makes me feel like I'm missing out on something. BUT then I think about being a broke bum at uni and having such pressure to do well, it may take away the enjoyment a bit!
You are right, I think I'm just gutted that I missed out on the experience - everyone I know talks about their uni days with such a smile on their face, and once you've decided which career you want to do, shouldn't you go for it, full on?
Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it, it has helped, even if I don't sound like it has!
Kat wrote:
> I keep thinking how I'll be 30 when I finish my OU course - 30 when I
> start a new career - 30!!! I'll be up against 22 year olds that have
> 'proper' uni degrees.
>
> Thanks for your advice.
Uni graduates are not guaranteed a job as soon as they finish they're degrees the applicant reviewers WILL look at everyone they think is good enough,if you manage to get an interview and make a good impression who knows? You might get the job. My bro is 24 and finished his degree 2 years ago (i think so anyway) he's had a quite a bit of work experience aswell but still it's took him 2 years to find a permament job!
Though it's not quite in the field he wants to work in but still it's a job..
> I keep thinking how I'll be 30 when I finish my OU course - 30 when I
> start a new career - 30!!! I'll be up against 22 year olds that have
> 'proper' uni degrees.
>
> Thanks for your advice.
Uni graduates are not guaranteed a job as soon as they finish they're degrees the applicant reviewers WILL look at everyone they think is good enough,if you manage to get an interview and make a good impression who knows? You might get the job. My bro is 24 and finished his degree 2 years ago (i think so anyway) he's had a quite a bit of work experience aswell but still it's took him 2 years to find a permament job!
Though it's not quite in the field he wants to work in but still it's a job..
Kat wrote:
> Thanks, I'm just thinking about what employers would prefer. Plus I
> would like to experience the social side of uni, and the course
> material looks amazing compared to the Open University course. I'm
> thinking with lab type jobs, employers would prefer more hands-on
> experience, which you only have 1 week a year of, with the OU
> course.
>
As somebody who went to uni, and finished 8 years ago, looking back I have to say the "social side" is one element I could safely have done without. :) And its certainly nothing I could go and do again, now or even 5 years ago. I hate to generalise but alot of it can be nothing more than children running riot as its the first time they don't have parents watching over them. I'm not trying to bash students, its just that as you get older the whole "student social life" thing can be much less appealing especially when the majority of people are a minimum of 5 years younger than you.
So I wouldn't necessarily start making decisions based upon you wanting to experience the social side because you may well hate it.
As far as OU or Uni is concerned, you might explore the possibility of some kind of middle ground. Contact some universities and see if they'd consider accepting you into the 2nd or 3rd year based upon the credits you've obtained from the OU.
> I keep thinking how I'll be 30 when I finish my OU course - 30 when I
> start a new career - 30!!! I'll be up against 22 year olds that have
> 'proper' uni degrees.
>
That may well be true but don't sell yourself short. 8 years older, also means 8 years more experience. Marketing might seem a long way from biology or entomology etc. but you will have transferable skills. Skills that some employer somewhere will value and make you a greater asset than some fresh faced 22 year old with a 'proper' uni degree. You often find in scientific fields that yes there may well be lots of knowledge about the field but there isn't necessarily many people who have that and (not sure how to describe it) 'business knowledge' such as good management practices, or even simple things like how to do a good presentation.
Also don't underrate your OU course, they have a decent reputation in some fields. I certainly think the notion that OU degrees aren't as good as 'proper' uni degrees is a bit outdated.
> Thanks, I'm just thinking about what employers would prefer. Plus I
> would like to experience the social side of uni, and the course
> material looks amazing compared to the Open University course. I'm
> thinking with lab type jobs, employers would prefer more hands-on
> experience, which you only have 1 week a year of, with the OU
> course.
>
As somebody who went to uni, and finished 8 years ago, looking back I have to say the "social side" is one element I could safely have done without. :) And its certainly nothing I could go and do again, now or even 5 years ago. I hate to generalise but alot of it can be nothing more than children running riot as its the first time they don't have parents watching over them. I'm not trying to bash students, its just that as you get older the whole "student social life" thing can be much less appealing especially when the majority of people are a minimum of 5 years younger than you.
So I wouldn't necessarily start making decisions based upon you wanting to experience the social side because you may well hate it.
As far as OU or Uni is concerned, you might explore the possibility of some kind of middle ground. Contact some universities and see if they'd consider accepting you into the 2nd or 3rd year based upon the credits you've obtained from the OU.
> I keep thinking how I'll be 30 when I finish my OU course - 30 when I
> start a new career - 30!!! I'll be up against 22 year olds that have
> 'proper' uni degrees.
>
That may well be true but don't sell yourself short. 8 years older, also means 8 years more experience. Marketing might seem a long way from biology or entomology etc. but you will have transferable skills. Skills that some employer somewhere will value and make you a greater asset than some fresh faced 22 year old with a 'proper' uni degree. You often find in scientific fields that yes there may well be lots of knowledge about the field but there isn't necessarily many people who have that and (not sure how to describe it) 'business knowledge' such as good management practices, or even simple things like how to do a good presentation.
Also don't underrate your OU course, they have a decent reputation in some fields. I certainly think the notion that OU degrees aren't as good as 'proper' uni degrees is a bit outdated.
ßulle††™ wrote:
>
> At the end of the day it's up to you, but don't be thinking that you
> HAVE to go to Uni - even if it will get you your qualifications
> sooner.
Thanks, I'm just thinking about what employers would prefer. Plus I would like to experience the social side of uni, and the course material looks amazing compared to the Open University course. I'm thinking with lab type jobs, employers would prefer more hands-on experience, which you only have 1 week a year of, with the OU course.
I keep thinking how I'll be 30 when I finish my OU course - 30 when I start a new career - 30!!! I'll be up against 22 year olds that have 'proper' uni degrees.
Thanks for your advice.
>
> At the end of the day it's up to you, but don't be thinking that you
> HAVE to go to Uni - even if it will get you your qualifications
> sooner.
Thanks, I'm just thinking about what employers would prefer. Plus I would like to experience the social side of uni, and the course material looks amazing compared to the Open University course. I'm thinking with lab type jobs, employers would prefer more hands-on experience, which you only have 1 week a year of, with the OU course.
I keep thinking how I'll be 30 when I finish my OU course - 30 when I start a new career - 30!!! I'll be up against 22 year olds that have 'proper' uni degrees.
Thanks for your advice.
I too recommend you stick with the Open Uni course.
I didn't go to Uni and I don't regret it. What I will be doing sometime this year is taking a MCSE course (Microsoft Certified Engineer) while staying at work. This way I make a living now and prepare for a future career change at the same time.
Either that or take a Driving Instructors course (which I would prefer to be honest, though there is more money in being a Microsoft Engineer!).
At the end of the day it's up to you, but don't be thinking that you HAVE to go to Uni - even if it will get you your qualifications sooner.
I didn't go to Uni and I don't regret it. What I will be doing sometime this year is taking a MCSE course (Microsoft Certified Engineer) while staying at work. This way I make a living now and prepare for a future career change at the same time.
Either that or take a Driving Instructors course (which I would prefer to be honest, though there is more money in being a Microsoft Engineer!).
At the end of the day it's up to you, but don't be thinking that you HAVE to go to Uni - even if it will get you your qualifications sooner.
sorry, no offence but most people here are 13!
I think you should keep with the open university course!
I think you should keep with the open university course!
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