If Not College, Then What?

TheBiz

I'm a college student, 2 years of a business degree and now back in second year of a Business Information Systems degree.

I came home today and told my mother I'm not sure if I really like it.
Not that I hate it and I want out but that it's a new college I don't know if I like the environment, the lectures aren't that interesting and I'm already sick of commuting in and out, 6:45 bus, and another bus just to be late for my 9am everyday.

I can't afford to go back and start from first year all over again, and I wouldn't even know what to study..

"If not college, then what!?" is the response I got back.

Good question.

As far as I see it my options are a factory, bar work, retail or a trade.
Am I missing anything?

Anyone fancy sharing their experiences?

selectamatic

You could always go on social welfare and have a scatter of babies.

Good money apparently.

Jim Bob Scratcher

School of hard knocks

Ipso

Invest in bitcoin.

GalwayGrrrrrl

Could you stick with the degree then use it to get onto a masters course that you enjoy? Could you stay with a friend occasionally to cut down on commuting? Unless you have a clear plan ahead I think you should try to finish your course.

TheBiz

selectamatic wrote: »

You could always go on social welfare and have a scatter of babies.

Good money apparently.

I should probably invest in a poorly done neck tattoo, cans of cider and a tracksuit..

TheBiz

Jim Bob Scratcher wrote: »

School of hard knocks

There's a rap lyric in there somewhere.

TheValeyard

NIMAN

Get some plumber/electrician training....they guys never seem to be out of work.

TheValeyard

NIMAN wrote: »

Get some plumber/electrician training....they guys never seem to be out of work.

Or short of money.

jonon9

There is no shame in working with your hands. Getting a trade and been good at it can be very rewarding. There will always be work for tradespeople.

salmocab

Murray TheDemonic TalkingSkull wrote: »

Or short of money.

Trust me we do be

Buford T. Justice XIX

TheBiz wrote: »

I'm a college student, 2 years of a business degree and now back in second year of a Business Information Systems degree.

I came home today and told my mother I'm not sure if I really like it.
Not that I hate it and I want out but that it's a new college I don't know if I like the environment, the lectures aren't that interesting and I'm already sick of commuting in and out, 6:45 bus, and another bus just to be late for my 9am everyday.

I can't afford to go back and start from first year all over again, and I wouldn't even know what to study..

"If not college, then what!?" is the response I got back.

Good question.

As far as I see it my options are a factory, bar work, retail or a trade.
Am I missing anything?

Anyone fancy sharing their experiences?

A qualification gives you options. Having a trade gives you options.
Having neither reduces your options and makes it more difficult to get started or promoted or change jobs.


Would it be possible to return to your business degree, just by saying you made a mistake and the course just isn't for you? I'm assuming you are interested in business as a career as that's what you chose when filling out your CAO.


Is there any section of the new course that interests you or is it just starting off from scratch being the outsider in the class and having to work your way into the social aspect that you find daunting?

Ipso

jonon9 wrote: »

There is no shame in working with your hands. Getting a trade and been good at it can be very rewarding. There will always be work for tradespeople.

Yes, but unfortunately some of us are as handy as a chocolate teapot.

cbyrd

TheBiz wrote:

As far as I see it my options are a factory, bar work, retail or a trade. Am I missing anything?

There's nothing wrong with taking a year or 2 out, getting a job and figuring out what it is you really want to do. You can change your mind 40 times and stumble on a choice completely by accident.
The thing is you need to line up some work before you stop/suspend college.
You can always go back.
College is not for everyone so don't be embarrassed or ashamed.

My 19 year old did her leaving last year, decided to take a year out as she didn't know what to study, so she got a job in McDonald's. Now she's saving like a maniac and applying for psychiatric nursing in Edinburgh, starting next year.
Because I didn't have to fund her time out it was fine with me and she has matured so much in the year dealing with people and understanding money and working. Best thing she ever did.
Best of luck,

jonon9

mmmmmm chocolate teapot

mikhail

It doesn't matter that much what you do, but finish something. Nothing would make me more nervous of hiring a fella than seeing he'd three goes at uni before finally dropping out.

lisasimpson

College isnt for everyone and is a concept people need to get their head around. Suss out the various county education boards in your local area. There is also the civil service however harder to get into nowadays. Also there is work as your learn options ie entry leavel in insurance where companies paid for you to do industry exams there maybe other industries that do the same. Also there is the optio of defense forces gardai etc. See can you locate a good career guidence professional they would know more

Samuel T. Cogley

FFS don't waste your life working in retail / sales. Get a degree or get a trade or get on the bottom rung of the civil service and work your way up. Trust me life just gets more boring from here mucker.

TheBiz

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

A qualification gives you options. Having a trade gives you options.
Having neither reduces your options and makes it more difficult to get started or promoted or change jobs.


Would it be possible to return to your business degree, just by saying you made a mistake and the course just isn't for you? I'm assuming you are interested in business as a career as that's what you chose when filling out your CAO.


Is there any section of the new course that interests you or is it just starting off from scratch being the outsider in the class and having to work your way into the social aspect that you find daunting?

I didn't enjoy my last course at all, first year was spent drunk (first year accommodation) and 2nd year wasn't enjoyable, I just didn't like the course content, the atmosphere, the commuting any of it really, I'm glad I moved, the sole reason is I'm not trapped in there anymore.

I've done some of the modules from last year (not exactly the same but close) so HRM, management theory, the more businessy subjects.

I'm starting in 2nd year so I hear 'but I'm sure you know that by now' a lot, I don't but I'm picking it up as I go.
I have more friends from home at this college but you're restricted by different timetables.
I don't know anyone in my course, I don't have much opportunity to meet people outside of it either given I'm commuting so the social aspect is missing really, but I'm still anxious about what's left of it.

TheBiz

mikhail wrote: »

It doesn't matter that much what you do, but finish something. Nothing would make me more nervous of hiring a fella than seeing he'd three goes at uni before finally dropping out.

Only two, I haven't developed a taste for dropping out yet!

DEFTLEFTHAND

The Guards?

Think they're recruiting again at the moment.


Or the Prison Service, Army, Navy?

North inner city hoodlum

Sell quality weed. Sorted.

mikhail

TheBiz wrote: »

Only two, I haven't developed a taste for dropping out yet!

I know. I mean whatever you do next, see it out to the bitter end. Worth considering on the current degree too. Can you duck out with an ordinary degree after 3rd year?

Mrs OBumble

How long has it been since this course started? Have you really given it a fair go?

Do you have any work experience or a part-time job?

Buford T. Justice XIX

TheBiz wrote: »

I didn't enjoy my last course at all, first year was spent drunk (first year accommodation) and 2nd year wasn't enjoyable, I just didn't like the course content, the atmosphere, the commuting any of it really, I'm glad I moved, the sole reason is I'm not trapped in there anymore.

I've done some of the modules from last year (not exactly the same but close) so HRM, management theory, the more businessy subjects.

I'm starting in 2nd year so I hear 'but I'm sure you know that by now' a lot, I don't but I'm picking it up as I go.
I have more friends from home at this college but you're restricted by different timetables.
I don't know anyone in my course, I don't have much opportunity to meet people outside of it either given I'm commuting so the social aspect is missing really, but I'm still anxious about what's left of it.

So it seems to be the social side you feel you're missing out on, partially anyway? First year passes in a drunken haze for a lot of students but sh!t starts getting serious after that.

Even working now while your friends from home are studying or working as well will lead to many different times when either you or them have different things going on. When you're in college, those are the times you study hard and prepare for exams. Then when your friends are free also, you have the opportunity to socialise with them or not, without study being impacted too badly.


I think the biggest question you need to ask yourself is what you want to be doing and working at when you are finished with whatever qualification you end up with. As someone suggested previously, some career guidance would help and I'm sure someone in the students union would point you towards someone you can discuss your options with.


Many finish college not knowing what they want to do after so maybe a more broad ranged college course might suit you better from a career point of view and then a further course in that area can be done?


I have friends and family who changed careers after qualifying and working in different fields then returning to college again so maybe that may be an option for further down the line?

irishguitarlad

Take my advice and finish It. You're not working now(I presume), so you can dedicate all your time to passing your course. I made the mistake of not staying and now I'm 27 heading into second year and working a job with long hours, it's really difficult and my respect for people Who study and work has gone up a lot.

Noveight

I always reckoned that if I hadn't gone through college (secondary teacher now) I'd have spent a few years driving trucks. Runs around the country and maybe to the continent, would've been an experience.

Wesser

If the problem is that your just not sure if you like it... but that you don't hate it.... or don't want out.... then welcome to the real world... Very few people skip to work with glee. If it's just that you're not sure, but you don't hate it, then welcome to the rest of your life. I think you need to lower your expectations.

RiderOnTheStorm

If it's not right, it's not right. No point in wasting time money effort. Find something you like. Its much easier to put up with early commutes , crap hours, crap wages, the slow climb up the ladder....if you like what you do. This could be another course, or another college or a different direction all together.

But first ask yourself some hard questions and be honest with yourself (after all only you will hear the answer and this is your life you are planning).
Are you giving up this course because its hard?
Are you the sort to finish what you start?
Why did you want to go to college?
etc

Jimmy.

A trade e.g electrician, plumber, block layer etc will always be a good thing to do. Unfortunately the youth of today aren’t interested in trades just IT.

spurious

Always the option of volunteering under the European Volunteer Scheme - they pay you an allowance while doing it.

Perhaps use some of the skills you already have to see do you really want to work in that area.

Vincent Vega

kylith

You could always get a job.

Noveight wrote: »

I always reckoned that if I hadn't gone through college (secondary teacher now) I'd have spent a few years driving trucks. Runs around the country and maybe to the continent, would've been an experience.

A couple of my family members are lorry drivers. There's good money in it, and there's work going, but the hours are unsociable and it takes a hell of a toll on your body.

KilOit

Try your luck at a public job. Clerical in hse or civil service, money is poor at the beginning but it goes up quickly and its a secure job

Look at it this way in approximately 20 months they will have achieved a level 7 degree if you stick it out the time will be gone in a flash. They don't hate it they just don't love it, what happens if they find everything they try they don't hate it but don't love it either.

Are they expecting their parents to support them if they drop out again or does the op have a job?

Hector Bellend

Just empty your nuts before you make a decision.

xi5yvm0owc1s2b

OP, the point of doing the course isn't to enjoy the atmosphere, make friends, etc. It's to learn marketable skills that you can put to good use.

If you drop out now to work in retail or a bar, believe me, you will regret it in the future.

Ficheall

I didn't like my course after the first year, didn't do well in it. Decided that since I'd started, I'd plough on until the uni failed me. I didn't realise, of course, how difficult it is to fail uni, so I ended up getting the degree, a PhD, and then doing a postdoc.

After a while, it becomes difficult to change direction. The job I do now, although it stipulates the requirement for a mathematics phd, doesn't really require much mathematics beyond knowing the BOMDAS rule. I often regret not switching courses after first year.


There's far too much emphasis on sending absolutely everyone to university and giving them a degree. Of course, there's too much money in it for the unis for it to be likely to stop any time soon. I have a lot of respect for people who can bail on a field of study (but who, of course, then go on to do something else worthwhile instead). On the other hand, I know a guy who spent nine years repeating his arts degree (UK), then, on his last attempt at final year, never submitted his final essays, and so ended up without a degree..

Is it possible to switch to a different college without the mad commute? or move closer to the current college?
or sit in on lectures for different courses and decide if you want to switch? maybe see if it's possible and if so how much it would cost? you might get credits from what you've done?
Being brand new and uncomfortable at first is going to happen in any situation, there's no point giving up straight away.
It's true college is not for everyone but you are there now so why not look at options.

Mark25

Grass is always greener on thr other side. So if college is OK even if not great it probably makes sense to see it through.

I did a year at college but mainly got drunk and decided college wasnt for me and decided Id be better of working and ended up joining the Army. That didnt work ou for me ether and I left and life then became messy.

I ended up going back to college 3 years ago and finished up with a degree this year and am working now. The good thing these days is you can go back. I ended up finishing college about 10 years later and older than everybody else but things are getting better now.

Noveight

kylith wrote: »

A couple of my family members are lorry drivers. There's good money in it, and there's work going, but the hours are unsociable and it takes a hell of a toll on your body.

Yeah I'd imagine the unsociable hours do make it tough. I was on a late pickup from Dublin airport in recent weeks and the amount of lorries on the road at 3-4am amazed me.

starlit

Hi Op,

I'd advise to continue the course from having completed a similar degree myself other option is transfer into another business course if you feel that you couldn't restart another course. You will have more options to branch out after into a Masters or specialise into a hdip or postgrad for a year after a degree. Hours and commuting can be unsociable alright but when you start working could be earlier!?

Springboard courses be optional after a degree if you wish to specialise or do a different course. Weigh up all your options and think about what you want for your future? Its a difficult choice to make no matter how old you are. You will have more job opportunities after completing the course though and chances of going abroad for work.

Is there work-experience as part of it which would be very beneficial? Is there a possibility of transferring to a college similar course that has work-experience if where you are doesn't have it which I think might be a factor when looking for work in the future. Think about it long and hard before making any big decisions there will always the possibility of going back to college again if you decide not to continue the course when undecided about another one. Do your research on what career you'd like and what you like to achieve for the future. Is there career guidance available in the college maybe speak with them to see what options might suit you?

PLC courses might be an option could mean waiting until next year though. Don't know if the PLC's accept people at this late stage after CAO results.

If its a case you don't like the course and feel it won't help you in the long run then there is no point if you not happy with it. Is there an option to transfer into another business course they often might allow that in 2nd/3rd year or transfer into a business course elsewhere?

Going into the work-force for a while and take a year out might help you decide better but maybe try finding part-time work before you leave the course still early days yet might need time to settle in if you feel nearer to the time of projects due and exams coming near its not for you then best to leave course. Defer your 2nd year if it is possible and see how you feel about it?

Public service is an option as well don't always need a college course some jobs may require at least a level 6 not necessarily a degree. You need to have the Leaving Cert at least. How about the local county council? Christmas jobs will be coming up soon aswell so you might get something. Join the local jobs club be a help too to research what's out there before you consider leaving the course.

All the best with your decision!

batgoat

From experience, I realised in college that I wasn't going to work in the area I was studying. Completed the degree and did some additional work so I could do a masters in a separate area.

A degree lets you live in other countries much more easily, like me in Vietnam. Try to finish it it off if you can.

TheBiz

starlit wrote: »

Hi Op,

I'd advise to continue the course from having completed a similar degree myself other option is transfer into another business course if you feel that you couldn't restart another course. You will have more options to branch out after into a Masters or specialise into a hdip or postgrad for a year after a degree. Hours and commuting can be unsociable alright but when you start working could be earlier!?

Springboard courses be optional after a degree if you wish to specialise or do a different course. Weigh up all your options and think about what you want for your future? Its a difficult choice to make no matter how old you are. You will have more job opportunities after completing the course though and chances of going abroad for work.

Is there work-experience as part of it which would be very beneficial? Is there a possibility of transferring to a college similar course that has work-experience if where you are doesn't have it which I think might be a factor when looking for work in the future. Think about it long and hard before making any big decisions there will always the possibility of going back to college again if you decide not to continue the course when undecided about another one. Do your research on what career you'd like and what you like to achieve for the future. Is there career guidance available in the college maybe speak with them to see what options might suit you?

PLC courses might be an option could mean waiting until next year though. Don't know if the PLC's accept people at this late stage after CAO results.

If its a case you don't like the course and feel it won't help you in the long run then there is no point if you not happy with it. Is there an option to transfer into another business course they often might allow that in 2nd/3rd year or transfer into a business course elsewhere?

Going into the work-force for a while and take a year out might help you decide better but maybe try finding part-time work before you leave the course still early days yet might need time to settle in if you feel nearer to the time of projects due and exams coming near its not for you then best to leave course. Defer your 2nd year if it is possible and see how you feel about it?

Public service is an option as well don't always need a college course some jobs may require at least a level 6 not necessarily a degree. You need to have the Leaving Cert at least. How about the local county council? Christmas jobs will be coming up soon aswell so you might get something. Join the local jobs club be a help too to research what's out there before you consider leaving the course.

All the best with your decision!

Thanks for all the advice!

I was in a business degree and I hated it, I had a horrible experience in my first two years of college; being part of a friend group that started to push me out, not invite me, not add me to group chats, arrange events without me.. but I still lived lived with one of them, went to lectures with them (walking much faster than me), they'd still great me, say goodbye that sort of thing but arranged something right in front of me, I wasn't invited..
Between that and the course itself I wouldn't go back to the degree (best business degree/college I can commute to/from)

I have an idea of what I want to do career wise, I want to either start my own business, work in the field of or be part of a start up in the area of targeted marketing, advanced marketing, data collect etc..
Basically tailored adverts.

So IS is the right field for me, if that's what I'm going to do.
I had my first practical today actually and I enjoyed it, I like that it's just down to logic, not theoretical bullsh*t.

I think my best bet is at least sit it out for the level 7, I'm finding it easy so far, and I've been looking forward at lecture slides and notes so I should pass without too much effort.

If I can I'll try and find part time work and try to get some student accommodation..

As for the whole social side of college I'm at a bit of a loss, I've talked to people in my lectures but very little, just answering or asking questions..
I've had a look at the societies and clubs, I can't really join most if any of them because I'm gone by the time they're meeting.. so unless I extend the college day from the 6:40 bus on to another bus and a train home, but that would really take it's toll.

My problem isn't so much with the material but the overall environment, the way they lecture, the commute.. and less about what I'm learning, it's just a lot of it I could teach myself and more if I wasn't concerned with employability given I hope to be self employed and to employ others.

But thanks again.

starlit

You very welcome. I'd still recommend to continue the course and i'd expect its practical as well as theory based they go hand in hand for the Information Systems side of things to understand everything. If the material and the subjects themselves suit you and feel your career is in that line rather than business so no reason why not to continue with the course and then decide what to do after.

There are courses that specialise in Marketing and there are Degrees/Masters in Marketing as well. Marketing will compliment the IT side of things of business as well if you went down the line of online marketing. All very interesting to study when you have a good interest and good at them as well that's half the battle when completing courses. Keep your head down and focus on the course and do your best is all that be expected of you!

Best of luck!