Chicken bald back

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sadly, ES has decided to drop out of his Forensics and Advanced Digital Security post-grad course . He found the Advanced Networking way beyond him with most of the students being a lot older than him, already in employment and talking about the subject very knowledgeably already. I'm disappointed that the course hasn't worked out but I'm glad he made the decision early on so hasn't wasted a lot of time (or any money, thankfully, we don't have to pay anything as he dropped out within the first month).

 

So, back to the drawing board . He now thinks he wants to work "outdoors" - but where to start? We've suggested doing lots of voluntary work while he keeps on working at Sainsburys to beef his CV up and get an idea of which area he wants to work in. Not much effort being put into finding anything to date . I suspect some subtle nagging may have to start soon!

[JellyBean2605]

Sorry to hear that ANH, at least he found out early on. Hope he finds something soon

[Willow]

That's a shame but good he realised early and decided before the fees kicked in. Interesting that most were much older than him, it's a course I'd be interested in but part-time. Maybe I wouldn't be absolutely ancient No time to do a part time MSc with this current role though.

 

What was his first degree ?

 

It can be very difficult to find the right job, but yes a little nagging for hm to give something different a go is in order.

[gavclojak]

Gosh ANH isn't it stressful being a parent, but good on him for taking the decision early on, my daughter enjoyed Uni a little too much and was not turning up for lectures (in bed hung over) I didn't get wind of it until the second year as data protection wouldn't allow the Uni to discuss it with me.

Once I found out I gave her a month.....no improvement so I gave her another month to get a job and pay for herself, well that didn't happen so I turned up and collected her and her belongings and brought her a**e back home and she had to do a course at a London Uni, get a job and commute. All of which she did, but if did feel guilty!

 

At the moment in London there is a real drive for asbestos analysts and surveyors, my son is training and the £££ is good, he has a van and once qualified there will be plenty of work for him, more importantly for him, he is out and about somewhere different every day also what about The police?

 

Good luck, it can be Soul destroying when they are not motivated but he is probably a little disappointed in himself and the course. X

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Yes, I think the lack of motivation is becoming apparent now . He's quite comfy with his 12 hours a week at Sainsburys and plenty of time to do his running training. He's a sensible lad, great company and very helpful round the house so I don't want to give him a hard time (yet!) but I worry that a big gap in his CV won't look very good to an employer.

 

Hadn't considered the police . I'll suggest it to him.

 

Willow, his degree is a BSc(Hons) in Computer Science.

[Purplemaniacs]

Sorry to hear that ANH.

 

He sounds a very responsible sensible lad, I am sure he will find his way in time. It is no good continuing in something if you know deep down it isn't the right way to be going especially at his age.

 

Chrissie

[patsylabrador]

I was wondering if sports coaching would be something your boy would like esp with his background. ES got his qualifications and experience through quite a long and tortuous route after the army but my nephew is at university studying to be a sports coach. His interests are more athletics so different to ES.

I was wondering about SOCO work too, at least for a while https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/scenesofcrimeofficer.aspx

None of my four are in the work they started in, I think their interests just change as they change.

[sparkysmum]

Hadnt seen this ANH. Sorry too that it hasn't worked for him. Would he not consider Sports Science?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Yes, he did look at the sports post grad courses but most of the courses require you to have some sort of medical/science degree already. In any case, he now seems to have decided not to continue studying. Fair enough, I suppose, after 4 years but I'm struggling to get him enthused about anything else .

 

I suggested the police to him, PL, and he was quite interested but SOCO requires skills/experience he doesn't have.

 

I'll keep looking and gently nagging .

[gavclojak]

I do know how you feel, my daughter has a degree in criminology, sociology and psychology but is working in a supermarket, TBH I am proud of her work ethic, but I do wish she would use her education but she is a grown woman and its her choice now

[Geoid]

I suggested the police to him

If he doesn't want to go straight into the police, why not volunteer as a special constable? You gain valuable skills and if you dont like it, you can always leave without the hassle of quitting a full time job.

[Willow]

Whilst the post grad course may have not been right for him now the police really need people with good computer skills so he should be able to promote his first course as bringing valuable skills. For instance each police force has school liaison officers that help with cyber bullying issues but they often find the technology side a challenge. They also need people who can understand computer fraud.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I hadn't considered Special Constable .

 

I've had a quick look at their website and run it past ES who seems pretty keen to have a look into it . He fulfils all the requirements, especially the fitness but perhaps not life experience. The entrance tests look pretty easy as long as you don't panic!

 

Thanks so much for the suggestion, Fred, I'll report back how we get on . They are recruiting just now so the timing is perfect .

[Space Chick]

My Dad was a special constable for a number of years when we were small. He loved it

 

He also used to support a lot of sports games, so he got in to see rugby and football for free in his uniform

 

He was offered a job with the full time police, but as it would have involved relocating, he turned it down and continued his main job.

 

I wish your son luck with it

[Alis girls]

I feel for you. My ES at uni in first year at uni is struggling. Hes really low and I am worried sick. Hes brilliant at maths but the tutor isnt helpful and keeps marking him and others down and I am not sure of the pscycology of this but his confidence is in pieces. That and having to care for himself is making him stressed. He also had a heavy night on the tiles and probably drank too much and thats a depressive. On one hand I want to rush down and cuddle him and bring him home on the other he needs to get some help. Adv to seek out welfare? - possibly look at change in course and lay off the booze. Txt this am more positive - at gym which will help. Anyone else had an unhappy teen at uni. I hope your son sorts things out. Ali x

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sorry to hear that, Alli . It is a fine line between letting them sort it out themselves and rushing to their aid in full "mum" mode. I always think as long as they're communicating with you (even if it's to say they're miserable) that is a really good thing.

 

I'm sure he won't be alone - if he's happy to seek advice or even just chat with someone who can help him realise these feelings are really common, that might be all he needs?

[Alis girls]

Thanks ANH - I know I cant go rushing there, you are right if they are communicating thats good. I have seen so much depression in teens and as a sufferer I realise my boys are more suseptible. I can however empathise - at 18 when I was dropped in London (East End) to start nursing school I knew if I dropped out I probably wouldnt be allowed home - my mum was very harsh in many ways and I think reading between the lines I was a disappointment as never reached high ranks or married the handsome DR blah blah. My son knows whatever he decides we are 100% behind him. Its a tough world out there and a whole lot easier if you have support.

[Lewis]

Sorry to hear it wasn't for him Vicki but as you say at least he realised early on. There's nothing stopping him going and getting the industry experience and going back in 10 years, though it sounds as though he has a few other job ideas at the moment!

 

Ali - I guess he's got a combo of homesickness, Freshers flu and too much going out!

Speak to his tutor to see if they can offer any support or textbook suggestions that he can get to help him. I know when I was at school I was used to being spoon-fed with information whereas Uni is more more self-directed learning; he'll get out what he puts in.

 

See if he has Blackboard/Moodle/other where he can get the lecture slides beforehand, print them off and then annotate them in the lecture so he's adding to whats on the slides rather than copying all the slides down during the lecture

[Alis girls]

Thanks to both of you for your kind words, advice etc - Lewis he is using Blackboard already- thanks for telling me re Moodle (where do they get theses names?) - ANH - yup tough being a mum - but you cant wrap em in cotton wool - I have undone the apron strings and will just give support where due. Thanks Ali xxxx