Training Suggestions for 21 Year-Old Son

[budfox]

Pinger23 said:

http://www.neilson.co.uk/recruitment/summer/hotel-...

If I could go back I'd like to do a ski season - its a bit late for ski but what about summer?
I always book skiing with Neilson and the young staff are fantastic, they work really hard but look like they enjoy it.
Would he like to try working in a different environment/country but still be a chef?

That's another fair suggestion, but he does have a girlfriend here in the UK (she's at Bath Uni, we live in Somerset). They like to see each other fairly regularly of course. Once she's completed her degree I think such things might be more attractive.

Thanks for that.

[budfox]

DuraAce said:

Chef? Has he thought about joining the armed forces? Lots of opportunities.....

There was a time was he was pretty certain he wanted to join the armed forces but without a degree he'd be going in as infantry and whilst he'd cope with the training I don't think it's something he's prepared to do.

I'll be honest and say that had he passed three A-levels he *might* have gone to Uni and would probably have got a degree. The problem though would be that he'd most likely have achieved an 'average' degree in a subject like Geography and he really didn't want 30k of debt hanging over him. There's nothing academic that he's passionate about, and I think you've got to have passion for something when studying to that level.

These are all very insightful and helpful suggestions though, which he will be made aware of. For now I think he'll keep his options open and work hard at being a chef, and do some of his own research.If it were me at 21, I'd be all over the skiing/holiday rep stuff but he's very much a home-loving lad and not really a party type.

Once again, thanks to you all.

[DuraAce]

budfox said:

There was a time was he was pretty certain he wanted to join the armed forces but without a degree he'd be going in as infantry and whilst he'd cope with the training I don't think it's something he's prepared to do.

He'd only go in as infantry if he joined the Army. Other options are available.

[Celt]

I'd echo the comments about not pushing people to get a degree. So much is focussed on going to uni throughout school, parents and family. . I think it might help you get an interview for the low end jobs and you can progress from there. But it's not the golden ticket it once was. Looking at articles about graduate employability it looks like the market is saturated with poor graduates. The 'soft skills' needed for speaking to clients, interacting with staff and the drive to finish a job are becoming more sought after than a piece of paper. Obviously if a degree is a prerequisite of employment in a particular industry it is needed. Otherwise I don't think working in a stressful environment like the kitchen is possibly an advantage over a mediocre degree.

In saying that, I came out of school with poor grades. Wouldn't have got into uni with my highers. I am slightly dyslexic and I think it hindered me more than it should have I became disinterested, lazy and my results reflect it. Since coming out of school I went to college got an HNC, and 2 law degrees come May. So just because your son wasn't academic in college shouldn't put him off pursuing it now. But again I wouldn't see not having a degree as a massive drawback.

I'm 24 and will be in a similar situation to your son in the summer. I'm don't have a traineeship lined up and so will be looking at other industries. I'm desperate to work and prove myself outside of university, and hoping I haven't wasted my time. Good luck to your son.

[98elise]

budfox said:

944fan said:

I started as a developer and am now IT Director. Worked in development for about 11 years, then senior and upwards. Some places will demand a degree but my view is they are not very good for something practical like IT. I have seen two many grads who have the academic IT knowledge but cannot apply it to the real world.

Networks in an area that is a but more hands on science type. Not something I know a great deal about but there a plenty of industry qualifications that can be got (CCNP, A+) which will be favoured over and above a degree.

There is also the IT Apprenticeships. Not had any experience as yet but might be taking one on in the future.

There is a big skills gap in IT but there is also a massive lack of people with a personality. A few years ago developers were locked in a room and didn't speak to anyone outside of the IT department. These days they sometimes need to be client facing and certainly need to interact with the entire workforce so having a personality can be just as important.

Thanks for that. He'll read this thread later but my feeling is very much that he's not the IT sort. I know that's a bit of a sweeping statement but then again, who knows?...

Consider Business Analysis (BA). Its a far less techie than most roles. Its basically taking users software needs and working them into specifications that a developer can build.

Professional qualifications are ISEB, and Prince2. Both are not that hard to achieve, and you don't need a degree. The pay is good but contracting would see £400 per day (its what I do)

[davepoth]

Something in IT (even if not coding) is a smart move. To be honest, anyone in any job at all should be thinking about learning how to program if they want to get ahead in future; there's a big change coming.

[budfox]

I'm really very grateful for all of this help. I won't keep posting "thank you" but everything really will be considered and is certainly much appreciated.

[worsy]

98elise said:

budfox said:

944fan said:

I started as a developer and am now IT Director. Worked in development for about 11 years, then senior and upwards. Some places will demand a degree but my view is they are not very good for something practical like IT. I have seen two many grads who have the academic IT knowledge but cannot apply it to the real world.

Networks in an area that is a but more hands on science type. Not something I know a great deal about but there a plenty of industry qualifications that can be got (CCNP, A+) which will be favoured over and above a degree.

There is also the IT Apprenticeships. Not had any experience as yet but might be taking one on in the future.

There is a big skills gap in IT but there is also a massive lack of people with a personality. A few years ago developers were locked in a room and didn't speak to anyone outside of the IT department. These days they sometimes need to be client facing and certainly need to interact with the entire workforce so having a personality can be just as important.

Thanks for that. He'll read this thread later but my feeling is very much that he's not the IT sort. I know that's a bit of a sweeping statement but then again, who knows?...

Consider Business Analysis (BA). Its a far less techie than most roles. Its basically taking users software needs and working them into specifications that a developer can build.

Professional qualifications are ISEB, and Prince2. Both are not that hard to achieve, and you don't need a degree. The pay is good but contracting would see £400 per day (its what I do)

Another IT Bod with no degree here. Started on Help Desks and moved into 2nd line support of databases. Spent a few years doing that then worked in Service Management doing the ITIL thing.

Got into support and devlopment of Service Management Tools, and went from corporate to consultancy to contracting.

Now do a bit of everything, Solutioning, Customising, Project Management, Team Lead, anything for the $

[944fan]

98elise said:

Consider Business Analysis (BA). Its a far less techie than most roles. Its basically taking users software needs and working them into specifications that a developer can build.

Professional qualifications are ISEB, and Prince2. Both are not that hard to achieve, and you don't need a degree. The pay is good but contracting would see £400 per day (its what I do)

Good shout. Again a BA with a bit of personality will go far. Full time salaries are not as high but contract rates are good. A good BA is worth their weight in gold, a bad one is worse than useless.

If you go down this route you may wish to consider (and this is purely my own suggestion and by no means a requirement) doing a programming course as well. Having the understanding of what it takes to make a computer do what you want it to do and what the developers will require will make you a much better BA.

[Foliage]

budfox said:

There was a time was he was pretty certain he wanted to join the armed forces but without a degree he'd be going in as infantry and whilst he'd cope with the training I don't think it's something he's prepared to do.

Are you sure?

https://www.army.mod.uk/rolefinder/role/26/chef

[mph1977]

Foliage said:

budfox said:

There was a time was he was pretty certain he wanted to join the armed forces but without a degree he'd be going in as infantry and whilst he'd cope with the training I don't think it's something he's prepared to do.

Are you sure?

https://www.army.mod.uk/rolefinder/role/26/chef

any of the forces will jump at an all ready qualified chef for regular or reserve service

[budfox]

Very interesting, and once again "thank you".

[ecsrobin]

mph1977 said:

Foliage said:

budfox said:

There was a time was he was pretty certain he wanted to join the armed forces but without a degree he'd be going in as infantry and whilst he'd cope with the training I don't think it's something he's prepared to do.

Are you sure?

https://www.army.mod.uk/rolefinder/role/26/chef

any of the forces will jump at an all ready qualified chef for regular or reserve service

However I know numerous chefs within the services and whilst they enjoy field catering and the posh dining nights the rest of the year it's mass cooking of an average quality.

On the plus side it's a lot of money and a great lifestyle. But it is going civilian and I believe in the UK there are now only 2 bases that are military catering and the rest are now civilian contractors. However they still need chefs as civilians don't like cooking in a field or in a war zone surprisingly. I certainly look back at the years I did and don't regret them for a second and I certainky think they developed me into a better person.

[dave_s13]

Interesting thread. I'm 38 and wouldn't mind a change of career that brought in some more cash.

I started out using IT heavily (cad) then supporting the gear we used. Then moved into health care (patient facing clinician) but have been quite influential in the implementation of a new electronic record system to fit our needs. This involved being the interface between end users and the guys that put the system together. Enjoyed it!

Currently in a very secure NHS salaried position, which has its benefits, but I wouldn't half mind having some more earning potential available. Progression in the NHS is severely restricted presently and into the long term by the look of it.

[16plates]

I say it in every thread of this nature but seriously look into the Merchant Navy training schemes.

Paid to complete a degree (marine engineering/marine elec. engineering/marine ops(navigation etc...)
Tax free salary when qualified (starting around 28k)
Travel the world
Meet some amazing people
Shag said people
Spend 6 months of the year at home, or travelling more or doing whatever he wants.

It's a great career, i'm glad I found it when I did.