How did you decide which course to do at college?

[Star Gazer]

Have you taken the Myers-Briggs test? That'll give you a good place to start in terms of careers that you would enjoy... and you can pick a course of study geared towards that end.

[Ross MwcFan]

I'd just like to say thanks for everyone's support, I really really appreciate it.

 

Sorry that I've not responded to a lot of the posts on here yet, but I will do.

[runner]

I want to get a career that I'd enjoy, and I know that to do this I'll probably need to do a course at college.

 

So I thought I could look at what courses are available at a college near to me, and pick something that sounds appealing, that way, the kind of job or jobs that I could get from doing that course would probably be jobs that I'd enjoy doing.

 

The trouble is though, is that I'm not sure what kinds of jobs I could get for any particular course that I end up getting qualifications for.

 

So, I don't know what to do now. I mean I don't want to do a course if it doesn't help me to get a job that I'd like.

 

find someone (or people) you admire and who do the type of work you could see yourself doing someday. talk to them, find out what motivates them and how they arrived at where they are now. it should soon become obvious to you where you should be in college if you decided to sit in a class room. never do so for the sake of sitting in one. /cheers

[Ross MwcFan]

If you continually ask the question, "why not"?, you will only find answers to that question. A passion begs the question, "How too"?

 

I'll try and remember that, thanks.

[Ross MwcFan]

Have you ever tried just googling websites that ask for your preferences/personality and then come up with suggestions for you?

 

I dunno, Ross, this sounds an awful lot like hand-holding to me. People aren't generally going to give you a step-by-step answer to your questions, not IRL and not on the forums. I'm sorry to sound harsh, but your questions sound a lot like you haven't done any legwork yourself, and don't intend to. A habit that you may possibly want to break out of, and the earlier the better.

 

I think I've done that before, I can't quite remember. Right now I'll just concentrate on seeing what courses I'd enjoy doing.

 

You should take courses that interest you with an eye toward what field you want to work in. You said working at a hospital might interest you. Why not intern or ask to shadow some one in that field. You could also take a psychology course just for fun. Usualy the psychology course can can't toward a filler credit even if its not your major.

 

What does that mean?

 

Just chill on the parking. At the very worst park a distance away on the first day and walk. Then explore the campus and find out.

 

Thanks, I guess I could try that, but I'm still worried that I wont know how to work out which car park is for the college. Sure I could ask for directions in the college, but I'll still probably not be able to feel 100% sure if I'm parking in the right car park or not.

 

Have you taken the Myers-Briggs test? That'll give you a good place to start in terms of careers that you would enjoy... and you can pick a course of study geared towards that end.

 

 

I think I have done, but I'm sure it didn't give me any career ideas.

I'll have to try again, once I've looked into all of the courses that are available.

 

find someone (or people) you admire and who do the type of work you could see yourself doing someday. talk to them, find out what motivates them and how they arrived at where they are now. it should soon become obvious to you where you should be in college if you decided to sit in a class room. never do so for the sake of sitting in one. /cheers

 

This is why I'm stressing about not knowing what would be the best course to take, I mean, I need to make sure that I would be able to get a job that I'd like from the qualifications that I'd get, otherwise I would've just wasted my time, money and effort. And I would've put myself through a lot of stress and anxiety for no reason.

Edited January 11, 2012 by Ross MwcFan

[Ross MwcFan]

How important are GCSE's (they're grades that we get in the UK after finishing school)?

 

I got really bad grades at school (not because i wasn't intelligent enough, but I just never bothered at school).

 

I take it, that if I went to college, re-do my GCSE's and get good grades, that that would open up a LOT more career oportunities for me?

 

Maybe re-doing my GCSE's would be the best thing to do?

 

*EDIT*

 

*Sigh* Forget the GCSE's, it seems I wouldn't be 'qualified' enough to do them.

 

So bizarre that you need to be qualified enough in the subjects in order to take the courses.

 

Here's what it says for maths, the other subjects say pretty much the same thing,

 

What do I need to get on the course?To gain entry onto this course you must attend an interview where you will be assessed on your suitability for the course. Students must have achieved a Grade D in Maths within the last two years or alternatively complete a diagnostic test to a satisfactory standard. The diagnostic will be assessing your basic number skill including fraction and percentages, it will also test your ability to comprehend and answer a practice exam question including problem solving.

You will be invited to interview or diagnostic session by letter based on your application form, the interview will take place through July, August and early September. During the interview you must show you are committed to the work - the successful students are those who attend regularly and complete the set homework. You must also show you have a clear need for the course such as a requirement for a job or another course. Additional support is provided at workshops and most students need the equivalent of 2-4 hours of supported self-study per week.

If you are unsuccessful during this selection process then you will be referred back to Student Services for further advice.

Edited January 11, 2012 by Ross MwcFan

[Ross MwcFan]

Why can't I ever get anywhere with anything?

 

It's like I'm just doomed or something and there's nothing I can do about it.

 

I ****ing hate life and I want to die

[anne1707]

Ross

 

Don't get so stressed about your grades. Colleges often are less focussed on past grades for mature students - they will make allowances for someone who they see as maybe more committed to the course than a school leaver. Don't give up without speaking to someone at the college. Another option to consider is the Open University - they have courses at various levels and are definitely flexible on past academic achievements.

[Els]

I don't see why not re-do your GSCE, if needed.

 

Thanks, I guess I could try that, but I'm still worried that I wont know how to work out which car park is for the college. Sure I could ask for directions in the college, but I'll still probably not be able to feel 100% sure if I'm parking in the right car park or not.

 

One thing at a time. Focus on choosing the course, getting into university, etc, and worry about the small details like car parking when you get to it. Seriously. I went to university in a brand new country and took the bus the first day so I could ask the student affairs about how parking would go. They usually tell you during orientation anyway.

[runner]

I got really bad grades at school (not because i wasn't intelligent enough, but I just never bothered at school).

 

and this is why i said what i did earlier. college means jumping through a lot of hoops, Ross, and if you aren't self-motivated before you even walk into the class room you'll encounter the same problems you did before. i've never once thought you were unintelligent from the way you write on here, so that's obviously not the problem. like i said earlier, you need to define the experience for yourself; what is it exactly that you will take away from college/uni experience, that makes you want to get out of bed in the morning ?

 

i see how you're worried about future employment. fair enough, it's a very valid reason to worry- something we all worry about to some extent ! but let me tell you this: talent and skill (ie, brain power, IQ, etc) will only take you so far. you know what impresses me most when i hire people ? a genuine sense of personality and character; the ability to draw from a place of true inspiration; and how genuinely passionate the person is about what it is they do. and trust me, you don't necessarily need an 'education' to achieve those things.

[Ross MwcFan]

and this is why i said what i did earlier. college means jumping through a lot of hoops, Ross, and if you aren't self-motivated before you even walk into the class room you'll encounter the same problems you did before. i've never once thought you were unintelligent from the way you write on here, so that's obviously not the problem. like i said earlier, you need to define the experience for yourself; what is it exactly that you will take away from college/uni experience, that makes you want to get out of bed in the morning ?

 

i see how you're worried about future employment. fair enough, it's a very valid reason to worry- something we all worry about to some extent ! but let me tell you this: talent and skill (ie, brain power, IQ, etc) will only take you so far. you know what impresses me most when i hire people ? a genuine sense of personality and character; the ability to draw from a place of true inspiration; and how genuinely passionate the person is about what it is they do. and trust me, you don't necessarily need an 'education' to achieve those things.

 

That hopefully I would be able to get a career that I really enjoy at the end of it, or at least a job that I would find bearable.

 

I would also say a girlfriend/relationship/sex, but let's face it, it's so obvious that that would never happen, it is me we're talking about after all, I doubt any of the girls there would even notice me.

[DonJuanInc]

I'm quite interested in psychology too, but I think the only kinds of jobs that you could get through that, would be like being a therapist, psychologist, or councellor, which I wouldn't be interested in doing.

 

I kind of like the idea of working in a hospital too.

 

You could do I/O psych, which is basically optimizing work productivity. Highest paying field aside from private practice.

 

An undergrad psych degree doesn't allow you to do much; I have a BA now and I'm applying the knowledge and experience gained while in school to my dating consulting company rather than work for $20 an hour somewhere. In Canada you need a PhD to be a licensed therapist, psychologist etc. so I still have another 3 years of grad school to go.

 

Psych is a really strong undergrad degree if you're looking to springboard into things like law or med school, and a psych major / sociology minor is great for careers in HR, public relations, or even mid-upper level corporate management.

 

The best answer is obviously to go with what you're passionate about, but if you aren't sure start undeclared in general studies and take a breadth. You can do 10 courses per year in most universities so you could really get a taste of everything: take some economics, literature, second language, fine arts, psychology, sociology, philosophy etc. then major in whatever you enjoy the most.

 

EDIT: Saw your most recent post and you have some seriously unhealthy beliefs man. I'd really like to Skype with you for a bit, these are things that can be resolved. (no charge)

Edited January 13, 2012 by DonJuanInc

[runner]

That hopefully I would be able to get a career that I really enjoy at the end of it, or at least a job that I would find bearable.

 

I would also say a girlfriend/relationship/sex, but let's face it, it's so obvious that that would never happen, it is me we're talking about after all, I doubt any of the girls there would even notice me.

 

hence the problem. ... when i said 'exactly' earlier i meant that literally. you're still being quite vague about the specifics. what i want to hear from you would be something like, "i think it would be super cool to count all of the crocodiles in the amazon" or "i'm so sick about how the tube is so damn slow in the mornings- i want to fix that !!!" ...things of that nature. hence, in your mind, you can't even get any sleep because the tube lines are still running too damn slow

 

now. you. try.

 

and give yourself a break whilst you're at it. you don't have to have this stuff figured out immediately; you have time. 36 is just a number. read books, talk to people, travel and let yourself go into the wild. it will come to you eventually.

[HeavenOrHell]

You remind me of me at times, or how I used to be, always thinking of all the things which could go wrong, so I hardly ever went out the front door as I'd catastrophise about what horrors could happen, it made me depressed and more anxious thinking that way, the biggest turning point for me was when my LTR ended and I sank into a very bad depression, after a few months of grieving I though no-one can get me through this, I didn't have much support anyway, I felt pretty much alone, but even with support we have to put the hard work in ourselves. It got to the point I said to myself I've got to push through this and move on, or I could feel like this indefinitely. I did force myself to keep busy even straight after the break up, and go to (voluntary) work, that helped get me through too, but I had to tackle the horrible emotions in my head, they're what I felt could go on for as long as I let them.

 

Also, I could sit at home feeling lonely cos my social life wasn't great, or I could get out there and meet new people. I made myself do things I find scary (I have social phobia and mild agoraphobia, and health problems related to them), including new voluntary work, also started a r/ship with someone in another country, and AMAZED myself and everyone else, by travelling there, never been abroad before because of my fears, (except over 20 years ago, a brief trip with friends), found it hard to go out of my own town even, so for me it was a breakthrough. I've now been there several times.

This doesn't mean I don't still get anxious or that there are some things I can't tackle (yet), but I realised how boring/depressing my life was while I held myself back and worried about tiny details, now I'm much more likely to think, yes I'll do it, or at least give it a try, and put the fears to one side, if the fears come I talk rationally to myself.

 

I think we all have things we find impossible to do, mine are flying and I never learnt to drive and realistically I probably never will, but never say never! Some people will never be able to white water raft or bungee jump (me included!), I'm learning to work out what I can realistically achieve right now, rather than beating myself up for the things I feel I can't do (yet, if ever), I'm concentrating on the things I feel I can do if I put the effort in.

 

Bottom line; YOU need to make changes yourself, no-one can do it for you.

Stop putting barriers up in front of yourself so much, stop thinking of all the reasons you can't do something and think more about how making these changes will benefit you. Yes, it's scary, but if you don't take the plunge you could stay stuck forever.

If you find driving too overwhelming at the moment, try taking short trips by bus or train, I had to do this to overcome my fears. Have you talked to your GP or therapist as there may be someone who can help with these things, someone who can go with you the first few times?

Break it all down into bite size pieces and work at tackling just one thing.

[Ross MwcFan]

You could do I/O psych, which is basically optimizing work productivity. Highest paying field aside from private practice.

 

An undergrad psych degree doesn't allow you to do much; I have a BA now and I'm applying the knowledge and experience gained while in school to my dating consulting company rather than work for $20 an hour somewhere. In Canada you need a PhD to be a licensed therapist, psychologist etc. so I still have another 3 years of grad school to go.

 

Psych is a really strong undergrad degree if you're looking to springboard into things like law or med school, and a psych major / sociology minor is great for careers in HR, public relations, or even mid-upper level corporate management.

 

The best answer is obviously to go with what you're passionate about, but if you aren't sure start undeclared in general studies and take a breadth. You can do 10 courses per year in most universities so you could really get a taste of everything: take some economics, literature, second language, fine arts, psychology, sociology, philosophy etc. then major in whatever you enjoy the most.

 

EDIT: Saw your most recent post and you have some seriously unhealthy beliefs man. I'd really like to Skype with you for a bit, these are things that can be resolved. (no charge)

 

Hey man, thanks for the Skype offer. I don't quite feel that comfortable talkng on Skype, but I'll have a think about it. However, if you're wanting to try and help me get women, then there's no point, as I'm not even anywhere near the right kind of stage to tackle that.

 

As for psychology, I just had a look on the website for the college, and it says that to do the course you must have at least six GCSEs at grades A to C, including both English and Maths required. And that entry criteria for all qualifications are subject to a reference from your previous school or place of study.

 

So it looks like I wont be able to do that as all of my grades are bad (and beleive it or not, to go to this college to get better grades you've already got to have good grades. I'm not sure if it would be any different at any other colleges, but any other colleges are really far away from me). And my reference from my previous school would NOT be good at all, since I just never bothered at school.

Edited January 13, 2012 by Ross MwcFan

[anne1707]

Ross

 

Have you actually spoken to anybody at the college yet rather than just looked at the website? You will be able to get a much better idea of what is needed/can be done if you speak to one of the tutors or somebody in admissions.

[Ross MwcFan]

Ross

 

Have you actually spoken to anybody at the college yet rather than just looked at the website? You will be able to get a much better idea of what is needed/can be done if you speak to one of the tutors or somebody in admissions.

 

So I should ask them what other ways there are of getting better grades?

[anne1707]

So I should ask them what other ways there are of getting better grades?

 

No. You should start off by asking them whether you can enrol on your course of choice with your current qualifications as a mature student. If not, then discuss with them what recommendations they have for getting you suitably qualified to get on that course. It may be that they have a more flexible set of requirements for a mature student compared to a school leaver.

[Ross MwcFan]

No. You should start off by asking them whether you can enrol on your course of choice with your current qualifications as a mature student. If not, then discuss with them what recommendations they have for getting you suitably qualified to get on that course. It may be that they have a more flexible set of requirements for a mature student compared to a school leaver.

 

Okay, I'll try that once I've read all of the courses that are avaialable there.

[Ross MwcFan]

hence the problem. ... when i said 'exactly' earlier i meant that literally. you're still being quite vague about the specifics. what i want to hear from you would be something like, "i think it would be super cool to count all of the crocodiles in the amazon" or "i'm so sick about how the tube is so damn slow in the mornings- i want to fix that !!!" ...things of that nature. hence, in your mind, you can't even get any sleep because the tube lines are still running too damn slow

 

now. you. try.

 

and give yourself a break whilst you're at it. you don't have to have this stuff figured out immediately; you have time. 36 is just a number. read books, talk to people, travel and let yourself go into the wild. it will come to you eventually.

 

Okay. I'd love to work with animals with really nice people, in a really nice place, like LA for example. And there's a hot girl there who is attracted to me, and we both end up as boyfriend and girlfriend.

 

And I'd like us to sun bathe on the beach together.

[runner]

Okay. I'd love to work with animals with really nice people, in a really nice place, like LA for example. And there's a hot girl there who is attracted to me, and we both end up as boyfriend and girlfriend.

 

And I'd like us to sun bathe on the beach together.

 

now you're talkin. even as sarcasm, it still works. /cheers

[Ross MwcFan]

now you're talkin. even as sarcasm, it still works. /cheers

 

I was being serious.

[danmorisson]

I was being serious.

 

That was funny

[FitChick]

Ross, why don't you go to your local veterinary hospital and ask what sorts of jobs you could do? Even volunteer to see if you'd like that environment. A friend of mine wanted to become a vet but after working for one, she said she couldn't stand the idea of hurting animals to help them and she didn't like the sight of blood. End of that idea but she saved a fortune.

 

Plenty of jobs don't need a university degree but you need to be skilled -- mechanic, welder, heating technician. Don't job centers have some sort of aptitude tests to see what sorts of jobs would suit you?

 

How about transportation -- drive a bus or lorry or even a taxi?

 

How about something with the NHS? They are the biggest employer in the UK I think. Even if it's just cleaning the hospital wards. You might become interested in becoming a medical technician or something similar. Just being in that environment you could see what sort of jobs people did.

Edited January 14, 2012 by FitChick

[Ross MwcFan]

 

That was funny

 

How come?