UNI decision

[Leapers]

How do they expect you to make a career choice at 17 so you know what to pick to study at uni. i dont know what i want to do all i know is it is with the environment and animals i have chosen a few unis that i like and do courses that sound good but i dont want to sign my life away to a job i may not enjoy.

How do you decide what to do?

[Buenchico]

You're looking at it the wrong way round. You're currently trying to think of a career option and choose the course to suit that option. Try doing it the other way round:

First, think about all of the university courses that sound really interesting. Start here:
http://www.ucas.com/students/coursesearch/
Then get it down to a short list of courses that sound, really, really interesting.

Then, and only then, take a look at the possible careers that each of those courses could lead to. Use this website:
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_p age/Options_with_your_subject/p!eXbLc

Try to choose a course (from your 'really, really interesting' list) that offers several possible career routes that you might want to choose at a later date. (i.e. you're not making your career choice at 17 years old).

Lastly, opt for a university that's a considerable distance from home. (That's really important. You won't really get into, and fully enjoy, student life if your parents are pressurising you to go home every weekend). If you still can't decide which uni should be at the top of your list, choose the one which is in the most vibrant 'student city'.

Chris

[Lil O'lady]

Chris is right. It is important to choose a route of study that you will enjoy. It may have no bearing on how you ultimately earn your living. You may also decide to take some time out before you go to uni, to take stock of your situation. Many schools / colleges dissuade students from doing this because it looks bad on their score for getting uni places.

[Leapers]

Thanks chris that website was really helpful its got me looking at where degrees could take me.