It might seem counter intuitive for someone who worked so hard to get myself to university in order to get on in life, but I am one of a growing number of parents who see traditional higher education as no longer the only route for the next generation.
I was the first in my family to go to university, because I felt I had no real choice if I wanted to pursue a career. I don’t regret it – I love to learn, it did set me on my career path and I made lifelong friends.
So, why am I not recommending it for my daughter?
- Debt: I was left with five years of debt, even though I was the last intake of fee-free degrees. Now? The average student debt in the UK is ￡45,000.
- One size doesn’t fit all: As the parent of a daughter with ADHD and ASD, who is heading into her GCSE year, we are open in our approach to her future. Our advice is to choose the subjects you love and whatever she gets in her results is OK, as long as she tries. We won't be paying for grades, we won't be over her shoulder, we won't be applying undue pressure.
- Higher-education isn’t for everyone: College is our next big conversation, but we are working out the right path with her. Do we lean into her passions of drama and ancient history? Are A Levels the right choice, never mind uni? Should she just go off and start work? It’s about what’s best for the individual.
- What is best for her mental health? The stress and pressure of academic achievement is reaching new heights. Teen mental distress is now a known phenomenon, with this insightful New Yorker article outlining the many ways our teen population are coming under pressure: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/03/4-explanations-for-the-teen-mental-health-crisis.html
- Her potential is measured in more than grades. My daughter excels in kindness, goofy behaviour, creative writing, day dreaming, stories and imagination. How do we help her achieve potential, but without relying on grades to demonstrate that?
- Uni isn’t the only key to success: In my second job, I remember sitting in an early induction at Virgin and hearing that Richard Branson hadn’t gone to uni. He is very open about his dyslexia and calls it a superpower. Listening at the time, it struck me that perhaps I needn’t have bothered getting a degree.
- Degrees don’t get you the job, you do: Many people believe their degree will be the passport to a fulfilling career, but what they forget, is that it’s still up to them, on graduation, to actually go and get it.
So, for all the young people getting their A Level and GCSE results, please don’t despair if you didn’t do as well as you wanted. There is a wide world out there, where anyone can succeed and these exam ticks do not define who you are, or all that you can achieve. I have met far too many people on my journey, who have proved this point again and again.
What do you think – is uni the only route today?
Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Primark
1 年As I'm sure you know, I didn't go to uni. I could have, but I chose not to - something that many find baffling. I couldn't decide what to study, and although I kicked myself for a few years afterwards, I genuinely believe I got more out of the experience I gathered than I would have from a badly chosen degree. It certainly hasn't stopped me from having some pretty great jobs ??
Strategist, Storyteller, EDI Enthusiast. Director of Comms at National Emergencies Trust and Senior Campaigning Advisor at Lansons
1 年Couldn’t agree more with all of your rationale Kerry Parkin. Well said. Hats off (like your pic) to everyone who chooses that path and gets their degree. But we shouldn’t normalise it as the best path for everyone!
Finance Leader | Transformation | Change Leader | Ex-PwC, Costa Coffee, Moonpig, Majestic Wine | Listed and Private Equity | School Governor
1 年I too am a mum in a very similar situation and also feel very strongly about the next step and choices. This “system” isn’t for everyone and certainly doesn’t measure strengths of a different kind. Good luck navigating the next year/s and would be great to hear of the options you find.
Technology Director solving problems and driving efficiancy.
1 年Great read Kerry, on a very similar journey myself. Similar age daughter with same challenges. I didn’t go to Uni so can’t be a hypocrite from that perspective either but I had an in demand skill at the right time that it was an easy decision not to in 2000. My second job was also at Virgin, what are the chances ??
Helping organisations communicate better. Helping shape narratives and plans to support transformation and engagement. Author (not a 'guru'). Organising great community cycling events
1 年A really good read with questions which I suspect a lot of people are asking right now. I wish that my ADHD had been diagnosed before I headed off to Manchester - I think I might have explored other options. But because there wasn't a such a big price tag attached to Uni, it was a much easier choice to make; I had a blast and I learnt thinking skills which have served me well and I still have good friends today who I met there. But it was all a lot easier a million years ago. Student debt was not at all an issue if, like me, you got a full grant because you came from a single parent household and vacation jobs were plentiful. And I had at least 20 hours a week contact time with teachers who were not struggling below minimum wage in an institution that was cutting corners to make ends meet. I really think it's time that people talked about the range of options that young people really have and how we reduce the financial risk associated with taking the time out to explore other careers or learn.