Need Advice - Changing Course Halfway Through Degree

[_Jonesy]

Hey guys, I have a massive rift in my general happiness and wellbeing at the moment and I think I have found the source of the problem. Before you go running for the hills thinking this is some digital suicide note I was looking for advice related to having a shift in studying desires. It is a major decision for me though, being in my third of four years into a degree.

I am on a placement year at present at Northumbria University studying Quantity Surveying. I sort of enjoy the job, but my general motivation (and lack thereof) both on the job and course has plummeted and I just don't feel happy with the idea of being a QS for the next 40 years. I think it is really affecting my health now and just generally making me a little depressed.

I believe I chose the course because of three reasons. One is that I like the idea of building things, seeing them being developed and then built and the other is that I was always somewhat interested in working with moneys. Two is that it was a very good option in terms of income, travel (I could work abroad) and the fact I even got a scholarship with a top international firm. Three and perhaps the reason that it is affecting me so harshly is the pressure of my parents to succeed in a respectable field.

My issue? It bores me now I am on placement.

I've already made waves in the past about changing profession but I never knew what to. I knew I was creative and would rather end up in a managerial role, but in what industry. It then hit me that I could only think of one in which I would consider it both a career and a hobby, both work and recreation - video games design. I have always loved games, always wanted a crack at making them myself and crucially I would love to study it - I would be interested in it.

The problem is being in third year it makes logical sense to finish one degree before I start another, therefore having two degrees. They're both quite vocational as well so if the job fell through I'd not have a great deal of options. Also being 22 now I'd be old when I become qualified.

I'm a bit confused, can anybody help me?

 

[Novaboy]

I switched programs after 2 years and started over completely! I think if I was in your shoes I might finish what you have started as you are al most there. You are young so you have lots of time. Perhaps architecture? That would go well with quantitiy serveying. Good luck

 

[Novaboy]

PS, just saw your photos....There's always modelling and porn! (modelling would probably be a better choice! lol)

 

[deleted3782]

When I was a kid, we had a career day at my school, and a speaker (I am sure he was a parent) told my class "The worst way to live your life is waking up every day dreading your job. Do something that you love doing."

That is a noble proclamation, and it is one that I have followed all of my professional life to-date, but the reality is that sometimes the thing you love doing isn't practical...in terms of a saturated market or in terms of salary range. So...sometimes you need to balance your work-interests.

In today's workplace, people rarely hold the same job or job description for 40 years. Oftentimes they shift from like-skill to like-skill, morphing from architect to real estate developer to builder to financier. So my thought for you is to cast a broad net and try to learn as many skills as you can over the course of your lifetime. Look at the big picture, 10- 20- 30- years own the road, and how your skills might complement other different job descriptions.

Also look at volunteer and internship opportunities as ways that you can dip your toe in the water to see if you match with a profession. Maybe video game design sounds good, but once you enter into the field it might be tedious and boring...as an example.

A long time ago there was a movie called Auntie Mame that had a quote. Its corny, but its true. Try new things and don't box yourself in to too many commitments.

 

[Jason]

The world talks a lot about vocational degrees. In the UK, save for medicine/dentristry/nursing, I don't think many people actually work in the area where they have a degree. For example business studies isn't a particularly strong route into business. I think you need to distinguish between getting a degree and a career and realise that getting a QS degree doesn't have to mean you become a QS. But getting a degree in anything does help your work prospects (it is certainly better than a perceived drop out).

I think you need to decide just how badly you are disliking QS. You need to decide whether it is QS as such or whether it is the Northumbria experience of QS. You need to decide whether what you really dislike is the job or the academic work - if you are okay about the latter it might be easiest to finish the degree. You will have access to a university careers advisory service. Book an appointment and ask what sort of job you can reasonably do with a QS degree that is not QS. There will be answers. For example environmental planning work through local authorities certainly doesn't require a QS degree but it may see the skills as transferrable. You may also find lecturers are approachable and can suggest what you could do with a QS degree, or what students in previous years have done. Indeed university departments in the UK are now required to compile and make available first destination information, basically what job or course students get within 6 months of graduation, and you may find quite a lot of QS gradates do something else. Some unis have an academic mentor - if you have one arrange to see him/her.

A thought in passing is that a lot of work placements are pretty awful. Unis are not employment agencies and struggle to arrange them, and some placements really aren't good or reflective of real jobs.

 

[tbrguy]

All I know is - the computer gaming industry is VERY competitive.

If you haven't started writing your own stuff before now, I'd rate your chances - of breaking into the industry - as poor.

Not that I want to put you off, just a reality check.

My advice - finish the QS degree, you're so close now and as you say, the opportunities it will provide could lead to a very fulfilling career.

In the meantime, get coding...

There are loads of collaborative projects on the web you could get involved in, to see how you measure up, how quick you are on the uptake and to be honest - to see how you stack up against the competition.

 

[nudeyorker]

You should not spend the rest of your life doing something that you hate; but my advice is finish your degree and if necessary double major, and/or go for the post grad work in something better suited to your dreams.

 

[rbkwp]

Agree with others, persevere & complete this degree
Your young and plenty if time for another

2 egs
A friend everyone truly hated when 17 (negative overly boistrous behaviour) became double Trades qualified, with Adult apprenticeships, never looked back, and is now in retirement years working at something entirely different to the two trades he qualified in, over the last 20 odd years
This is after having several wives and a host of children / grandchildren
Shows what his wealth went into, great guy ha

Myself, never knew what i wanted till Travel and 27 years of age
Consider i was succesful in all the unqualified jobs i undertook, reaching middle management ( with no education- yes it can happen) in them all proved that, then i left the job to pursue similar / related

Think, you never know where your path in life is going to lead you,so in saying that i sort of consider where your at now, quite a minor hiccup, get over it, qualify with what you originally aimed for, then ...well see where that leads you, you may / may well not want to take on another study session.

Your young now, dont worry age will catch up with you no matter what you choose to do as a profession.
They say its always best to have something to fall back on, qualifying in this, should partially resolve the Parents expectation for you to achieve huh?
BEST to you ..

 

[_Jonesy]

Thank you all for the sympathetic and very helpful replies.

Finishing my degree is a no-brainer for me, even just having the degree will be invaluable to me. If I choose to get a second degree then so be it, can put off becoming older a little longer.

Video Game Design is just a first idea that interests me. I know where my main interests lie and it is definitely with technology. I am also creative, so design is a good way to look as well.

For whoever said Architecture I have looked into that at work myself and am not a huge fan of that idea either. I think I struggle to click with the industry. I have seen people higher up my path and it doesn't look enjoyable to me.

On the other hand in 18 months I may have a great opportunity with LOR still and choose to stay, who knows. But I know I want to do something that I love doing.

tbrguy - unfortunately I have always been pressured into finding the best job as possible in a field around finance or law as my family would appreciate. I think I have always had a desire towards games etc but never explored it due to the pre-mentioned reasoning. Would you say it is too late now?

Personally the programming comes almost second to me and I prefer the idea of being the creative guys who dream the games. I don't know how the processes work though.

As I said it is all confusing but what I do know is that if I do this for 30-40 years I will probably not enjoy it.

 

[Novaboy]

It's harder when you are young to not fall victim of family pressure, but it's your life. You have to make the decisions not you. Too many people go into careers they don't want because of family demands. Be polite but firm. It's your life, not theirs.

 

[tbrguy]

tbrguy - unfortunately I have always been pressured into finding the best job as possible in a field around finance or law as my family would appreciate. I think I have always had a desire towards games etc but never explored it due to the pre-mentioned reasoning. Would you say it is too late now?

I don't know if it is too late.

I have no way to judge to your latent talent or commitment.

That's why I suggested you try to get involved in some collaborative effort, so you can see what sort of level the other people - whose lifetime ambition it is to be a professional games programmer/designer - are at.

 

[_Jonesy]

Thanks man. Can you think of any examples to where to find such collaborations?