I am currently on placement year as part of my accounting degree. I've only been there for just over a month but already have seen far too many spreadsheets!

Just before I started my degree I did some online career tests and accountancy was suggested by the majority. I researched it and it sounded right for me, that's why I'm in the midst of my degree in it!

But this placement marks the start of my third year out of 4 and I've just done the careers stuff again to see if things have changed based on my feelings about how things have gone so far, and accounting work was way down the list of suggestions!
Anyway, I've invested in some independent careers advice and the advisor has taken me through some psychometric testing and we've discussed my results, which so far seem to indicate a career advising people in some way. I go back to discuss my options on October 24th.

Anyway, the thrust of this thread is that if I am to change direction I don't know what to do about the rest of my degree. Yes, I can complete my final year and get the degree, and that will prove I can, but I already feel awkward doing accountancy and realising i probably won't be using it in the future.

I wondered if anyone had any advice or comment on this. I know getting the degree would help me prove myself to employers, but I'm not sure I will have the same determination to do well and do a good dissertation as I would have had before. Any ideas welcome!

Hi

I know i'm probably not the one to say this but my brother and also myself have been through the same sort of thing.

I studied for my A levels after I finished school. I got through my 1st year and decided that I didn't want to study Business and Finance or ICT. But I thought that if i carried it on for the 2nd year it would look good to my employers due to me being able to complete courses once I start them.

I completed my A levels and I may not use them now but at least it shows that I applied myself and completed courses that I don't really need now working in the Tourist industry.

My advise is to see it through else you will regret it later in life. Plus you will fell as though yuo have just wasted 2 - 3 years of your life.

Hope the advise helps

It's a tough one, it's easy to say just finish your degree off but there's so much work and effort involved and if your heart's not in it then it's difficult. But you don't have to go into accountancy after your degree - once you have a degree you can go into all sorts of unrelated jobs. hope that helps and good luck!
Neila

Hi, I'm just updating the situation.

I went to discuss my career options on October 24th, and, as I mentioned, the indications are that a career in advice work is for me. My top 3 options are independent financial acvisor, advice centre worker and adult guidance worker. I don't like the sound of independent financial advisor because the salary appears to be highly dependent on sales of financial products to clients. Advice centre worker is possible, but I really like the sound of adult guidance worker, advising people on their next stage, career or education. It's been a subject of great interest to me in the past and I really can see myself using it in a career.

I'm still looking at the possibility of transferring to a different course next year, one which will be relevant to my new career. The only undergraduate level one I can find is 2 at Northumbria University, one Disability Studies with Counselling, advice and guidance and the other Professional practice studies with counselling, advice and guidance.

Most entrants into this do so as a second career or graduate first, but I'd like to start from the basics with an undergraduate qualification, or if necessary an NVQ leading to a level 4 in advice and guidance.

Yes, I know this won't look as good as a degree on my CV and it'll mystify an employer as to why I changed tactics, but aIt's an option.

If anyoneknows any other routes, or knows of any undergrad level courses that might be relevant starting 2007, please let me know.

Grateful for your comments!

Thanks.

OK, I've found another undergraduate degree course, Human Services, based at my current University. It has an advice and guidance route in it, so pretty relevant. Trouble is having already had 3 years' student funding I can only get one more, and this would be for my final year, so I would have to get funding for my first 2. As a transfer, I could not get get the tuition fee loan or a maintenance grant either, only the student loan. I am not in a rich family so I don't think I could fund this unless there are alternative sources of tuition funding available. If anyone knows any, I'd be interested.

Went for another careers meeting on November 2nd, and found the Qualification in Careers guidance does not necessarily require a degree, you can go into it without one as long as you can demonstrate your ability to study at degree level 3 standard. So that's another option. That would be a 1 year professional diploma including 12 weeks work placement.

Alternatively thee's NVQ levels 3 and 4 in advice and guidance, which could be takn whilst training with Connexions anywhere in the UK.

I now need to research funding for these options.

My main problem though, is that some peopleare questionning whether I should finish my placement year or not. I think I should, and so does the careers advisor, to gain transferrable skills that can be used in any job, and money in the bank. A couple of my work colleagues have asked me this though, and a friend of mine thinks I shouldn't finish the placement but should withdraw completely before Christmas, and leave to get relevant work experience elsewhere until I can start the new course in September 07. Problem is, I don't want to have to face someone and tell them I'm quitting my job, I'd rather just write to them from home and send it in over a weekend and have it waiting for them, although that sounds cruel and impolite. Also the employer have been great at getting Access to Work involved, to provide equipment and services and funding as I am partially sighted. It would seem a shame to end it now that all the stuff is being applied for!

I'm gathering opinions again. Should I complete my placement just for the experience, or quit it and find more relevant experience, bearing in midn I will also have to find someone to take over my current accommodation and get everything out and take it home or somewhere else. Don't less this sway any advice you give though!

Any advice welcome, I really have no clue what to do with this and I need to do something soon for my own piece of mind.