jad n rich

One of the boys has been offered BA Health Science (Paramedic) at Victoria University - St Albans campus.

He has offers in 2 States and is only 17, having a hard time making a final decision.

Does anyone have any feedback, experience or even a teen studying at this UNI.

thanks

carolinephillips

Congrats to the lad. How close does he want to be to home??

GarryP

A few pointers:

Victoria University is probably what we would have called a Polytechnic - definitely at that end of the scale. However this is a poly type qualification, so not necessarily a bad thing.

Paramedic as a career is stressful and not particularly well paid. There are also more graduates of such uni courses than their are graduate positions - you still need to do practical time. Overall it's not one of those jobs that's likely to go away, but also not one that's likely to make you rich.

In theory, at least outside Oz, there was a push to upskill the ambulance driver/paramedic to more medically qualified levels over time - which suggests that more medical quals would gain value over time.

jad n rich

Thanks for the replies so far. we keep hearing in Victoria its all about the prestige of the UNI you go to and that will matter when you go for employment. Victoria University is NOT one the the G8 in OZ. The snob factor seems to continue on from the obsession with private schools.

I think with UNI any course there will be far far more grads than jobs, look at law for example. The UV website claims 76% employment rate 4 months after grad, mind you they could be back at maccas

The other option is the new university SCU in QLD. It ranks above the vic uni but nowhere near the top 8 either.

He has family in QLD and VIC, his brother works for Virgin at Tullamarine so St albans is very local.

Another prob is he only is just turned 17, kids in vic grad high school 18+later. In qld a few others would be that young too.

Got till thurs to decide.

GarryP

I've never considered Oz universities to have much cred, certainly outside the G8. They are diploma factories for SE Asia students it seems, with the added advantage of a possible visa at the end of it.

Just saying that the combo of low salaries and an uncertain employment prospects isn't a great mix. At least law has the high salary upside! BTW University employment stats are very dodgy - "would you like fries with that" jobs are certainly included.

Of the two, I'd be inclined to say that Victoria looks a better bet than SCU, but there's not much in it. I'd certainly include as a major factor the living expenses of the two options when making a choice.

If your child is 17 when the compatriots are 18+, is there not an option of a gap year? There are lots of ways you can turn that to your advantage in the job/employability/growing up stakes - I tend to suggest like Paul Allen, it's the idea time to start a company and learn the ropes. Also give this article a read : http://www.economist.com/news/leader...-country-ready

jad n rich

I am fully for the Gap year given his very young age, but he just wants to get going

The A Team

Don't worry too much about him only being 17. My son was only 17 when he started at the University of Melbourne having moved here from Townsville. He fitted in just fine and there were others of a similar age although most were already 18. I don't know much about either of those Uni's but don't let his age influence the decision if he has family near both.

goldchoccycoin

I work in a different area (science related) and the SCU students we get are significantly below par compared to their cohorts from QUT, UQ etc. Can't comment on the Paramedic course though. Hope he enjoys his Uni experience wherever he ends up - best years of my life!

Famous 5

I can't offer advice on the uni, but I do have experience of the age issue.

My daughter started at USyd last year and turned 17 only a week before she moved. Her other preference was Melbourne, so either option involved an interstate move and we have no relatives in Australia beyond our immediate family unit, although her father is often in Sydney on business. Like your son, she just wanted to get on with things rather than take a gap year.

Don't underestimate what a big step moving interstate is at such a young age - there are emotional and practical issues to deal with. It can also be difficult for the parents trying to give support on the phone/skype, plus it's not so easy (or cheap) to go home for the weekend when it involves getting a flight.

Another problem was not being able to participate in all social events, particularly as she lives in one of the university colleges where there is quite a party culture. However, there were plenty of non-drinking activities on offer. Overall she had a successful year and it can't have been too bad as she's returning at the beginning of March.

Whichever option your son chooses, I hope it all goes well for him and for you.

bitzenpces

If SCU isn't considered much better than VU, then I think that I would prefer my 17 year old to stay at home. Uni involves a lot of work and organisation and he would get a lot of support from you if he lived at home. Apart from laundry and meals, there is the emotional support you provide, and that's priceless.

jad n rich

Thanks for the replies.

This morning we were all sorted, Victoria, now this evening teen is major depressed about leaving friends.

Everyone says, school friends go their own ways once in UNI, try telling that to a 17 year old.

Its also 36C which makes everything exhausting, let alone major life decisions.

The teen years are one difficult time.

GarryP

Thinking that far back you can basically say goodbye to all your school friends. Everyone moves in such different directions that you can almost guarantee most of your school friends will be acquaintances at best, that you might say hi to if you met them when you go home for the holidays.

As a balance to that, fresher week is an orgy of meeting new friends and new vistas opening - and an orgy in other ways as well if you're lucky.

It's one of them there 'rites of passage' times.

Give your little darling a slap about the face. Moving from school to college is the point where you stop playing around as a kid and need to start some careful strategic thinking as an adult - coupled with hard, directed, work. Going in with the right attitude is somewhat key - another good reason for a gap year if the headspace isn't right. University ISN'T school - and most don't really get that.

jad n rich

You are absolutely correct.

I read the dropout rate for first year uni is 40%, sounds rather high? however I doubt most kids setting off for UNI have any idea what they are really getting into.

Thumbs up to the kids who can make the correct decision with only school ( as life experience ) .

Lot to be said for the Gap year, if its used to get life experience.

irishbloo

Best of luck to your young lad.It is a major step for him and all teens.We will have all this next year ,please God.My husband has already reminded her that it is unlikely she will stay friends with many of her school friends all they will all move in different paths.

bitzenpces

This tends to happen between primary and high schools, so they have a bit of preparation beforehand.