Thinking about a major change in direction.

[Sam]

As Elvi says, really.

Doesn't matter if you don't use your degree, once you have it, you have it.

A degree done properly, by someone who's engaged in the course should teach you to think.

You won't learn that on an apprenticeship, you'll learn a trade instead.  Straight down the lines, not creative.  I think you'll realise you've made a huge mistake six months in, because you're more than that. 

If you place any value in doing a 'product design' degree then you should continue with it.  Is it BA or BSc?

Sorry, but 21 and only a year into your degree?  Where'd you waste two years already?

Points made about accidents are very valid, too.  Lose the physical ability and you've lost your income.  Being trained to think means you should be able to adapt.

I have a very good friend who did the same sort of wrestling with a similar choice two years into his psychology degree, about five years ago.  He finished his degree.  He then worked through a couple of quirky mechanics jobs and now runs his own garage and loves it.

You've started and made a three year commitment.  Shut up, man up and get on with it.

I 'waisted' two years doing an engineering degree for one year and then took a gap year to think about things where I did 3 months of fabrication (the job i do at the moment) and 7 months as an architectural assistant. Hated working in the office as a skivvy even though I was putting through minor drawings and planning appications, just got fat and bored - blew all my wages on beer and a golf. I then dissapeared to india for 2 months 

The degree I am doing is the top in the country, its always a tossup between brunell and loughborough. I fought off over 2000 aplicants to gain a place amongst 30 people. I was on the BSc course but changed to Ba this christmas, i really really struggled with the maths and a dyslexia test revealed that my maths is at a level that puts me in the bottom 20% in the country  :embarassed: in terms of ability due to severe Dyscalcular.

I am all too aware of the accidents, my boss has one arm - he broke it in 36 places on the rigs and chose to have it amputated welding up a pipe that had been 'de-pressurised'.

Same as elvi DH, this is what I want to hear 

[Jimp]

Both degree and trade will individually stand you in good stead.

But having them both will make you much better.

Stay the course and keep fabricating in the holidays.  You're 21 FFS!

Put yourself in the postion of a HR manager.  All those shiny degress but no work experience/practical knowledge.

Then your CV comes in.  Whoa, shiny degree and three years welding/fabricating/general iron mongery skilz' much WIN.

It would even give you a fanststic grounding should you start your own business.

Its all about adding value to your CV.  You'd be shoe in for small metal working design & fabrication business.

Jonathan.

This. For the love of god this.

[Sam]

Brilliant lads, thanks for all the help. I think I kinda new that quitting wasnt the best idea but wanted to make a change. Holiday fabrication and degree here I come 

[damien010685]

Go for it mate i work offshore allil say is to get on to rigs etc you just need experience... do the course  or whatever get a job wleding  for a year or 2 and apply to service companies... all il say is there are heaps of boys applying for the same jobs as i have heaps of welder/fabricator mates who struggle to find work offshore but work onshore but its not the same money....

Niice, I assume you live in aberdeen and do the north sea rigs. Im a long way off yet but wouldnt mind giving it a blast when the time comes.

Worldwide mate i go where they tell me! and its like any job has its ups and downs but you get to see the world lol but youl end up hating airports lol