Should I go to uni?

[Waspy]

I'll try and keep this short ish. 18 left sixth form with reasonable A levels in Maths, Business and IT, took a year to enjoy myself, road trip around america etc etc etc. Got home without a clue what I wanted to do, knowing that uni was a waste at the time as any course chosen would have been a stab in the dark. So I sold my soul to the highest bidder. Who was a large accountancy firm, who I am now training with. And boy, I struggle to see how I could hate something more. It's a 5 year training contact split into two parts. I am locked into them, my only opportunity to leave is after the two year midway point (without incurring huge fees anyway). That 2 year mark is coming up in September. I have taken some good points from the roll. A) I don't want to be an accountant. B) I care a lot more about the actual job than the money I take home each month.

I have always had an interest and passion for car, so I don't know why I didn't see it 2 years ago, but anyway, recently i have been considering something in the automotive industry. Motorsport, development, tuning, along those lines. Being a general mechanic doesn't really appeal. But anyway that brings me onto the actual question.

I could go to uni (I'm 21 now) and do automotive engineering (or similar), get loads of debt (4 year course), come out and hopefully get a job in my chosen field. But is that the best way? I've had a look and it's not like there are any apprenticeships. Which makes me wonder how anyone actually gets into it. The dream would be to work for myself, but since I need to train first, that's off the cards for now haha.

My head is in a mess. I am aware that my hatred for my current job may be clouding my judgement. Any input welcome.

[barrym381]

stick at what you are doing maybe do a evening coarse on what your interested in 

[Waspy]

stick at what you are doing maybe do a evening coarse on what your interested in 

This is something I have considered. Issues being that once I re-sign with my current employer in September I am trapped for another 3 years. And that's no something j am comfortable with. Leaving, getting a less intense, more work life balance friendly job, and then do night classes might be an option though.

Thanks for the reply I'm really struggling with what to do atm haha

[barrym381]

and after the 3 years you can go anywhere you want and still be young enough to try something else 

[Waspy]

It's really hard for me to put into words how unhappy the job I'm in makes me. It is an option to stay. And at the end of it I have a qualification (providing I pass the exams) which has outrageous average salaries (also outrageous suicide rates, just as a little side point), and yet I would still have a more enjoyable life stacking shelves in ASDA, if nothing else because it would give me some free time!

I am almost certain I will leave come September. It's just what I will replace it with that I'm struggling with.

[VW BUSH]

and after the 3 years you can go anywhere you want and still be young enough to try something else 

This.
If you finish the training you can apply it to something else. If you quit your next adventure you are a few more years on with nothing to show. Then there are women and babies and other things to fck you up......
I did HNC/HND in engineering/automotive,  I build crazy stuff with robots and trick mechanisms it pays very well but I still wish I was a tree surgeon sometimes lol

[Waspy]

But by the same argument after 3 years I will just have a useless qualification that I won't use. There is also the possibility of be getting to year 4, failing an exam and losing the last 4 years.

After 2 years I still get a qualification. I would still be a qualified accountant.

[Booth11]

I can sympathise with your frustration at being locked into a training programme that is not exactly floating your boat, but agree with what's been said already.  Better to stick with it, complete your training, then reevaluate your options towards the end of the term.  If nothing else, it will show prospective employers or colleges that you can commit and apply yourself to something and see it through and recognise it's value in the longer term, as opposed to just flitting about when the going gets tough.  That counts for quite a lot and all the while you are gaining valuable work experience which will be transferable in other ways.  You are very young so you have time on your side. 

[Booth11]

Additionally if you get fully qualified, you could do freelance accountancy to support yourself, pay bills etc whilst you pursue something else a few years down the line, be that at at uni /apprenticeship or similar. 

[Waspy]

Just to clarify. I have a contract which lasts 2 years. Then an extension which lasts three years. My current plan is just to no sign the extension. I don't see what the further 3 years adds. Other than an extra qualification that I may, or may not gain. I won't be using it regardless. I made a mistake in choosing the wrong path once and I'm paying for it pretty hard.

EDIT: I am qualified to do freelance type accountancy come September.