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Degree Education? Worth it??

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  • motorguy
    motorguy Posts: 22,611 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    t0rt0ise wrote: »
    Not the way I read it and I just read it again to check but there you go.. different perception of the same post.

    I guess my ultimate question is if you're going to do a non vocational course with no hope of getting a job with it at the end of the course, would it not be more sensible to spend those four years in employment and probably further up the career ladder rather than put yourself through the financial pain (and those around you too) of a degree course?

    I am not saying i'm not going to support him, but i want to be able to advise him fully as to what he should do.

    He lives with me and my wife. His mother will contribute very little if anything and my wife wont be contributing so a lot of the financial onus is going to fall on me.

    Maybe that sounds selfish but i'm not particularly in the position to spend thousands each year and it will be a struggle. I dont mind struggling if there is a benefit at the end of it, but i'm not seeing that.
  • Simon11
    Simon11 Posts: 796 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 22 January 2012 at 4:39PM
    I've also graduated this year studying Financial Computing and 1 week after my final exams started a full time job in my ideal position, Revenue Analyst in a Rail company.

    There were too many students there for a good time, who didn't put any effort into thinking what they wish to do and left it all too late.

    My keys for success are:
    · A degree isn't worth much, it’s the work experience! I spent a year in the rail industry and without this I wouldn't have got my current job. Its worth having a year out or spend two summers on placements in your chosen careers.
    · Volunteer, either outside of university or in social groups at uni.
    · Part time job, vital to show that you have work ethics.
    · Network, get to know some people in the industry, ask for work experience! Great for CV
    · Start applying early for jobs! Come Final year, I was ready to apply for graduate jobs in September with the aim of having a job lined up for after exams. However many students finished their exams, THEN thought what should I do. That’s way too late...... It takes a few months from applying to a job, so worth starting ealier!
    · Finally, think outside of the box. I applied for numerous graduate schemes however didn’t get a job, so instead looked at the regular full time jobs! Sometimes students believe the only way into a job is a graduate job.

    *Update Jan 2012*
    I'm now moving onto my third rail company as a Business Analyst Manager after 7 months in my first role after university. While the graduate schemes might seem good to progress your career, its perfectively possible to go down other channels!
    "No likey no need to hit thanks button!":p
    However its always nice to be thanked if you feel mine and other people's posts here offer great advice:D So hit the button if you likey:rotfl:
  • Bennifred
    Bennifred Posts: 3,986 Forumite
    Paul, the way I look at it is that hopefully your son will have a long life, and will have many years to toil at jobs he may or may not enjoy in order to pay his way. Four years is a relatively short time - why would you NOT want him to spend it studying something he is passionate about, at a time he has the freedom to do that, even if it doesn't lead directly to a high-flying career? He will change a lot in the next few years, and may change his mind more than once about how he wants to earn a living.

    It does not need to cost you personally a single penny. If your son really wants to study Politics at university he will not be put off by going down the loans/part time job route. I'm sure he will value your moral support, though!
    [
  • Uncertain
    Uncertain Posts: 3,901 Forumite
    Simon11 wrote: »
    I've also graduated this year studying Financial Computing and 1 week after my final exams started a full time job in my ideal position, Revenue Analyst in a Rail company.

    There were too many students there for a good time, who didn't put any effort into thinking what they wish to do and left it all too late.

    My keys for success are:
    · A degree isn't work much, it’s the work experience! I spent a year in the rail industry and without this I wouldn't have got my current job. Its worth having a year out or spend two summers on placements in your chosen careers.
    · Volunteer, either outside of university or in social groups at uni.
    · Part time job, vital to show that you have work ethics.
    · Network, get to know some people in the industry, ask for work experience! Great for CV
    · Start applying early for jobs! Come Final year, I was ready to apply for graduate jobs in September with the aim of having a job lined up for after exams. However many students finished their exams, THEN thought what should I do. That’s way too late...... It takes a few months from applying to a job, so worth starting ealier!
    · Finally, think outside of the box. I applied for numerous graduate schemes however didn’t get a job, so instead looked at the regular full time jobs! Sometimes students believe the only way into a job is a graduate job.

    One of the best posts I've read on here in a very long while. :T
  • jackyann
    jackyann Posts: 3,433 Forumite
    My advice is: ask him to take a gap year.
    We did that with 2 of our kids who were undecided, and they found that even just having the summer after A levels with no pressure made them see things clearly enough to make sensible decisions when it came to Uni applications.
    Depending on how strongly you feel, say that if he takes a year out, you will then support whatever decision he makes (and yes, he can use that time to volunteer and work in something related to politics)
    My parents did not want me to go into nursing (long story and a long while ago when entry qualifications were different) so they asked me to get the A levels I would need to go to University, and then, if I still wanted to nurse, they would support me. I did, they did, I never regretted the choice I made, and they were proud of me for the rest of their lives.
  • C_Mababejive
    C_Mababejive Posts: 11,668 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    mr_sifter wrote: »
    . The school never mentioned opportunities to us other than university and one of my friends who opted not to go and take an apprenticeship as an accountant was basically mocked and put down about his choice. Disgusting in my view as the school was only thinking about its own appearance and not of the interests of each student.

    I wish you the best of luck anyway, it's a lot to take in and such an important decision to make at a young age.


    Great stuff.. i do hope you enjoyed your time at Manc Uni (my home city) and also enjoyed the many hostelries and other frivolities which the city affords.

    Do you think there is a certain amount of snobbery and class distinction in the whole..should i go to Uni or leave and get a job/apprenticeship thing??

    Speaking for myself ,and as previously mentioned.i left school at became apprenticed in my field at aged 16 ,have never looked back,never been out of work and still earning very good wonga. Sadly i am not sure that there are so many high quality apprenticeships around these days..
    Feudal Britain needs land reform. 70% of the land is "owned" by 1 % of the population and at least 50% is unregistered (inherited by landed gentry). Thats why your slave box costs so much..
  • Mistral001
    Mistral001 Posts: 5,428 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    pgilc1 wrote: »
    Northern Ireland. Usually three years plus a placement year.

    I am from Northern Ireland and do not recognise this at all. Courses are run similarily to those in England and Wales.
  • motorguy
    motorguy Posts: 22,611 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Mistral001 wrote: »
    I am from Northern Ireland and do not recognise this at all. Courses are run similarily to those in England and Wales.

    Will check the details.

    Are they just three years then?
  • esmy
    esmy Posts: 1,341 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Why do you think that him going to university will cost you thousands? It need not cost you anything at all. He can apply for student loans without your income being taken into consideration and any debt is his to pay once he has finished his course and is in work. Whether you support him financially or not is a matter for you.
    You might not agree with his choice of degree but it is his choice to make.
  • Mistral001
    Mistral001 Posts: 5,428 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    pgilc1 wrote: »
    Will check the details.

    Are they just three years then?

    For most subjects, but some courses which are training for a particular career, such as architecture have year outs. University of Ulster has more of them than Queens.
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