Life Since Your Degree?

former_student

For those with a degree; how has life been since you graduated?

I am now 25, I earn around £20,000 per year, I have two jobs, living with parents and feeling that doing a degree was a waste of time for me personally.

During these difficult times of recession is it still possible to find a decent job? I am becoming disillusioned with my own; although I am happy to have a job at the same time.

How has life treated others since graduation?

farso

Good thread. But I think it would be pointless if people do not include, their subject, uni of graduation, and final grade.

Obviously there are some degrees worth having, and nothers not so much so, so provides context to us all?

Thanks

Voyager2002

The important point is that you had the experience of studying to an advanced level, and now have letters after your name. Whether or not you find work afterwards is irrelevant: nothing in your future life can compare with what you have already achieved.

^!£$&

I loved Uni as an experience, But have found that my qualification is next to useless despite have got a 2:1!
I Currently work 2 part time Jobs one in a school term time only as a learning support assistant which is related to my degree in early years but with a pityful salary and the other job i work evenings and weekends which is just to help me make ends meat!
I still live with rents also and am 23!

flutterbyuk25

I enjoyed uni and was fortunate to have lovely parents who helped with my fees so didn't get in too much debt.

I studied Politics & Languages, got a 2:2, graduated in 2003.

I left uni unsure of what I wanted to do - wasn't that interested in doing something in my degree field - fell into a boring (but good pay for area and good benefits) civil service job which I stayed at for 5 years.

Then this week I started my dream job working with young people. Earning 21k.

So absolutely nothing to do with my degree, however my degree puts me in good standing in this job as they are going to put me forward for Post Grad training (which employer will pay for!) and it showed my new employer that I'm committed to seeing things through to the end and able to take on study if required (their words!).

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PasturesNew

I think you aren't comparing like for like. Without a degree, it can be impossible to EVER earn £20k/year. Ever.

Roughly speaking, the salary that a lot of graduates start on (once using their degree) is what somebody without a degree will EVER achieve.

I have over 20 years' IT industry experience, 30 years' work experience, including office management, training etc. I have a bunch of good qualifications under my belt and £20k is most often unachievable because jobs at/above that seem to want a degree (even when it's not needed).

In 10 years' time you'll probably be on the equivalent of £35k, yet I'll still be on under £20k.

You have to look at lifetime earnings and potential, not just the first 3-4 years.

Lokolo

My mum was on £24k before she got her degree? She's still on that

Although saying that, I haven't got a degree but my placement gives me £17k and if I graduate with the same company I start on £27k... which I couldn't get without a degree (job requirements). However my uncle in the same job title, has had a good 20 years in the indsutry and is on quite a lot at the moment, but he always does say he regrets not doing a degree!

Also - you can train to become a Dominos store manager and be on £22k a year. 2 weeks training, 6 months managing under supervision and your done

Not saying its easy to earn over £20k, but its not impossible lol

torizia

I haven't graduated yet, but am starting a graduate scheme with a certain banking group (!) in September. I'm in my final year at Bristol UWE studying Psychology, and will be earning 28k on the scheme. I really recommend applying for graduate schemes as a lot of companies offer them, and they give a great sense of security!! Also it's a really good way to get into the business, plus it actually feels like my degree will be worthwhile...

Marcheline

Hi OP, life since my degree has not been how I'd originally planned either, but I'm still enjoying it! Got my first job out of uni earning approx £17.5k (this is in London) then found out I was pregnant 3 months into the job, took 6 months maternity leave, then was offered a better paying job on my return from leave (£21k) My employer was VERY good to me considering all that and I didn't want to leave the job, but my mum didn't want to look after my daughter anymore and I wasn't keen on sending her to nursery, so I I left that job to become a SAHM.

It is my personal belief (I got a 2:! in English Lang and Lit from The Uni of Manchester) that doing a degree is a bit of a waste of time and money if you've not been to a good Uni AND if you're not studying something that eventually gets you a proper profession. That's just my feeling and if I had my time again I'd have done law, accountancy etc, instead of choosing English.

sarah.roberts85

Without a degree, it can be impossible to EVER earn £20k/year. Ever.

I don't agree with this at all! I have an MA degree (2:1) and can't even get a job in a shop as I'm over qualified. I'm going back to Uni in Sept to do a Postgrad in teaching, which I've always wanted to do but am struggling to get any kind of job to save for my fees.
My OH left school at 16, didn't go to college or Uni and has no real qualifications. He now earns £40K a year as a project manager for an oil company. He got in to the industry thanks to someone he knows, started at the bottom and has worked his way up in 5 years. When I'm a teacher I still won't earn as much as my OH and I'll have 2 degrees!
I think its not always what you know, but quite often who you know.

lulaloo

PasturesNew wrote: »

I think you aren't comparing like for like. Without a degree, it can be impossible to EVER earn £20k/year. Ever.

Roughly speaking, the salary that a lot of graduates start on (once using their degree) is what somebody without a degree will EVER achieve.

I have over 20 years' IT industry experience, 30 years' work experience, including office management, training etc. I have a bunch of good qualifications under my belt and £20k is most often unachievable because jobs at/above that seem to want a degree (even when it's not needed).

In 10 years' time you'll probably be on the equivalent of £35k, yet I'll still be on under £20k.

You have to look at lifetime earnings and potential, not just the first 3-4 years.

Utter rubbish. I'm 22 years old, I do not have a degree qualification, I earn £27k per annum.
I've just started a part time Business degree to help my career progress, but to say you can't earn over £20k without a degree is absolute rubbish.
I've earned over £20k since I was 20.
Just because YOU can't doesn't mean it's impossible