Life Since Your Degree?

flossy_splodge

Pssst wrote: »

Having a degree does not give you divine right to a high salary career.

:T
Hallelujah for some realism.
There is a complete generation out there who have been lied to by Government to BELIEVE that a degree would equal high pay and never mind the fact that some 2nd rate college started calling itself a University and offering poor degrees but the student debt from those unlucky enough to have attended there is just as bad as for those better informed/luckier in their choice of subject or location.:eek:

farso

Once again, stupidity prevails over the masses.

The post started off as how did getting a degree change your earning potential. A perfectly good topic has been made farcical.

Yes, you can earn a lot of money without a degree. We all know that, what was being said was that having a (good quality) degree offers more opportunites to people earlier on in life.

Would like to see the post restarted as its intention was.

HannaB

I don't think it's just about the degree, it's about the life skills you pick up at Uni that come in handy when you go for your first big job interview:

- Meeting new/different people from different places/cultures
- Learning to work to tight deadlines/time management
- Learning about how to be organised with finances (some more successful than others)
- Learning to speak in front of people (presentations, etc)

My course had nothing to do with my current job. I'm 24 and I got a 2.1 BA (Hons) in Creative Writing and I now work in the finance/pension industry earning £23,000. As I've already said, despite the fact I've had to completely retrain, studying such an "obscure" topic gave me something to talk about in interviews. It was my ice breaker!

On the other hand, when I was going to uni, my brother was "moonlighting" a volunteer Special Constable. He joined the Police not long after and now earns more than me. He may not have the student debt, but it has a huge mortgage! His friend from school, went to uni and studied Journalism and got a First. He couldn't find a job and ended up joining the Police as well.

squirrelchops

Also remember the opportunities that are open to you once you have a degree.....that is what has kept me going through the difficult times.

With a degree one can apply for graduate courses or with many degrees, another years training could get you into teaching.

Also there is the opportunity to gain higher qualifications such as an MA or the like that some companies will fund. I don't think a degree is a be all and end all for lots of people but should be seen as a useful springboard into other areas.

sophisticated.

farso wrote: »

Would like to see the post restarted as its intention was.

Likewise, I am more concerned with what graduates have gone on to achieve rather than tales of how successful you can be without a degree.

I'd be particularly interested in hearing about what career paths people with non-vocational degrees have pursued

GrammarGirl

I have a BA Hons in Media and Popular Culture, got a 2:1. I'm working in advertising now, currently earning 18k but was on 16k when I first started. There's a lot of progression in my industry, people move up and up and their pay goes up with them. I'm hoping to break into the 20k+ band next!

I graduated from Leeds (met) in 2007.

GrammarGirl

And I'm perfectly aware that some people will mock my degree choice and the university I went to, but so what? I'm doing a job I love, earning a good wage with lots of possibility to progress and the strength of the media industry means there are always lots of jobs available.

horrorhag

i would have thought creative writing would be a really good degree to have. i can think of thousands of jobs where you need to be articulate.

*its good to hear of someone doing well at the met- gives me hope, there has been a lot of bashing lately

GrammarGirl

horrorhag wrote: »

i would have thought creative writing would be a really good degree to have. i can think of thousands of jobs where you need to be articulate.

*its good to hear of someone doing well at the met- gives me hope, there has been a lot of bashing lately

Thank you very much! I've just seen a fair few posts on this forum lambasting media degrees and 'Poly' unis... well I have a media degree from a 'Poly' and it's great!

You're right as well - there are lots of roles for someone with a flair for writing. I'm currently thinking of doing an access to learning course so I can teach basic English skills to adults who struggle.

jay-chill

Studied BA Marketing Management - got a 2:1
Studied MSc International Fashion Marketing

Still not got a job related to Marketing/ Advertising. Want to work within the creative industry but keep getting told I don't have enough experience when sending applications out.