Feeling downhearted about prospects

lpoolt

This post is only kind of loosely related to money saving so hopefully I'm not breaking any rules or boring anyone by posting it.

Anyway. I'm currently studying psychology at uni, a 3 year course and I really do enjoy it. Problem is, I don't have a clue what I'm going to do after it . All my friends are getting their feet on the career ladder and moving up whilst I'm still in uni and earning NMW part time. Now it's not that I'm jealous (ok I am a bit but I like my course and uni life), it's the fact that I could go through these 3 years, get a degree then basically start at the bottom on the ladder (when all my friends will be several rungs up and they haven't even got a degree). Am I right in thinking that most employers don't care if you have a degree or not?

All the people I know who have went to uni have either not got their degree or got their degree and have still ended up with a crap job add this together with the 9k debt and you kind of get the picture why I think the outlook is bleak!

Has anyone here gone to uni, got their degree and went on to their dream job or earn a really good amount of money? Because at the minute I'm in the tunnel and can't see no light at the end of it - a bit of inspiration would be good right now!!!

jr666

hi,

listen i can totally relate to this. Im currently at uni doing maths and i'm so unsure of what next week will bring let alone next year!

The most important thing to remember is that at this current stage of your life the most important thing is to complete your degree. Once you've done that and got a good result (2.1 ideally) then you can start to think about the next stages.

If you feel, like i do that you should be doing a million and one other things like internships and easter placements to bump up your CV, then i wanna say that we're both wrong! It is so not the end of the world if your CV doesn't extend to 4 or 5 pages. Im not sure about you but i feel betrayed by the university because this is exactly what they do tell us. "You should be doing X Y and Z or your life will be a f*** up" but nothing could be further from the truth.

I believe that at the moment going to university is a full time job! and you should see it as such, ok maybe you're not being paid a salary like your friends but by being at university you are already on the ladder. Once you leave the world is out there and you'll have somethings under your belt that many other people won't have, and i'm not just talking about a degree; all those other things you learn in the 3 years at uni.

You sound like you really enjoy your course so just keep going. I'll leave you with a quote from Einstein:

"I never worry about the future, it comes soon enough"

Good luck. PM me if you wanna talk more

bettingmark

Key thing I would say is to build up your experience whilst studying for your degree. Like you im sitting a 3 year psychology course at uni (2nd yr at the moment) and im sure its been drilled into you by lecturers/tutors etc - experience is key.

If your interested in going to psychology further then try to do some voluntary work during the week with the likes of autistic children - i dont want to make it sound like a bonus but it looks great on your C.V. and gives you hands on experience in the psychology field.

Personally im looking to go on and do Occupational Psychology but I feel having that sort of experience at this stage could prove vital no matter which psychology related field you go into. I also try to build up contacts at various companies when i can - on the likes of career days at uni etc. For example, on the last career day I outlined my intentions to Deliotte to go on and do a masters in occupational psychology but would be very interested in their company and asked them what sort of opportunites would be open to me with Deliotte at this stage. The people I spoke to were very welcoming, and although career days are mainly designed for 3rd years, they look set to give me a period with them in the summer - more experience and a useful contact.

Im not sure what your part time job is either but im now working for a promotions, merchandising and marketing company part time. Jobs have a huge variety here which is also helping me build up contacts. One week I could be working for the city council and their environment section, the next im working for Budweiser in a bar, promoting their product. Its a great part time job, vast experience and promotions companies such as the one im working for are crying out for students all the time - no experience needed (its good pay too!)

Good luck!

bumblebee_3

Hi there,

Sorry to hear that you are feeling a bit down.

Coming from a different prospective but think you are totally doing the right thing getting your degree. I am 28 have been working my way up and started a part-time degree at the end of last year and should have that completed in the next couple of years.

I have found that work experience is great but having a degree definitely gives you an advantage in the workplace, most of my colleagues and friends are going back to college to get qualification to help them get up the ladder so just think you will have that experience and qualification under your belt before you get started.

I would look around at things you are intrested in doing after you course finishes and see if you could maybe do some placements/volunteer work to get yourself some extra experience? You may not feel a bit more in control then.

I am paying for my course fees myself so I can sympathise with the money side of things.

From a different prospective but hope it helps. Take care xxxxx

jr666

with all due respect to the previous two posters, this is exactly the attitude i hear everyday at uni and i don't think it is the best attitude to have. I admit i know nothing about psychology and what experience you need to arm yourself with if you want to go into psychology but from what the OP said i it doesnt sound like she wants to definitely go into psychology after graduating. If thats the case then your first priority must be to finish your degree and concentrate on getting the best possible grades you're able to get.

It sounds like you're a bit down at the moment and need to talk to someone. Go speak to your personal tutors and careers people and explore possibilites, however i don't think this attitude of "you must get loads of experience or you'll end up in the gutter" is one anyone currently at uni should have.

jennifernil

I'm sure there must be plenty of graduates who have got well paid jobs, my son is one of them. After a 5 year course in electronics he moved sideways into software and is now doing really well. But it does take time to work your way up the ladder. 12 years after graduating he is married, earning more than his dad, has paid off all their mortgage , and is about to become a dad himself. This he has achieved by hard work and having a good degree. Your degree is a stepping stone to success, so stick in and get good results!

bettingmark

jr666 wrote:

however i don't think this attitude of "you must get loads of experience or you'll end up in the gutter" is one anyone currently at uni should have.

thats a bit harsh mate, we're all here just to help and advise. Coming from a psychology background I have a fair idea of the requirements to move on in that field if the OP desires - i never said YOU MUST DO.... I simply recommended building the experience - as long as she enjoys doing so in the process - which, seeing as she likes her course i dont think should be a problem?

melancholly

If you're unsure of what to do, you could try hitting all the recruitment fairs possible for inspiration?! And you get lots of freebies to boot! As well as the standard fairs with lots of city jobs, most universities or regions have big alternative careers fairs which show you options that you would never have thought of.

Your degree will count for a lot - many many jobs require a degree for entry, and the subject is irrelevant (i'm doing a psychology phd atm, so i think it's a great subject, but if you don't want to continue in the field, then don't worry at all!). Going to uni isn't just about getting a degree, it's a great experience too - don't forget that!

Go to websites like https://www.milkround.com and you can see for yourself the huge range of employers who want you to have a degree - it is something worth having!!
(and if you do think you might want to continue in psychology, especailly the clinical side, you will need to think about extra experience like bettingmark says - otherwise it will be very difficult. if you don't want to continue in psychology, then it doesn't matter at all!)

good luck - the glass really is half full for you, not half empty!

greyster

The above posters are right. A lot of jobs require a degree at least, some require a specific degree and some require a degree of a certain class.

I have recently left uni and started working, all I can say is ...

enjoy it while you can 3 years will fly by

lellie

work hard at uni to get grades.. but it's not the be all and end all.. experience and generally HAVING FUN are all important..

get involved in a society or the union to add a bit of spice to your life or something - it doesn't have to be experience for work but just something of interest to show you're active and keen to do stuff.. someone that sits in their room working for 3 years won't do as well after uni as someone who has huge amounts of LIFE experience.. someone that volunteered for the student paper, or rag or student radio or someone that did something interesting that sets you apart from everyone else.

ditzymuppet

Hey you

Don't worry! I graduate in the next couple of months (June time I reckon) and I've not got a clue with what I want to do with my degree. (Criminology). I was majorly stressing about Exams/Coursework/Dissertation/Lack of social life and my mother told me something... Stop putting so much pressure on yourself Life is too short to be overly worried. Forward plan yes, completely stress yourself out-no...

University is an amazing experience (hehe they don't tell you just how much work it'll be in the final year!!!!) make the most of your first years. Get involved in clubs, gain leadership experience. Get a little PT job to show you are employable. If feasible do get some volunteer work sorted out. (Your faculty or Uni or Student Union will have contacts) Talk to the careers people. You might find them useful. (Or as I did, as much use as a chocolate teapot)....

And don't panic. You have people around you to support you. Friends, Family, Flatmates, Lecturers. It will be okay... Don't panic Things will come up nearer the time...

And remember! Even if you have a degree in Psychology, Criminology, Brain Surgery or Rocket Science it doesn't necessarily mean that you have to work in those fields! Employers see people with degrees as those who can work independently, within a group, who can manage themselves and their time, and who are driven (not that I'm saying that non graduates don't posses these skills ).... At the end of it... a degree is a major building block...

A previous poster mentioned https://www.milkround.com they are quite good, as are https://www.justjobs4graduates.co.uk and their sister sites.

Just don't panic.... Take every day at a time....and remember to breathe :rolleyes:

Keep smiling, and if you want to talk offline just PM me

~ditzy x

(got 4 chapters of dissertation to submit by monday-eeeeeeek!!!!)