Best Degree Now?

Top_Banana_2

I've been thinking of doing a degree in an area that I am genuinely fascinated by- horticulture.

If I did this degree, I could then do a MSc conversion course in surveying.

Would the fact that my 1st degree is not in the same subject as my masters be an issue?

Oldernotwiser

Top_Banana wrote: »

I've been thinking of doing a degree in an area that I am genuinely fascinated by- horticulture.

If I did this degree, I could then do a MSc conversion course in surveying.

Would the fact that my 1st degree is not in the same subject as my masters be an issue?

It certainly would! If you want to do horticulture, do it, if you want to be a surveyor, do that!

You need to go into all this more carefully because, at the moment, you seem to have no idea of what you're doing. Do get some proper careers advice because this sort of thrashing around will get you nowhere. For a start, you're highly unlikely to get funding for a Masters and the costs are crippling.

Volcano

Top_Banana wrote: »

I've been thinking of doing a degree in an area that I am genuinely fascinated by- horticulture.

If I did this degree, I could then do a MSc conversion course in surveying.

Would the fact that my 1st degree is not in the same subject as my masters be an issue?

There's quite a gap here between the 2 subjects. If there was a bit of overlap then you could get away with it, but I'm struggling to see any connection between them (though happy to be proved wrong!).

You should definitely do something you have an interest in, but there needs to be a bit of 'overall coherency' to your plan; you're might have to sit in an interview one day with intelligent people and justify your academic choices!


A university career adviser really needs to be your next stop, they'll be quite happy to take a look at your ideas and put them into context with your future plans.

(Oh and ONW has a point about the MSc; it's a different beast to your BSc and should perhaps be considered a 'maybe' rather than a 'definite'.)

Top_Banana_2

The issue that I have is that I am applying for jobs left, right and centre, yet have had zero interest. I'm applying for all kinds of jobs- not just in surveying/planning. I've applied for admin, driving, shop floor, gardening, etc.

The thing that is holding me back is my lack of experience and references.

I though that by going to uni', I would gain transferable skills and prove that I can stick at something for 3 years.

But my dilemma is this- I don't want to be in the same position in 3 years that I am now. I'd be 31, and in the same boat as I am now- i.e- no chance of employment.

I don't particularly want to go to uni', but I also don't want to stay like this- just rotting away.

Liz_the_Whizz

The Prospects website is a useful source of information on what graduates in different subjects and from different universities do on graduation:

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/What_do_graduates_do_/p!efebppm

As a previous poster said, where you study for a degree is hugely important. Employers know where they recruit quality graduates, and they often have links with particular courses. Find out more about where graduates from the course you are interested in have ended up.

The important thing is to keep your expectations realistic - having a degree does not automatically enhance your employment prospects. But studying for a degree can be a life-changing experience - and it's not all about money at the end of the day, it may just be a new outlook on life, a new way of thinking, a change of social scene.

If you think you might look back and regret not having done it, then go for it!

Prudent

kelloggs36 wrote: »

Teaching is also an area which there is now a glut of teachers and not enough jobs - be careful.

Agreed. A primary school in my local authority has just had 685 applications for one job. This is about average.

jm2926

Ewarwoowar2 wrote: »

If you really want to be tactical about the degree you choose, perhaps you should do a bit of research about what areas of business/the public sector are likely to doom in the next 10 to 15 years.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/nextjobboom/

I'd be careful with this kind of research. 5 of the top 10 jobs are in IT, and I can safely say the jobs are not geographic dependant. The problem for those of us currently in those roles is that alough the demand may rise (and at the moment the situation is dire), the jobs are likely to be overseas. Currently Bangalore and South Africa are popular.

purple12

I'd recommend a degree in Social Work but of course, that needs a level of interest in the work before you start it.. however, you aren't likely to struggle to find work..

choccybuttons

Hi

I swear if I had to do uni all again I would go with something that has a porfessional status at the end eg pharmacist, optician, engineer, accountancy etc. However it has to be something that interests you too. Dont forget you can do access courses or foundations year too if you dont have the right qualifications.

Bennifred

Wouldn't a horticulture degree course require at least basic science qualifications?