Degree vs Experience

angle

TottalyLost;

Many thanks for your reply and the links. I've suggested that he look into doing a degree as I know he wants to do one - not just for better career prospects, but to prove to himself that he can do it - but he's worried about the cost.

I actually work for a university and have been trying to find out about courses and funding etc for mature students to see if there is something that interests him.

TottalyLost

Angle - not sure where in UK you are but if in London - Birkbeck offers excellent financial support to its students...

All the best

HP_Guy

angle wrote: »

Unfortunately he was unable to go when he was 18 and never got round to it - how time flies. He would absolutely love to do a degree.
Is it ever too late?

I'd say not. I'd also say look at the Open University. www.open.ac.uk

Voyager2002

Just a note to say that from personal experience I know that both Birkbeck and the Open University are excellent.

A post above suggested that OU "diplomas" are not respected. I find this surprising: most OU students work towards degrees, although some collect diplomas on the way (eg you can get a diploma in French or in Spanish as part of the process of getting a BA in Modern Languages). And the overwhelming evidence is that OU degrees are very highly regarded, by employers among others.

Dave101t

if your going to spend 12 years working, you could of worked towards a degree in that time by just doing 1 night a week study! wouldnt of encroached on working time at all. try to start now maybe? even without the final qualification, it is something new on the cv

sarah_elton

angle wrote: »

Unfortunately he was unable to go when he was 18 and never got round to it - how time flies. He would absolutely love to do a degree.
Is it ever too late?

Absolutely not - I went to Oxford and we had a lady in her 80s doing an English degree at my college - she'd never had the opportunity earlier in life.

It is however hard to give up three years of income if you're currently in full time work.

Andy_L

Where I an employer it depends what sort of job I'm trying to fill. For an entry level professional job I'd want the new graduate as they're cheaper & won't get bored. For a job "higher up the food chain" I'd want the 15 year veteren, although depending on the industry I might want someone professionally registered so they'd need the qualifications as well

Volcano

surreysaver wrote: »

I find that anyone who enters my workplace with a degree soon finds themselves crashing down to real life with a thud when they realise they do not actually know anything, after trying to boss everyone around.

The critical thing is that they enter your workplace, i.e. they get the job. They're employed because they have a recognised level of ability and despite little or no experience, they still get that job. Obviously a tactic your employer sees enough validity in to repeat again and again!

The right degree has to be the easiest way to get a comfy office job on £24K+ with zero experience.

There's plenty of employers here: http://www.graduate-jobs.com/gj/recruitment/graduate_jobs_in_Management who operate graduate schemes that don't require any experience. (Though of course any experience always helps!)

ferien_uk

elf06 wrote: »

Alyth - thanks for your support. I had totaly guilt pangs at first because it meant finding childcare another day a week for my son which now means he goes to some sort of childcare Monday all day, Tuesday for 4 hours, Wednesday all day and Friday all day BUT I had to weigh it up and finally decided that this was the right thing to do. If I an successful (and believe me I dont give up easily) then I will have more time to spend with him in the long run which surely is more important?? (Trying once again to convince myself)
As for your situation - I say go for it!! I dont think age is important as you will have the experience and the paper to back it up

Also, think of the example you're setting your son i.e. about going for your dreams. When I have kids, I definitely want to be doing a job that I love to show them that they can do whatever they want in life.

nickmack

A classic debate! Most of the comments usually side with a personal situation, those who have a degree and those who have worked and gained experience.

I have a degree in Software Engineering and there have been times when I thought I would be in a better position had I gone straight to work at 18.

It was tough and nearly 2/3 who started the course either quit before the end or switched to something 'easier'. It also left me with debts for nearly a decade.

However, more recent positions I've had require a degree and I feel it has now given me a foot up in my career and I'm now reaping some reward. Maybe it's because of changes in the IT sector over the last decade.

I've worked for a couple of companies who've been incredibly anal about degrees. I've seen employees who are very good at their job and knew the next rung of the ladder inside out.

Yet, because they don't have a degree, they won't be entertained for a promotion. These are non-technical jobs, so instead they bring in graduates with no clue of how to manage the department. It didn't matter if they had a BA in Clog Making, as long as they could wave that bit of paper.

I wonder if it's HR departments who write these 'requirements', not having enough interaction with the employees who actually know the skills needed for the role.