should you still get a degree if you want to be

PrincessK_2

I agree with Murtle et al - it's unfair to belittle any degree as "easy" - yes, there are perhaps more challenging subjects out there, but it is all hard work regardless if you want to do well in any subject.

I think a degree *can* teach you important life skills and it is those skills (like problem solving, working in a team etc) that make you employable but your other experiences (whether in employment or voluntary work etc) really do make you stand out from the crowd.

Modelling and being an air stewardess can be incredibly hard and competitive to break into (obviously!) but I think it can work both ways - getting a degree before you apply for the job of your dreams can show you've got strong skills, you work hard and are willing to invest in yourself but also, if you work before you do a degree (if you decide to at all!) it will really shape you as a person for the better in most cases. Def sitting on the fence I think!

talksalot81

Kumari wrote:

I agree with Murtle et al - it's unfair to belittle any degree as "easy" - yes, there are perhaps more challenging subjects out there, but it is all hard work regardless if you want to do well in any subject.

The difference is that some subjects you can get through without working hard. That is what is devaluing degree level education.

PrincessK_2

talksalot81 wrote:

The difference is that some subjects you can get through without working hard. That is what is devaluing degree level education.

oh I agree completely Talks - I know of people who dossed all year and still managed to get a decent grade. However, I do find that these people often had the same lacklustre approach to most things at university and beyond, so fail to shine in job applications etc as they've contributed nothing and have little to show for their time at uni.

But yes, I know what you mean - a 2.1 is now the "expected" norm class, which doesn't differentiate between students at all.

zcaprd7

Yes, the degree doesn't really matter - but it acts as a rubber stamp of your intelligence and ability to work hard.

These are the qualities an employer wants and frankly I'd rather take on someone with a 1st class degree in engineering and teach them about TV and media (or send them on a day release course) because I know they will be able to handle anything thrown at them...

mrcow

zcaprd7 wrote:

Yes, the degree doesn't really matter - but it acts as a rubber stamp of your intelligence and ability to work hard.

Off topic......zcaprd7! Where have you been?! I miss all your cool grabbit wine offers :beer: Nice to see you're still posting.



On topic, I think that a decent education is an excellent basis for any career. You never know when you are going to have to fall back on it. Once you've earned your degree no one can take it away from you. I have always found those who have knocked my degree in the past (my career path didn't follow on from my degree) were amongst the most small minded of people in many many ways that I know.

talksalot81

zcaprd7 wrote:

Yes, the degree doesn't really matter - but it acts as a rubber stamp of your intelligence and ability to work hard.

These are the qualities an employer wants and frankly I'd rather take on someone with a 1st class degree in engineering and teach them about TV and media (or send them on a day release course) because I know they will be able to handle anything thrown at them...

But would you take someone with a TV and media degree and try and teach them engineering!?

missk_ensington

Funny I should come across this thread, I am battling wih a similar conundrum. I ahve just finished my 1st year of uni (English Lit degree) but I want to become self employed, with my ultimate goal of opening an Estate Agency. I have been contracted by an aquaintance to Project Manager her renovations, for which she'll pay me 1% of house sale (probably about £1,500). This started off as a favour to a lady who comes in the pub and a bit of a hobby, I'm not getting calls from people asking me to do theirs!

No idea why they can't do it themselves, but I guess if you're not interested in houses and property and renovating then it must be a huge weight on your shoulders! I now have 3 in the pipeline, plus my own (for which I'm living on site!) and I'm wondering if I should take the risk and leave uni to pursue my Self Employed dreams, or should I play safe and wait until I have a degree behind me as back up?!?!?!?

My gut feeling is telling me to take the risk, my common sense is saying wait a while and get the degree (although I doubt I'll ever use it in my career ever again and have £12,000 of debt to go with it!)

What would you do?

debzi

Change courses and do something more relevant to your career ambition.

15lsp

I got a first class honours in graphic design and got offered a job before i had even qualified. The course was industry based which is more useful than say a more academic course where I personally know people who have really struggled getting any kind of job.

Its normally the people who haven't got a degree that put them down. Degree's aren't for everyone but it has certainly helped me & it offers fast track promotion. Obviously it isnt just a degree that gets you a job, personality goes along way too.

talksalot81

But it isnt just those without degrees who will comment... You will find alot of comments similar to my own, from those who are within academic circles.