House or education

jamesd

A better choice is both. Even under the new plans there's no need to pay back any of the loan until you're making at least as much as the average person. If the average person can buy a place on their income, so can a graduate with an education.

ninky_2

SingleSue wrote: »

I can provide emotionally but not financially....does that make me a bad parent or one who should never have had children?

.

if you had decided to have children knowing those to be the circumstances then i would say yes. however you didn't make the decision to have the children on your own. you made them with a partner. if that partner has now renaged on the deal to provide support for the children / family and that has not happened through your decision then it is they who is the bad parent, not you.

ninky_2

Running_Horse wrote: »

Life is hard, but is what you choose to make it, otherwise what's the point?

who said there is a point? life just is. it doesn't have a point. it's us that feels the need to create one.

Running_Horse

You must have had a cushy life (or a dull one) not to feel the human urge to rise to a challenge and be the best you possibly can.

tartanterra

macaque wrote: »

Given the problems that young people have today getting a decent roof over their heads and the lack of jobs for even well qualified graduates, where would your priorities lie?

This all depends what you class as a decent "education".

Personally, I wouldn't employ someone in their early 20's, who has never done a days work in their life because they have been gaining a degree in "media studies" or "aquatics" or some such impractical qualification.

A good attitude towards hard work, able to think on their feet, a strong desire to advance themselves professionally and the ability to cope with industry changes are all things that I would value in an employee. None of this is necessarilly provided by gaining a degree.

For example, as a tradesman, it's not that unusual to be running your own business in your early 20's with no student debt and a foot on the housing ladder.

Education is important; however, most jobs don't require an understanding of quantum physics.

There is currently far too much emphasis on a university education. In my opinion, only around 4 -5% of our most promising youngsters actually require it.

Loughton_Monkey

tartanterra wrote: »

......Education is important; however, most jobs don't require an understanding of quantum physics.

There is currently far too much emphasis on a university education. In my opinion, only around 4 -5% of our most promising youngsters actually require it.

My understanding is that when I went, in the late 60's, it was indeed only about 5% who went to university. There were, however, a few more who went to technical college, or polytechnic. Some full time. Some part time/evenings, and mostly living at home, going to the local one.

Whilst there was room to increase the 5%, I find it rather a mistake to have re-classified all the techs as 'Universities' and encourage 25% or more of the population to go and live away from home. I have a niece who got a so-called 'Marketing Degree' without taking a single exam!

I would like to think that the new draconian fees will discourage a lot of this - especially when it appears that a lot of them aspire only to work in a call centre - adamant that they will deliberately never earn more than £21K so they don't have to pay the loan back.

... and by the way, I personally did study Quantum Physics [within Engineering], but worked 100% in the financial services industry. You're right! I didn't need the quantum physics!

hcb42

How can anyone get a marketing degree without doing an exam. I am truly saddened by that. I am close to acquiring a second degree, but it has been blood sweat and tears all the way (and loads of exams!)

I get frustrated with those who do a degree, and then try and avoid paying for it, you knew what you were signing up for.

Kohoutek

tartanterra wrote: »

Education is important; however, most jobs don't require an understanding of quantum physics.

Very few people actually apply the knowledge they learn during their degree courses to their chosen vocation. The value of most traditional university subjects is (supposedly) to teach students how to apply themselves intellectually to whatever career they ultimately go into. If someone has an understanding of quantum physics, it shows that they have a capacity to assimilate information relating to complex abstract concepts.

However, as you've said, a degree doesn't make someone without common sense and a capacity for hard work into a good employee and these days academics don't count for as much as they used to.

tartanterra wrote: »

There is currently far too much emphasis on a university education. In my opinion, only around 4 -5% of our most promising youngsters actually require it.

Well Tony Blair said the right number was 50%, you say 4-5%. I think he was way off too, but surely the correct percentage should be set for the demand for graduates within our economy?

Pupnik

This really depends on level of education- primary and secondary education are very important, but if/ when I have children I will not be encouraging them to go to university unless there is a particular profession they want to go into which requires it. There are plenty of good jobs that do not require a degree and those 3 years spent studying could be spent working up the career ladder. When I finished my undergrad I was basically unemployable as the only work experience I had was retail which I was now considered overqualified for. Meanwhile friends from the same school year were buying their first homes after having gone into junior roles and worked up. Many graduates end up doing the same thing, but it means they are doing it 3 or 4 years behind their non university educated peers. I doubt I will be able to afford to pay university fees outright or buy a house for a child but if I was perhaps lucky enough to win the lottery and wanted to spend some on my children I would rather set them up with some good property.

Cleaver

Pupnik wrote: »

This really depends on level of education- primary and secondary education are very important, but if/ when I have children I will not be encouraging them to go to university unless there is a particular profession they want to go into which requires it. There are plenty of good jobs that do not require a degree and those 3 years spent studying could be spent working up the career ladder.

In terms of a professional career, what 'good jobs' can you get and then climb the corporate ladder in without a degree?