should you go to university/higher education without a plan?

JustOnce

I know a couple of people who dropped dropped out of uni because it wasn't for them. They work minimum wage jobs in supermarkets or carehomes. I have friends who never even attempted uni. Most of them are over 30 years old. The single ones are still living at home, because they can't afford to move out. The ones who married, can afford to rent because both work - it's a partnership more than anything.

I know many people who went to uni and finished their degrees and now have mortgages, good jobs etc. (and are seven years younger than the people I know still living at home).

Statistically with a degree it is likely you will earn more, live longer, and have a job generally. These are facts supported by research. You'll also hardly ever meet anyone who regrets doing their degree (if they passed) but you will meet plenty of non-grads telling you its not worth it.

Go to uni get a degree. Learn new sports, backpack around cheap counteries during your holidays, and meet new people from backgrounds different to your own - (plus this networking). If you want a soul destroying non-grad job where the person in charge of you earns 10p an hour more than you, then do one part time (this is how I funded the other stuff I mentioned). It will make you appreciate why you are studying.

(I went to uni as a mature student in my mid twenties too).

pathtofreedom

Have a look at some mooc's like coursera and see if you can get through a couple of their courses in subjects that interest you. That might help you see if you have the staminia to cope with degree level study as it is different to school as it will be a lot more reading around the subject and doing you're own research.

I nearly dropped out of uni a few times as I didn't like my degree subject and it made it really hard to finish. Not only doing the work to the standard needed in subjects I was bored to tears with, but also having to do that with no money when other people seemed to be having fun with their lives.

Could you also look at apprentiships or part time degrees like OU? Before spending money on OU if you can cope with the same amount of hours study on some Mooc courses as well as working full / part time or whatever your plan is, then that should help you see if you're organised and dedicated enough to put the work in to do it.

engineer_amy

As other people have said, find a career path you would like to do first, then get the qualifications required. Do your research, if possible do some volunteering, shadowing with people you know. You may find you get an entry level position in a sector you like and be able to work your way up without needing a degree, maybe just doing some short training courses along the way. A degree can be an expensive waste of time if you end up not entering the field in which you studied, although you will have gained some transferable skills.


I went to uni to study engineering straight after school. it wasn't all I thought it would be and I lost motivation, maybe I just wasn't mature enough to buckle down and get the work done on my own. So I dropped out.
I started a short term contract as an administrator in a recruitment agency. With my (limited) engineering experience I was soon offered the job as the engineering recruitment consultant. Shortly after this I moved into the accounts department, and finally felt like I was home. My employers hinted at getting some formal qualifications in this area and they would contribute to the cost, so I decided to do my accountancy degree part time. Yes it takes longer and can be difficult trying to fit studying in around working, but I really enjoyed it and graduated last july.


If you do decide to go for a degree, consider part time if your local university offers it in the courses you are looking at. you can earn while studying, you can choose how many modules to do each year, therefore how long the degree will take and it costs a lot less. In my case the full time degree would cost £9375 (just for fees, not any additional uni related expenditure), the total cost of the part time degree was just under £5000.

Double_V

Sales & Marketing degree ?
And then you can join one of the media house ?

Sncjw

You would have to have really good personal statement too to get into uni. This will show if your motivated to do the course too. Also the cost of applying for uni too with ucas without a plan will be wasted. You can do jobs from the bottom and work your way up.

prowla

The point of Uni is to widen your choices; deciding precisely what you want to do before you go is doing the opposite.

SensibleSarah

I was in a similar situation about 10 years ago. No career plan etc. I knew I loved books so decided to do an English Lit degree and see where it led. Started when I was 26 so graduated at 29. The reason I didn't go at 18 like most of my friends was because I didn't know what I wanted to do and didn't want to waste 3 years - but by the time I hit my mid-20s I knew that I'd have to try something different to get a different result job-wise.

Took me a few months after graduation to get my first job (copywriter) which I wouldn't have even been interviewed for if I hadn't had a relevant degree. 6+ years of progression in 3 workplaces since then and I'm in a good place career-wise, which I wouldn't have had a shot at without my degree.

It's not something to go into lightly, as the wrong course can make you miserable - but as long as you choose something in which you have a genuine interest already then you stand a good chance of maintaining that for 3 more years. It won't necessarily immediately lead to a dream job (I've worked bloody hard since graduating to move up career-wise) but can definitely open doors that would be firmly closed to you now. If you can manage living costs as a student financially then what have you got to lose?

pinpin

I'd probably say to go for it.
I never had a clue what to do for a 'career', and I still don't.
So I didn't go to uni, and i've always worked for minimum wage.
I probably always will.
Most of my friends earn around 7X more than me, and all have degrees, so it's probably the best thing to do if you can afford it.

Cubanista

hey,


thanks for the advice everyone. one last question - do you know what other sites can help choose a career? apart from national careers advice service.


thanks,


Cubanista.

Opinion

A degree is a key.