Do you really need a degree?

I really feel sorry for people who spend 3 years of their life and lots of money doing a non-subject like psychology or english literature. Why on earth would you get a degree in something like that and not something useful like a trade. They can't find a job because all they aren't actually qualified to do something.

What a completely ridiculous statement. People with those degrees can go on to do plenty of things, teaching for one.
 
[FnG]magnolia;22184601 said:
Never has an OP's thread been answered so succinctly and so quickly by the OP himself.

lol

Agreed. All depends on what you wish to do!
 
I really feel sorry for people who spend 3 years of their life and lots of money doing a non-subject like psychology or english literature. Why on earth would you get a degree in something like that and not something useful like a trade. They can't find a job because all they aren't actually qualified to do something.

Most degrees outside of engineering don't really qualify you to do a particular thing though; it's the skills and overall knowledge gained. Regardless of what you do you're going to have to be trained to do the job!
 
Only tuesday my friend was having a biatch about student loans from his paypacket, he said no matter how much he earns, until it's paid off 9% of his take home pay will be deducted for it!

Never went to university, but am at a place now with the experience/skillset I've got, with roles I'd be applying for it wouldn't matter.
 
Most degrees outside of engineering don't really qualify you to do a particular thing though; it's the skills and overall knowledge gained. Regardless of what you do you're going to have to be trained to do the job!

~*ENGINEERING*~

Finally. At least now the thread might get interesting whilst everyone goes off on a massive derail.
 
Nope went to the University of Birmingham but back in good old Hertfordshire now

Okay good, because the University of Bedfordshire isn't exactly the best and they offer the same degrees that you took, so that's why I asked :)
 
What I am getting at is that a degree increases your prospects, but it doesn't guarantee you a well paying job.

Loads of people get a degree, the associated debt, and end up in menial, dead-end jobs.

Aptitude and drive are a more defining factor in the success of one's career.

Loads of people don't do a degree, may or may not acquire debt regardless and end up in a menial dead-end job so as statements go it cuts both ways.

As you say it's very much down to the individual, for many jobs/careers you don't need a degree but it may make it easier for you in terms of demonstrating a certain level of knowledge (for want of a better word) as it has been assessed and you now have that piece of paper to prove it. However for some jobs a degree is a prerequisite and whether what you have learned in the process of gaining that degree is useful or not is somewhat irrelevant to the fact that without it you wouldn't be in contention for the job itself.

It may not be obvious now (and in some cases will never become apparent) but having a degree can mean that your earning potential at the top end of the scale is increased also because the ceiling is raised that little bit higher.

Getting a degree or not getting a degree is primarily a matter of personal choice. I'm glad it is working out for you without one but (and I don't think you're suggesting this) it is a good thing for many other people even if the benefits aren't always financial or immediately apparent.

I really feel sorry for people who spend 3 years of their life and lots of money doing a non-subject like psychology or english literature. Why on earth would you get a degree in something like that and not something useful like a trade. They can't find a job because all they aren't actually qualified to do something.

You think there are no transferable skills in those degrees? Nor indeed careers that directly stem from them?
 
can you become a teacher or doctor without having a degree? No.

I believe that answers your question.

Doesn't guarantee a job though. My sister has a law degree and passed further exams and a years training to qualify as a solicitor. She can't find a job (well, she recently managed to get a 3 days a week job for not much more than minimum wage helping students out but they admitted she's ridiculously overqualified). She's also got over 40k worth of debts and not much chance of ever paying them off at present.

I personally don't have a degree and I'm doing pretty well.

Me too. Well, I'm not rich but I don't have any debts apart from the mortgage and I've probably got more disposable income than she has.
 
Education wise... it's more a foot in the door than anything. A masters is what you need to stand out nowadays though. (And that is becoming more and more common!)

Bottom line, you do NOT need a degree, but it can help in some careers paths. Which ever path you choose, ideally, you need to be pro-active in your career goals.
 
This leads me onto something else .... I think 18 is too early to go to uni. Do you really know what you want at 18? You should have to go into work after school .. gain experience and work out what you want so when / if you do go to uni you can get the most out of it.

I went to University at 17 and knew exactly what I wanted to do so depends on the person.
 
I really feel sorry for people who spend 3 years of their life and lots of money doing a non-subject like psychology or english literature. Why on earth would you get a degree in something like that and not something useful like a trade. They can't find a job because all they aren't actually qualified to do something.

Why do you think a degree is only for career development?

I did a history degree. Not so much because it formed part of a career plan, but I genuinely enjoy the subject and wanted to better my education in it. It also teaches you a lot of valuable academic skills, so arguably has more value than a lot of much more specific, vocational degrees anyway.
 
My gf says the same, 1 year in an actual job taught her more than her entire degree.

I'd say not, it would teach her more about a specific topic for her job than she would get in her degree (broad learning vs job specific).

My industry you need to be a degree qualified engineer, or come from a time before degrees were as popular.

KaHn
 
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