Should I keep Uni on my CV?

[Big Chris]

Seems like an odd question I know, but...

I left school in 2000 with my A levels, took a year out working in a couple of bike shops, then went to Uni in 2001. I'm ashamed to say that I did nothing but drink, party and generally arse around for 3 years; and besides a hefty wedge of debt I didn't get anything out of it. I've since pulled my socks up, paid off all the debt, and had a career in IT Support for the last 9 years reaching the dizzy heights of Desktop Support Team Leader.

I'm in the process of updating my CV and was wondering if I should remove the blot on my CV that is those 3 years at Uni. I've had working in bike shops and also part time in a few bars on there the whole time, but only as a footnote and with no details or dates. I was thinking of perhaps putting something like, "prior to beginning my career in IT I worked in bike shops & bars etc" and covering the time between school & IT with that.

None of the jobs I've interviewed for and subsequently got have ever asked about the bike shops or bars so perhaps this is a good approach? At present I have my Uni years on there with a note that I didn't take the degree for financial reasons

 

[Big Chris]

If they ask you in an interview what you were doing for 3 years, then you best get a good excuse pal.

This is why I was going to tie it up with "Prior to starting my career in IT I worked in bike shops/bars blah blah...", my thinking being that potential IT employers wouldn't be that fussed precisely which bike shop or bar I worked in 10 years ago but would be more focused on the IT stuff that came after it.

 

[Big Chris]

I've just left it as "cycle salesman & bar work". If they ask for specifics then they were local establishments that have long since disappeared!

 

[Big Chris]

I literally just messed about for 3 years, didn't pass the 1st year, re-took it but again didn't bother attending, then changed course in the 3rd year but eventually saw sense and packed it in to get a 'real' job. That was 9 years ago.

Not my finest hour and it's taught me a lot, but not something I want to have hanging around on my CV.