Should I keep Uni on my CV?

Big Chris

Big Chris

Big Chris

Soldato
Joined
5 Apr 2004
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Bloxham
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 :o
 
If you got nothing out of it, leave it off it. If they ask you in an interview what you were doing for 3 years, then you best get a good excuse pal.
 
Chris-.- said:
If they ask you in an interview what you were doing for 3 years, then you best get a good excuse pal.
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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 said:
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.
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I wouldn't be specific about the shops either. Just say shop assistant and bar work.
 
You could leave it off, if you were working throughout the period also it may be less noticeable but in that position it would make sense to have an answer prepared in case you are asked why your work history is a bit patchy then.
 
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!
 
I'm actually in the same position, and this is my take on it.

Leave it on. You studied there for three years, and probably learned some useful stuff (I'd hope at least a little). The bike shops and bars are generic work experience, but this shows you were 'committed' to study for three years. If needs be, you can make up an excuse for why you didn't finish/get a degree out of it.
 
Didn't you get any certificates for finishing first or second year?

I had to leave uni mid second year due to health, and got a Higher certificate of some kind for completing the first year.
 
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.
 
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