FabSwingers.com forum: Higher education...

By *razedcat OP Man
over a year ago

London / Herts

Given the nightmare I'm having with my assessments at the moment, I thought this would be an interesting topic to open for discussion here. I'm almost 26 and, given the way things are going, beginning to regret staying in education for so long.

What are Fabbers' opinions on higher education? Do you think that, in this day and age, going to university for a degree, a Masters, or even a PhD is worthwhile, or lucrative? Or do you think that getting extra qualifications is less important than hands-on experience? What do you think of the costs involved in studying at a higher level?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'm 28. Finished my bachelors degree last year. I started uni in 2007 (long story short, bad decisions and health issues).

Worth every minute of it!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It depends on what you're studying and whether or not you NEED those specific qualifications to get the job you want.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Difficult one. It has been mooted that there isn't enough going into more practical work such as trades. Depends if you have a lot of competition from others looking for the same work as yourself

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By *orks funMan
over a year ago

Sheffield

two ways to get on in this life and the sooner you realise the quicker you start moving up the ladder...

1. arse lick

2. dick lick

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

It's worth it in some industries. It's even better if you get your employer to sponsor your education, I'm debt free as a result

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It depends on what you're studying and whether or not you NEED those specific qualifications to get the job you want. "

Agree with the above!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

At 38 I'm killing myself this week trying to prepare a piece of work to finally achieve my professional qualification having done post grad studies in my late 30s. It's harder now juggling work and family too but with it for the career progression. Did turn down chance to do a Masters though as I didn't need it for my role.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I did a PhD. Didn't write up and didn't use it. It made me happy at the time to do it though and I got a paper published out of it.

Are you after money? A career? Or happiness?

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By *ogamuffinMan
over a year ago

slough

I think further education is important. Personally I have a degree a master's and got offered to do a PhD. It's what separates you from the rest of the competition. Also it depends on the job and what career you want in life.

These days not many companies will entertain you without any sort of prior experience. Don't get me wrong some smaller business may give you the benefit of the doubt.

Good luck in your future endeavours.

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By *ogamuffinMan
over a year ago

slough

"I did a PhD. Didn't write up and didn't use it. It made me happy at the time to do it though and I got a paper published out of it.

Are you after money? A career? Or happiness?"

Smart, beautiful and a hot wife

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By *otgirl32Woman
over a year ago

Ashton Under Lyne

Anyone who tells you getting a higher degree is "not worth it" is delusional. It is so worth it. I'm working on a degree on the side and it's hard. I wish I had when I was younger. A degree doesn't guarantee employment but it makes it much more likely and certainly with better pay. Obviously if your field of study is obscure or not needed that's different.

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By *iSTARessWoman
over a year ago

London

I've a Fine Art Masters that means nothing in the real world, creative industry is ALL about contacts.

But don't regret doing it for me. Though saving the PhD for retirement.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Anyone who tells you getting a higher degree is "not worth it" is delusional. It is so worth it. I'm working on a degree on the side and it's hard. I wish I had when I was younger. A degree doesn't guarantee employment but it makes it much more likely and certainly with better pay. Obviously if your field of study is obscure or not needed that's different."

This... I've friends who walked out of their Bachelors degree and into £40k salaries. They worked hard, chose degrees they had a genuine interest in (not some nonsense like a BA in jewellery making or face painting), got good grades and went WELL out of their way to get the job they wanted.

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By *risky_MareWoman
over a year ago

...Up on the Downs

Get all the qualifications you can when you are young - it's so damn hard to go back!!!

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By *ourbonKissMan
over a year ago

a land up north..... of leicester

I went, I dropped out... And still got a job in my chosen profession (Management Accountant) and also have the loan being paid off.

It wasn't for me but but that doesn't mean that it's not for others, I loved the experience but soon realised that I learned better by doing rather than studying

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By *ourbonKissMan
over a year ago

a land up north..... of leicester

"two ways to get on in this life and the sooner you realise the quicker you start moving up the ladder...

1. arse lick

2. dick lick"

Not really...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I know plenty of people racking up debts at uni doing courses on wait for it.....

Songwriting and the like

There actually not many people I know who've gone to uni and are doing well unfortunately. It's the guys that went and learned a trade who are doing well themselves and have jobs in their chosen line of work.

At my work we get graduates coming in now and again for placement and their sense of entitlement and I'm better than you because I've been to uni is quite shocking to be honest.

All the ones who have come through so far haven't been able to hack the pressure and stress and have left really quickly.

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By *imiUKMan
over a year ago

Hereford

"Worthwhile" and "lucrative" are two different things.

I'm glad I did my MSC, even though its really not helped me career-wise.

Also; intellectual capital is a thing.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Depends on what field you are in and the vocational/traditional education skills relevant

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By *eryBigGirlWoman
over a year ago

East Yorkshire

I think education is important although didn't think that when was younger but the difference of me earning max 15k then getting a degree and walking straight into a job for 30k plus with much job I cannot practice or use the job title without the degree and the relevant professional body registration.

On the downside I have 20k in student loans which are unlikely to be paid off by the time I retire!!

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By *andB6969Couple
over a year ago

Well worth a visit, East Coast, Norfolk

All of our 'kids' have degrees, 2 of them masters and none of them are of any use to the jobs they are (currently) in. The competition is so fierce with people from all over the world competing. They're all about £30k in 'debt' but they won't give up trying to gain relevant employment. So very difficult and a shame

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By *B9 QueenWoman
over a year ago

Over the rainbow, under the bridge

I would not have been able to achieve all I have and earn what I do without my degree.

Well worth it if you can bear the debt.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Costs wise, it's irrelevant to a certain degree, no pun intended. You only ever pay back when you're earning a decent wage really, and for me I couldn't achieve the position, pay, and conditions I want without my degree. But some aren't particularly worth much, the person is worth more, and the experience of them is often the key part.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Found my PhD hard work, but grew so much (at the risk of sounding corny...). It's helped me get promoted, not just because of the title, but the skills I acquired on the way... Working in education it's helped inspired conversations with the students

Would do it all again

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I'm doing a PhD because I want to do the research. The title is a nice little bonus at the end of it

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 26/04/16 21:44:29]

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I know people with degrees that haven't got the interpersonal skills to order a pizza and they have ended up in jobs well below their qualifications. I believe a balance between qualifications and personal development through ones career will open doors to those who work hard. You can always go back to college part time while employed to enhance opportunity. The problem is that there are far to many with a BSc and no Bcs "basic common sense". High academic ability does not always high EI. My experience tells me that a lot of the time they are polar opposites.

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By *B9 QueenWoman
over a year ago

Over the rainbow, under the bridge

"I know people with degrees that haven't got the interpersonal skills to order a pizza and they have ended up in jobs well below their qualifications. I believe a balance between qualifications and personal development through ones career will open doors to those who work hard. You can always go back to college part time while employed to enhance opportunity. The problem is that there are far to many with a BSc and no Bcs "basic common sense". High academic ability does not always high EI. My experience tells me that a lot of the time they are polar opposites.

30 and a single parent when I got my BA. Plenty of common sense and great interpersonal communication skills.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

In my job I've managed many graduates, and it seems to be a common theme that they struggle to gain employment with a degree as the competition is fierce, so many of them go on to do a Masters to set them apart, but for the job they are doing they are massively over qualified for their grade. One in particular was starting his first job at the age of 27 and he was really lacking skills in other areas. I work in the civil service so the pay isn't great, but now if I want to progress to higher grades I will have to get either an MSc or MBA but at least it will be fully funded.

I think you need to work as well as study to get ahead.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Depends what you want as a job. I studied into my mid 20's. It was worth it. But look at some entrepreneurs - they made millions with no exams. Swings and roundabouts.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

30 and a single parent when I got my BA. Plenty of common sense and great interpersonal communication skills. "

Life experience is so underrated. Good for you!

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By *eMontresMan
over a year ago

Halesowen

As someone said, intellectual capital is a thing.

I can understand why people do vocational degrees specifically to enhance their career prospects.

I can also understand why people do degrees in something they're interested in, just because.

When I did my first degree, there were no tuition fees and a small grant available. I still had to collect glasses in a nightclub to make ends meet though. However, I never wanted to be a biochemist, and after a spell as a pilot, became a programmer and moved into IT Sales, where I earned good money and retired in my early forties.

In my late forties, I did another degree in electronics, just because. Though this time I had to take out the loans. I now work part time teaching IT at uni (I picked up a teaching qualification along the way). I was lucky that my fees were only around £1.5k a year (got in just before the major hikes), so my total loan is not that much. As I only work part time, I only pay a small amount each month on my loan, and if things remain the same, I'll be at state retirement age way before it's paid off, whereupon, the outstanding amount is written off.

So for me, it's all good and all been worth it and I'd do it all again. I may go on and do a PhD - I've had a few offers to do research, but for now I've had enough of dissertation/thesis writing.

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

I'm a little older and returned to uni for more. Education is highly valuable for more than just career prospects.

I see technology replacing an increasing volume of basic job tasks in future, so increasing your skoll set, knowledge level as well as gaining experience os Io important. Will there be 80% unemployment due to computers and robotics? I could imagine that's feasible.

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By *iamondjoeMan
over a year ago

Glastonbury

I've never used my MA - not that I didn't love the subject - but I ended up doing something *completely* different.

*shrugs*

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I think it varies with different subjects and career paths. I hope to eventually teach primary age children with additional learning needs and disabilities.

I'm nearly there now just the pgce to go but with every hurdle to get there the qualication requirements have changed so when I'm finally there I can honestly say I've worked my fat arse off for it, resitting loads of exams and doing voluntary work etc.

A bit annoying when you see youngsters doing a couple of years at college and getting straight into school as teaching assistants, nothing wrong with that, I only wish it wasn't drummed into my head at 6th form that I absolutely had to go to uni if I wanted to get anywhere. I guess life would be boring without challenges though

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Just finished my Masters, starting my PhD in the autumn. Looking forward to it.

Academia is one of the only professional pursuits I enjoy. I'm dreading having to get a real job.

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By *illwill69uMan
over a year ago

moston

Have a friend who has just got her Phd, the drop in the cost of her motor insurance is mind boggling!

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By *LCCCouple
over a year ago

Cambridge

I think it can be quite a personal choice, mainstream education tends to make you think that it's all very linear, you decide what you want to do with your life in year 9, then chose the required GCSEs, then A levels, Uni, Masters etc. but life doesn't work that way.

I left school at 16, went back at 20, did A Levels then straight to Uni, 7 years after completing my BA, I am now studying my MSc.

Life takes you in strange twists and turns and it's hard to say what is right.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

There's pros and cons. I do regret not going to uni, but I also don't because I never enjoyed school/education. I'm very independent and I've had to work hard to get to where I am without having a flashy degree hanging off my bedroom wall. But I do feel that when I'm trying to better myself and apply for better jobs with better prospects, it makes life a lot harder. Not saying that I've got nothing to show for the last eight years of being in the workplace. But sometimes I think maybe it would have been easier if I had gone uni to study so and so for however many years. Cos I feel like whatever I put on my cv is never enough for the jobs I want to pursue.....

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By *uzy444Woman
over a year ago

in the suffolk countryside

ive worked since i was 19, mainly self employed got professional qualifications along the way..had four kids, brought them up...this year ive been accepted to go do a degree, ive helped other with theirs, and want to go do, what i have never done...not about job for me, it will underpin everything i do already, from another angle and expand me, im excited, its what i want to do now..so im doing it x

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