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AIBU?

to be thinking about giving up my degree and taking a job instead?

13 replies

Ciabattavonbreadsticks · 04/01/2016 22:12

I am currently in my first year of a 2 yr degree - when I finish I plan to go on and do a third year top up if I can.

My degree is fairly specialist and there are not many jobs available in the field across the whole country, let alone my specific area. I really enjoy the course and there are a lot of transferrable skills but there's a very high chance I would end up working in a similar but not the same field as my degree.

A really good job opportunity has come up local to me and I'm wondering if there is more sense in taking it than continuing with the degree? The job itself involves a lot of training and would ensure a fairly substantial pay rise on completion. It is in a similar field to my degree but not the same.

I have tried to think of a scenario where I could continue my degree but unfortunately the job is full time mon-fri hours and I couldn't do those hours and continue studying if I took the job Sad

Obviously this is all moot at the moment as I haven't been offered the job yet but I'm really excited about the possibility of getting it, it sounds like a really good opportunity for me, it's definately a 'career' type job and the sort of thing I could do for my working life and continue to progress.

Aibu to be thinking of leaving my degree course for a job? I really don't know if I should just hold off until I finish my degree but it's extremely unlikely that this position will come up again in the future, from my research it seems that it is very rare for these types of job to come up, maybe 15 a year across the whole country. Should I apply and see what happens?

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warmleatherette · 04/01/2016 22:14

Of course! Apply and worry about what you'll do when / if you get offered the position. You can always turn it down.

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Ciabattavonbreadsticks · 04/01/2016 22:39

I think if I did get offered it I would want to take it. I feel like it would be a waste if I wasn't planning to take the job..confused!

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Crazybaglady · 04/01/2016 22:41

Oh just apply and worry later Grin

You might not even get it!

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Orda1 · 04/01/2016 23:17

Apply. Not to be too rude but you probably won't get it so might as well!

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Orda1 · 04/01/2016 23:17

Unless you're a mature student with tonnes of experience, obviously.

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Mmmmcake123 · 04/01/2016 23:22

For me it would depend on whether the job has long-term prospects as good as what you might expect from the degree. Also, if the field you will be working in is likely to be around long-term, and if not, the transferable options once you have had specialised training.

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ephemeralfairy · 04/01/2016 23:50

Apply. You can do a degree later win life if you need to.

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ComposHatComesBack · 05/01/2016 02:55

I agree. Apply you have nothing to loose by sticking in an application. Do you have additional experience in this area, beyond a part completed degree? Given the ferocity of competition even for entry-level jobs, those with completed degrees and experience will be at a vast advantage.

That said, treat it as a learning experience for applying for career type jobs. If anything more comes of it: bonus! If not, you still have your degree.

Good luck!

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shouldhepay · 05/01/2016 02:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pinkdelight · 05/01/2016 09:09

I also think you should apply and see what happens, but would be good to have a bit more context if poss. You say it's a two year degree - so is it not an undergraduate degree? Do you already have a batchelors? Are you young and this is your first time at uni or are you a mature student and had another career first before taking the degree? Maybe it's not relevant, but I think they're all factors that influence whether to get the degree now or not. It's not always as easy as 'doing a degree later', depending on circumstances. Sometimes it's good to get it out of the way. Presumably you were totally committed to it when you took it up so this job opportunity might be a grass is greener thing and you could be better sticking with your original plan.

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Ciabattavonbreadsticks · 05/01/2016 18:23

I am a mature student, didn't want to go to uni at 18 as there was nothing I wanted to study at the time. I don't have a degree at the moment. The degree I'm doing is a foundation degree as there were no full degrees in my area in that field, I would have to top up in a related field to get a full degree which may result in having to study for an extra year depending on the course.

I have had jobs up until now but nothing like a proper career which I desperately want.

I do have some related experience but as the job in question is entry level I am more than qualifed enough to get it, just a question of whether or not they would prefer me over another candidate Confused

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Ciabattavonbreadsticks · 05/01/2016 18:25

Shouldhe, I don't think there is an option to complete the degree part time unfortunately.

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BanningTheWordNaice · 06/01/2016 12:52

Absolutely apply, I don't think it's a case of either/ or yet. Without knowing your area it's very difficult to know whether you would be doing yourself a disservice by not having a degree. The only thing I would say is it might be worth trying to speak to people who do the job as progression in the area might require a degree.

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