If you have a good degree from a good university but have NMW, why?

[SisforSoppy]

As per the question. Following on from another thread, but also because I have a relative who got a 1st with distinction from an RG uni who post children chose a NMW job because she said she couldn’t find anything else that fitted with childcare. (Although mostly, I think, because she wanted to be a SAHM, and couldn’t be arsed with the challenges of combining a career with motherhood but needed a little bit of extra money). I was a bit , but it seems there are a lot of people like this, so I’m trying to understand why.

It's actually quite an interesting question.
And while people may call you judgemental OP I somewhat see your point.
If your family have made a lot of sacrifices to enable you to achieve it's a slap in the face - to throw it all away. But there's a lot of nuance. Also a distinction between a skilled job that isn't highly paid and a job that's NMW unskilled.

At the end of the day it IS people's choice and the reasons would make good reading. A lot of women especially have undiagnosed SEN like ADHD which make work very stressful unless it's the right environment (I'm very interested in this as I have ADHD and was lucky to land in the right field + WFH).

Sorry not helpful but I'm interested in this too

I am an Oxbridge graduate with caring responsibilities (on far less than the NMW). I have the intelligence to appreciate the fact that the labour market provides an extremely inadequate measure of true value. I have used my problem-solving abilities to enable me to do what I regard as 'the right thing' for those I love. This has enriched both my own life (and the life of the disabled person I care for) more than sufficiently to compensate for the lack of career, loss of income and my subsequent low social status!

Amundo- What is ‘frog grooming’?

@BluebelllsRosesDaffodills

Amundo- What is ‘frog grooming’?

I was quoting the op.

I find it funny that people hold RG unis in such high esteem. I have a niche degree from a ‘modern’ university. It’s has a 98.9% employment rate across the whole university, it’s top ten for graduate pay rates for women and I’ve never been without a job, both before children and now after in a flexible, home working job. My whole degree class had a job well in advance of graduating apart from one who took a gap year to travel. People regularly tell me it’s ‘not a real university’ or not a ‘proper degree’.

People need to look at graduate pay rates and employment statistics, much more important than the name of the university.

‘Frog-grooming’…the occupation of grooming frogs…obviously. Sorry, I put it in as I’m sure I’d be accused of being judgemental if I named any ‘pointless’ degree that anyone had actually done. Perhaps there actually is a degree in frog grooming???

@Amundo hmm it's certainly judgemental to call it a wasted investment but it depends on the nuance and who's making the judgement.
If someone went to an easily afforded school, went to an RG uni and then later chose to do what they wanted then there's no involvement from anybody else.
But if the parents have sacrificed a lot it is definitely an 'investment'. Now obviously a career isn't the only use for a degree or the measure of a person's worth but they presumably hoped that the children would be able to achieve a measure of financial security. Barring any adverse circumstances (e.g. caring needs) I can see why there would be disappointment.

Maybe this is my own experience as a foreign student whose uni fees were 15K a year, from a country with a bad exchange rate and with no student loans (people's parents saved from birth, or took high interest loans to send their kids abroad). Closer to home many colleagues tighten their belts to send kids to private schools because the of the dire state provision in their area, depending on the kids' needs.

The OP is a relative and as such is not directly involved but I must admit that based on my own experiences and prejudices I'm definitely wondering why. Is it because it's difficult to re-enter the workforce, or not deemed necessary if a spouse is a high earner? SEN? Low pay for skilled professions? A combination of all of the above?

If I'm being completely honest with myself I wouldn't mind being on NMW working around the kids if I it was as easy to transition back to work. However as a hiring manager things in my field quite a few returner programs etc but the beneficiaries of these are normally women who have been working for at least 5 years and have had managerial responsibilities.

My sister has a masters but has a child with severe autism and works shifts in a supermarket. She had a good career until then (no father on the scene). Her previous job was not compatible with kids, autistic or not.
Also some people choose a field that doesn't pay well. All those famous actors who went to Cambridge- I'm sure there are plenty more of their contemporaries who didn't have their success but had the same passion so are now jobbing actors.
Success isn't always about the amount in your paycheque.

@elbea

I find it funny that people hold RG unis in such high esteem. I have a niche degree from a ‘modern’ university. It’s has a 98.9% employment rate across the whole university, it’s top ten for graduate pay rates for women and I’ve never been without a job, both before children and now after in a flexible, home working job. My whole degree class had a job well in advance of graduating apart from one who took a gap year to travel. People regularly tell me it’s ‘not a real university’ or not a ‘proper degree’.

People need to look at graduate pay rates and employment statistics, much more important than the name of the university.

Yes - and rankings aren't everything. Ravensbourne and Plymouth - shit in the rankings but a large proportion of their graduates are behind those special effects you see on screen. You know, the things that keep you entertained and made loads of money during lockdown.

Even for accounting a degree that cuts across uni rankings many have lots of links with local employers etc. Research is key.

I don't disagree that there are certain money minting/useless degrees but in a lot of cases the issue with these is the industry - lots of unpaid internships etc needed to get a foothold. Which poorer students can't afford.

@SisforSoppy

As per the question. Following on from another thread, but also because I have a relative who got a 1st with distinction from an RG uni who post children chose a NMW job because she said she couldn’t find anything else that fitted with childcare. (Although mostly, I think, because she wanted to be a SAHM, and couldn’t be arsed with the challenges of combining a career with motherhood but needed a little bit of extra money). I was a bit , but it seems there are a lot of people like this, so I’m trying to understand why.

Gosh, you sound pretty unsympathetic !

@Mydogmylife I’m not sure there is anything to be sympathetic about. She is well educated, could have done anything she chose, but has made a choice she can easily financially afford in an NMW job. I’m trying to understand why. Lots of people have responded with very valid reasons for their choices, and I really appreciate their time.

[quote SisforSoppy]@Mydogmylife I’m not sure there is anything to be sympathetic about. She is well educated, could have done anything she chose, but has made a choice she can easily financially afford in an NMW job. I’m trying to understand why. Lots of people have responded with very valid reasons for their choices, and I really appreciate their time.[/quote]
But are her choices any of your business? There could be anything going on in her life that she chooses not to share with you. She could just have a different set of priorities . Alternatively she could be just a lazy bint, not protecting her interests etc but again not your business . I'm genuinely interested to know why you're so invested in her life choices.

I've got a first class physics degree from a good university. I work for fun and love doing eight hours a week. I learn a lot and love being around people. There aren't many graduate jobs available on an eight hour contact

The money goes into an ISA for my kids.

I had a well paid career until I had children. When DS2 was DX with ASD there was no going back. I worked as TA in school term time only to be able to be there for him, I now work as a science tech in a school, 37 hours term time only, £10/hour. What else can I do? ExH fucked off too.

@Mydogmylife. I'm genuinely interested to know why you're so invested in her life choices not specifically her. As I said in the OP the question also came from another thread……and I just really wanted to know why intelligent capable women find themselves in NMW jobs. I’m not belittling the people or the jobs- many of the jobs are critical to society, just trying to understand why someone would choose this path when they could do almost anything else. I’ve had some really insightful answers.

My son has a BA from a good UK university and a MSC from an international one.

He's putting tomatoes on a shelf in a supermarket because that's the only job he could get with no experience. Sad, but what can you do?

Having a degree means you're good at writing essays or lab reports. However, there's still all the other stuff like interpersonal skills, ability to navigate office politics, ability to look for and get promotion, wanting to tolerate stress and responsibility.. and having a degree doesn't necessarily give you that or change your underlying personality or all rounded abilities or want to do something. I felt burned out after so much studying & academic work and wanted a stress free work life

Maybe she’s living a life that makes her happy. Is that not allowed?

Omg
Scooby doo
So drunk
Reinforce boundaries xxxxxxffff

I have a degree from a top 5 UK University and a Masters: I’m a TA because I like it, I have no work to do after school and I got given a deposit which means I could buy a house and pay my mortgage without having to earn much money. I was a teacher but decided not to continue with that after lockdown 🤷🏻‍♀️ I know Long term I am going to have to earn more but being a TA is genuinely my favourite job (there’s been a few) so it’s a shame really.

I work for almost NMW pt because I couldn't find childcare that would work as well as me being in a rubbish job that works around school drop offs and holidays. My company definitely exploit me and my qualifications because of it. Hopefully won't be forever though. I feel it's worth it because I get to spend a lot of time with my dc and help them with their schoolwork but this is important to me not everyone of course.

[quote SisforSoppy]**@Mydogmylife. I'm genuinely interested to know why you're so invested in her life choices not specifically her. As I said in the OP the question also came from another thread……and I just really wanted to know why intelligent capable women find themselves in NMW jobs. I’m not belittling the people or the jobs- many of the jobs are critical to society, just trying to understand why someone would choose this path when they could do almost anything else. I’ve had some really insightful answers.[/quote]
Fair enough. Perhaps the stress of a more traditionally challenging position really just isn't for everyone? Happiness/ fulfilment means very different things to different people . Being capable of doing a more high flying job doesn't always mean that a person is suited to doing it iyswim?

I wasn't at a RG uni but do have postgraduate degree from a respected university. Currently I'm on NMW because my exH made it very difficult for me to continue in my chosen career after I had our children as he refused to help with childcare. My DS is autistic and cannot cope with the after school care as well as a regular school day, and would not be comfortable with a nanny or childminder. My DD is not ASD but young and also can't do a long day just yet. I cannot work full time so until they're ready for longer days, I need to be there for them at school run times. I'm happy enough with my job and wage as long as my children are happy. I'm sure people probably look at me and think either a) I must be uneducated/lazy/insert insult of your choice or b) I'm 'wasting' my education.

Things on the inside may not always be as they appear on the outside.

I'm not on NMW, but I get a little over £10 per hour. I do it during school hours, but also work school holidays and I also have time to do a little studying on the side, which I love. I love my job. I wish it paid more and maybe it will some day.

Also my degree was only a 2:2 . You don't waltz into too many amazing graduate jobs with a 2:2 in language and politics. When I left uni I still got paid bugger all and I didn't have kids then.

Because good grades aren't enough. You need confidence and an ability to sell yourself, in interviews especially and then you need to be motivated to progress rather than follow along. You can get very good grades without doing much of that.
Because with higher salaries come a lot more responsibility, hours, and stress.
Because quite frankly I like an easy life
And of course because I am a mother so nmw/flexible working inevitably suits me better at the moment.