Are there any courses, you would actively discourage your dc doing at uni ?

[JennyTals]

Is anything a no go for you, or would you support any course

But years ago, it meant so much more. A degree meant you had a certain level of academic ability, was able to think, rationalise, apply critical
theory or do complex scientific equations. It’s a shame that has been eroded.

You also used to ‘read’ for a degree. Now you seem to be taught.

I’m an employer and wouldn’t be particularly interested in a degree in business (as indeed, I have one myself) I can’t see anyway the content relates to an entry corporate job. It’s a whistle stop of very high level corporate and consumerism - the concept of a balance sheet, what a pension is, very basic consumer law. Really not anything applicable.

I mean it’s fine, but I don’t think employers are particularly interested in it

My son’s working in the City on the back of one

So was (and am) I. again, it’s not the business degree that did it. I mean you realise millions of people work in the city with a variety of degrees behind them?!?

I know someone in the city with a degree in art history and someone in the city with a degree in women and social studies- should everyone do that too?

I encourage mine to pursue their interests and then to do what interests them. For two of mine, that has meant mathematics, which to some is very dull but they absolutely love it. My youngest has always been very catering and has fallen into leadership positions at school, and wants to do medicine, and it suits her. I know that she won't be put off by the difficulty or the hardship, that she is academically able and stoic

Interestingly ds2 was quite into music and drama as well as maths, but chose maths. I encouraged all his interests

Too many modern degrees are actually job training that should be funded by employers
not student loans

If your degree is also offered as on the job training
then do not take out Student Loans, go get a job instead

What's your degree in?

@amigafan2003 Literature. Yours?

It still means that and has not been eroded at all - don't buy into the media narrative. The denigration of degrees not only by the media but some politicians really winds me up.

I have taught recently at degree level - we teach to a 2:2 standard - those coming out with firsts and 2:1's all have to demonstrate the aptitudes you mentioned.

You know degree apprenticeships are a thing, don't you?

No student loans on those.

I’m not sure that’s accurate @Snowmanscarf. DD is taking advanced Maths and Physics classes that absolutely do require complex thinking. Many students have failed these classes and had to do retakes, or transferred entirely out of the course, because it’s so challenging (we’re in the US so possible to transfer during the first two years).

Only those who survive the first two years are allowed to continue the four-year degree…she’s in her second year so if she gets through this semester, she can continue.🤞🤞

People do like to show their ignorance and snobbery in these threads, don't they? You've honestly never heard of social science? You don't know about economics or political science? Are you one of those who doesn't think sociology is an academic discipline? Really?

www.socsci.ox.ac.uk/departments

@Lorelaigilmore88
Do you tell people studying architecture or at RADA or broadcast journalism that it's unwise because it's niche?

People do study things for a variety of reasons. One is because they want to work in a specific industry. It's not always foolish to do so. Applied Golf management has a 100% employment rate.

Good grief. And slog away for 50 years at something they have no interest in? What a sad piece of advice.

Don't you realise people can make a career out of almost any passion. There are multimillionaire hair dressers, makeup artist and chefs. Follow your passion and find a way to monetise it

My degree has nothing to do with my profession.
Its a modern notion that your degree should link to your career
and not a good one

Its a modern notion that your degree should link to your career and not a good one

I think it depends on what you want to do. To become a nurse you have to do a nursing degree, for example.

Kids are trying to get apprentices now but there are not enough out there

Govt need to incentivise employers to offer this.

Too
Many jobs expect degrees now that are simply not needed

Train on the job.

Vet nursing
Hospitality
Entry level Nursing
Criminology

To name but a few.

I thought this way until our marketing department was taken over by a 27 year old marketing and business graduate, and I've had to revise my view. He's a natural leader but the principles he got from his degree gave him the extra confidence/ authority to restructure the department and our functions. It has been very impressive.

I’m always amazed more people don’t train in food and as chefs - it’s such a massive industry and you can choose your jobs now. It’s not all late nights - I know some very well off coffee shop owners and of course every food production factory or product development company needs chefs

we need more apprenticeships and more types. One of DDs friends has been looking and if you don’t want to do bricklaying etc it's just a lot of admin or finance posts round here, it’s not very inspiring.

I think the worst, most toxic kitchen environments as portrayed in the media put a lot of people off. Plus, it's not that well paid and hospitality career paths are ill-defined.

i agree about the chef dramas etc but of course that’s not the whole industry.

chefs can be very well paid. Go and work in product development for one of the supermarkets and it’s very good money and includes lots of international research trips.

Nursing did not used to be a degree.
It used to be on the job training without incurring debt.

Too many trades and professions now demand entirely inappropriate degrees
when day release training would give better outcomes
at lower cost to candidates and the taxpayer

but raising the effective work start age to 21 was an easy way to massage the unemployment numbers

I agree with you @Talkinpeace