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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To have not used my degree for anything.

60 replies

Rockerchic · 28/06/2011 15:52

I'm not sure if I'm the only one but hearing on the news about university fees got me thinking about the debt I got into to get my degree in history.
At the time I wanted to be a teacher when I 1st started my degree, but when I completed and was in so much debt I took office jobs and I've never done anything with my degree. Is anyone out there the same?

OP posts:

Bast · 28/06/2011 15:56

YANBU

VivaLeBeaver · 28/06/2011 15:58

Are you happy doing office jobs or would you still like to be a teacher?

I never used my first degree for anything and realised afterwards it was a fairly pointless degree. But I enjoyed studying for it! Went back to uni and did a more practical degree that I use every day.

HappyMummyOfOne · 28/06/2011 15:59

As long as you paid your student debt off who cares. If you havent, then yes YABU as you had the financial support and should pay it back.

nickelbabe · 28/06/2011 16:02

yanbu.
although, you will have used skills learned in your degree.

i technically haven't used my degree, but i have a lovely bookshop whose name came from my 2nd year essay!

there are loads and loads of transferable skills that you have used, and will continue to use.

Original poster

Rockerchic · 28/06/2011 16:03

I'm the same viva. I do a great job and run my own jewellery business and I loved doing my degree I suppose I'm more upset at what it cost me and I never gained a career out of it.

OP posts:

Original poster

Rockerchic · 28/06/2011 16:05

Happymummy I did pay it off but took a while I think I was about 28 when it was paid off fully.

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 28/06/2011 16:21

I suppose I'm lucky in that I wasn't in debt when I came out of it. But I haven't paid my student loans back as I dont earn enough to have to start paying them back. I graduated 16 years ago!

Doing a degree isn't just about the academic learning. I think my time at uni made me the person I am today. So I don't think it was wasted.

Maybe without your degree you wouldn't be where you are now even though you don't use the actual degree.

VivaLeBeaver · 28/06/2011 16:21

Sorry, have just realised that last post doesn't make sense. Yes I suppose I am in debt but nothing like to the tune of today's debts. Plus as its interest free I don't really worry about it.

nickelbabe · 28/06/2011 16:22

i haven't paid off my student loan (from my HND a few years ago, not my degree) because i have never earned over the threashold for automatic payments.

Deaddei · 28/06/2011 16:24

I have a degree in American history and literature.
I have never used it to get me a job......but I have an undying love of American fiction and a fascination with the country's history.
I graduated in 1981, when there were full grants-bliss.

VivaLeBeaver · 28/06/2011 16:26

I really wanted to do a degree in Maerican History.

My parents said I should do a more sensible degree so I did criminology instead.

VivaLeBeaver · 28/06/2011 16:26

Maybe I should have done a typing degree instead.

SootySweepandSue · 28/06/2011 16:29

I did a marketing degree, got a job in marketing for a multinational and I would say that my degree was bloody useless in relation to what my job required.

YANBU therefore.

Very few jobs require the technical knowledge that some degrees require (doctors, vets, dentists, etc excepted).

pink4ever · 28/06/2011 16:30

I have never used my degree in the work place(english and media studies). Went into legal secretary work after uni. Really wish I had trained to be a midwife as I feel this is my true vocation but would cost too much.

xstitch · 28/06/2011 16:41

I used my degree for 10 years. It is now totally worthless in my fruitless job search and in fact a hinderence. I truly wish I had never gone to University. In fact I wish I had dropped out of school with nothing, I certainly wouldn't be any worse off.

meltedchocolate · 28/06/2011 16:44

YANBU

Insomnia11 · 28/06/2011 16:47

I think you always use your degree. I have a law/French degree and am a lawyer (use my French on hols only though :)) but am about to pack it in and run my own business which isn't law related at all. I'm sure some people will say or think "You could have done that without a degree, you've wasted your education" but the thing is I don't think I could.

I personally had to go through all the study and training and work to get to the point where I'm confident and skilled enough to do what I want to do now.

nickelbabe · 28/06/2011 16:47

oh xstitch :(
it's tough out there at the moment for everyone.
in the past week alone, there have been 4 chains going into administration (or the brink of it)
noone is employing, because everyone's cutting back.
:(

Bonsoir · 28/06/2011 16:48

My degrees completely changed my life - there is no way I would be where I am today without them and I use them every single day. Are you sure you don't use the analytical skills you gained from studying history in your life?

nickelbabe · 28/06/2011 16:50

oh, yes, i bet you do - I still use the analytical techniques i learned in GCSE history in my normal life! :)

bluebump · 28/06/2011 16:50

I've never used my degree for work at all, I wish i'd been braver and changed degree after the first year when I realised what i'd chosen wasn't for me at all. I help students do their UCAS applications at work and try and help them to make the right course choice instead!

I did have an amazing time at university and I went in the olden days when you got a student grant and I also got a bursary so I never needed to get a loan, I just worked when I needed more money. I made friends for life and so I don't think my time was wasted, I just know now the broad range of courses and wish I was in a position to do it all again!

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 28/06/2011 16:51

I agree with all those saying that, even if you don't directly use your degree for work, you use it indirectly. Analytical skills, constructing an arugment/thesis, research, time management, communication, holding your own in discussions ...

Plus of course the general life skills, confidence and maturity you get from going to university.

lagrandissima · 28/06/2011 16:52

And what's wrong with education for it's own sake. Totally unfashionable to say that these days, but even if you just enjoyed studying for... er the sake of it and the pleasure of knowing stuff, then that's cool. Besides, a first degree doesn't necessarily have to be strictly career related. Many people take Masters degrees to get into other career areas, e.g. pyschology, law. I know a GP with a first degree in History (followed by a 3 or 4 year conversion course/training).

scarlettsmummy2 · 28/06/2011 16:57

I have a law degree which I have never used in the strict sense- ie I don't practice, however I do believe it has opened doors for me which might not otherwise have opened. I wish I had done something a bit more vocational though such as a social worker. The majority of people who do law degrees don't go on to be solicitors.

xstitch · 28/06/2011 16:57

Most of us can't afford that luxury lagrand

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