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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what you would do with £1000 for your own learning/development?

39 replies

ConsideringTheFuture · 07/10/2013 23:28

OK so maybe not technically an AIBU...more a WWYD.

If you had £1000 to spend on yourself, with ANY training provider/Uni, on any course...what would you sign up for?

I have recently been given a grant by a training provider that is in partnership with my employer. There are absolutely no limits to what course it can be spent on, or with what provider, as long as I can show them that it will benefit me and assist in my own personal development.

It can totally cover the cost of a course of up to £1000, or be a part-payment towards a more expensive course, so long as I can afford to pay the remainder.

I've been looking at degrees on the Open Uni. Part time they take 6 years to complete and the average cost seems to be around the £1000 a year mark. So technically I could get the first year free and if I decide I like it could then continue.

Is it worth it though? What do you think of OU Degrees? Are they credible?

WWYD?

OP posts:
PandaG · 07/10/2013 23:33

I think I would do an OU introductory module or 2, in something completely different to my first degree. Either that or some practical courses in knitting or sewing or similar. None of these would benefit my work life particularly, but would benefit my personal life a lot!

I think OU degrees are well thought of, so why not do a year and if youlike it carry on? :)

thebody · 07/10/2013 23:35

surfing or wine appreciation. actually both.

CressidaMontgomery · 07/10/2013 23:37

I feel I would learn a lot from a new mulberry handbag

YouTheCat · 07/10/2013 23:37

What theBody said. Grin

I suppose it would depend what field you work in. I could do with £600 to do my level 3 TA qualification.

Computer training type stuff is always handy and transferable.

FortyDoorsToNowhere · 07/10/2013 23:38

Computer programming or something it based.

Would love a job fixing computers.

BackforGood · 07/10/2013 23:39

Really difficult for anyone to answer without having a clue what your job is, or what your qualifications are or what your skills are or what skills you feel you are lacking..... etc

Do you have a line manager or someone who does a sort of annual performance review / appraisal type thing with you ? Or maybe an HR dept. who might be able to help you draw up some kind of career plan, so you can see more easily what you need to move from her to wherever you want to be ?

thebody · 08/10/2013 00:09

YouTheCat, not long got my level 3 so hope you get the funding, mine was credit card and the rate of pay for a TA being what it is I might get even by Christmas 2015![ grin]

so agree with computer skills as these needed for any job now and as you say transferable.

Terrortree · 08/10/2013 00:26

What do you do? What level of education do you already have? How long has it been since you committed to studying? What do you want to achieve from an additional qualification? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Are you ambitious, or happy go lucky?

I ask this because having spent a lot of money on my own education, received a lot of training, and organised a lot of training for others, it is a really personal question akin to asking WWYD with XXX pounds cash right now to spend on anything...?

A lot of people start courses full of gung-ho, and then find real life gets in the way; or the course is harder than anticipated; or because they are not paying find their motivation wanes very quickly or that the course was not what they expected.

I have two masters, completed via distance learning, but I still argue that the best course I ever took was a touch-typing course (price at the time less than 100 pounds). It truly is a time-saver, and a great life skill whether working or not.

Other courses I've taken have really improved my self-awareness, helping me understand my role in an organisation etc. Courses that work on self-esteem are great and can be done over a week (end). Thus little commitment, but great energy. Tend to be more pricey too.

A £1,000 course would pay, or part pay, for a good diploma. But many diplomas can be very time-consuming. How much time can you afford? Will getting it make any difference to your self-esteem or chances of gaining promotion.

OU is v. expensive. Consider other distance degree courses. Me and DH have MBAs - his cost circa 15K with OU, mine 10K with a Scottish Uni.

Good luck and enjoy!

Rosencrantz · 08/10/2013 01:33

I'd go and do a lifelong learning course at Oxford. Have a look at their continuing education department. Much more impressive on a CV than just a first year of an undergrad.

BrokenSunglasses · 08/10/2013 08:19

Does it have to be related to your work?

If I could choose anything, (which would be a dream come true!) it would be something from the continuing education brochure that we get through the door from Oxford university. They do some amazing short courses that I would love to do if I won the lottery and didn't have to work. There's loads, philosophy, astronomy, ones about different aspects of religion, different things in history, and many more. I'd defy anyone not to find something they could be interested in. Or I'd do a language.

LaFataTurchina · 08/10/2013 08:23

Tricky without knowing your industry, in some industries an NVQ3/4 would be better than part of a degree.

Alternativly, how are your IT skills - you could get your European Computer Drivers Licence.

PlayedThePinkOboe · 08/10/2013 08:25

I'm in a similar position - have been given 5k for training and I haven't a clue. At this moment in time I'm toying with an HGV license!

daisychain01 · 08/10/2013 08:52

If I were to be offered £1k for training and dev, I would probably do the folowing:

  1. Think about my end goal, what do I want to achieve longer term and how could any training contribute towards my goal.

For example: I want to improve computer skills, I want to get better at handling conflict at work because I have to deal with difficult people, I want to improve my maths because it is a transferable skill (problem, solving, logical thinking) etc

  1. Research into the offerings of the training company who is giving the grant, talk to one of their training advisers, build up a rapport.

3, You may want to consider splitting into two separate courses, more bang for your buck so to speak.

It is very difficult to advise you on a specific course content, as I dont know your skill levels and your career/life aspirations, but hopefuly this approach may help.

Fwiw I planned to do part time doctorate and managed to get a 50/50 funding from my employer and my Uni - so I "bought" two years worth of time at my Uni. Not before having to create a business case for why the investment was worthwhile and beneficial to them and me.

All i am saying is that it is rare to be "given" funds like that, so it is worth maximising on the opportunity. You may be able to squeeze a few more quids from the training provider (eg if your chosen course/s total £1100) as they are probably doing it as a commercial arrangement so your employer is "locked into" buying training for other staff. No such thing as a free lunch, as they say!

Good luck

daisychain01 · 08/10/2013 09:00

Apologies for typos! I-padding on the kitchen countertop Grin

voiceofnoreason · 08/10/2013 10:06

I would get 2 dozen really nice margaux. And celebrate the truth that shall unfold through the introspection and self knowledge that i shall acquire.

Pigsmummy · 08/10/2013 13:18

I would start with a Prince 2 project management course, it's widely recognised and would be easy to transfer skills. However I haven't a scooby from your OP what field you are in or what your career aspirations are!

If it were personal development I might enrol in a cooking school and join a gym.

MDK · 08/10/2013 15:39

Having been on Prince2 and not being able to get that week of my life back I can't possibly recommend it, does it help on a CV? I'm not convinced.

The foundation course certainly doesn't, but I'm not sure the practitioners course is any more use. You either get Prince2 or you don't and many organisations don't use it fully, they customise it anyway.

manicinsomniac · 08/10/2013 15:43

My initial though was nothing, £1000 wouldn't cover anything!

Seems I'm wrong though - can you really get an OU degree for £1000?!?

I'd do child psychology if so. In fact I might save up and do it if that's all they cost! I'm really impressed.

YoniBottsBumgina · 08/10/2013 15:49

I did a CELTA a few months ago for £1300 which was fantastic if you're interested in TEFL at all.

GatoradeMeBitch · 08/10/2013 18:09

I got quoted £20,000 for a three year OU course. It's cheaper if you don't live in England I believe.

No offence to OU graduates, but their biggest selling point was their value for money, back when they offered value for money. If you're paying thousands I think it looks better to have a proper bricks-and-mortar university degree on your CV.

GatoradeMeBitch · 08/10/2013 18:10

*was quoted

HardFacedCareeristBitchNigel · 08/10/2013 18:23

I would do something with Ilex, I work in the criminal justice sector. Wold probably be a disclosure course.

Bonsoir · 08/10/2013 18:24

I have spent slightly under that to go on a sculpture course this academic year.

Turniptwirl · 08/10/2013 18:51

Ice skating, indoor climbing, trampolining, kayacking, swimming lessons

Maths Alevel ( always regretted not doing it past gcse), courses on excel, sage etc

Buy a computer so I could take advantage of free online courses

TSSDNCOP · 08/10/2013 18:55

Put it towards a course in tattoo removal. It's the future I tell ye.

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