to ask if you ever actually use your degree?

[Objection]

I'm particularly interested to hear if those with fine art or psychology degrees are actually using them/working in that field? But all degrees really? Do you think your was worth the time and financial commitment?

(AIBU to question the overall value of a degree outside specific career paths?)

I have a degree in media and film,,,, I work in food retail.

I use my degree every day. Two friends with fine art degrees one is a full time artist, other works in fine art auction services.

Mine is very far from The Arts, but yes I use it every day, all day (when I am working, and sometimes when I am not).

Definitely worth it. I earn 3 times as much as I did before I went back into education and gained my degree.

Is a degree no more than a means to earning more money?

I don't often use the facts I accumulated during my degree study, but I use the skills constantly in all sorts of different situations, work and otherwise.

Yes! There are lots out there that don't though. Not really sure what you want to discuss- a first-class degree from a top uni in Philosophy is going to be worth a lot more to an employer than a 2:2 or 3rd from somewhere fairly unknown in a similar type of subject. That's because the degree is an indicator of likely critical thinking/other skills and some are worth more than others.

Given there's so much graduate unemployment, of course some degrees must not be worth the money to some undergraduates though on average I think it benefits people to be able to access graduate level jobs.

I find mine incredibly useful when building dens or running around pretending to be the Hulk...

I have an Arts degree. Even on the rare occasion I've applied for (and got) jobs which stipulate a degree as a requirement, I've never been asked to actually evidence said degree.

My vocational qualifications and professional memberships otoh, am frequently asked for proof of these.

I don't use mine and I do wish I hadn't wasted the time or money. It's only now that I realise what I would like to do with my life but I can't return to university because I have no money. I wish id waited! Loads of people off my course use there's though :)

I have a technology based degree. Used it (loosely, and not actually to degree level) for a year after graduating. Never since. In fact I'd have done better progressing from middle management (where I was before degree) not getting in to debt and not missing getting on the property ladder than I did by going and getting an education. I did meet DH and some great friends at Uni though...

I've dropped out of my degree before finishing (long story), but think that I learnt a lot of skills (research, critical analysis, structured writing, etc) which I use every day in my job.

Not arts, but yes, I use it.

Dh's work isn't directly associated with his degree, but there are areas that his degree gives him much greater expertise/understanding in than other people

All day every day I have a professional qualification.

Yep use my degree every day (midwifery).

No...mine is in American literature and history, so all it has ever really done in 30 odd years is inspire me to read lots of American fiction. I work in a very low paid charity job.

Best 3 years of my life though.

My degree was in history of art, and while I don't work directly in the field I do work in the arts - but I really believe the academic rigor of it taught me to use my brain, be analytical, process information etc to a v high standard, so yes I think it was beneficial - a degree can teach you more the just the subject you study.

I use it in that I wouldn't have even been considered for my job without it.

I also use the critical reasoning and independent thinking skills, and the writing and communication skills.

It's a business degree btw.

Yes but because it is a professional qualification.

Science degree, not arts, but yes I use it daily

I got my job on the basis of my professional qualification, but you could do the job without it. Most of my colleages have NVQs instead.
I'm at the top of my payscale because of it though, so I'm not complaining.

Degree in Politics and English here!
Never used it specifically but some jobs I've had have required a degree .

Yes, as its a professinal qualification. Cant aply for the job without it. Also graduated long before fees came in so that part not relevant.

I have an English degree and...

I'm an English teacher...

I don't need to expand on the answer to your question, do I?

Yes, I would not have got any of the jobs I have had subsequently without it. Mine's science too. Nowadays I probably wouldn't have got the same jobs without a PhD.