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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask if you ever actually use your degree?

179 replies

Objection · 26/01/2014 15:36

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?

OP posts:
Moreisnnogedag · 26/01/2014 18:47

I have a vocational degree which I obviously use day-to-day. However, I also took some time out to do an arts degree (social anthropology) and whilst I don't use the actual knowledge much , it completely changed the way I approach problems, made me much more open-minded and broadened me out as a person.

My main degree is fairly insular and fact-orientated - it was really brilliant to do something completely different, where shockingly you have to form opinions and argue them. It was a breath of fresh air.

Cockadoodledooo · 26/01/2014 18:51

I h

Cockadoodledooo · 26/01/2014 18:52

I have

LiegeAndLief · 26/01/2014 18:53

Yes, would not have got any of the jobs I had without it.

There was no real financial outlay though, I just sneaked in before tuition fees! I took out a student loan but it was peanuts compared to what students end up owing now.

Cockadoodledooo · 26/01/2014 18:53

I h

Cockadoodledooo · 26/01/2014 18:55

I have two (and a shit phone!) and am currently using neither. Not the subject anyway, but do use the work ethic/planning/organisational skills etc on a daily basis.

chubbychipmonk · 26/01/2014 18:59

Got a BSc Hons degree in psychology, never used it!

TeacupDrama · 26/01/2014 19:00

have a degree in dentistry and I am a dentist so pretty useful , however do not think it would be that useful for anything else

Oubliette0292 · 26/01/2014 19:05

I have a chemistry degree and a biochemistry PhD. I only use them from time to time nowadays, but spent 8 years working in R&D where I used them all the time. I wouldn't have been able to enter my current profession without a science degree (I'm now a patent attorney), so definitely worthwhile in my case.

redexpat · 26/01/2014 19:11

Well I did English Literature. I now live in Denmark, and actually that year of Shakespeare has made learning Danish a little easier, and I speak Danish everyday, so yes, I do use my degree every day, but not in a conventional way.

Ellengriswold · 26/01/2014 19:13

Yes but because it's necessary for membership of my professional body, without which I couldn't practise. Why do you ask? My situation going into Uni meant it was vital to do a vocational degree with a definite job at the end.

Pigeonhouse · 26/01/2014 19:18

Daily. My first degree and two postgraduate degrees are necessary for what I do.

barnet · 26/01/2014 19:22

Yes i use my degree in Marine biology because I'm a ......marine biologist

GooseyLoosey · 26/01/2014 19:23

Ofter - I am a lawyer with a degree in law. My specialism is way outside anything I studied on my degree but the general principles I learned are often useful.

ikeaismylocal · 26/01/2014 19:26

My degree is in photography, I worked for 5 years as a photographer. I am now studying something completly unrelated to photography (the type of photographer I was wasn't really comparable with being a mother) I still use my skills as a photographer as I photograph my ds every day often.

Commander6 · 26/01/2014 19:26

In the op you ask about financial commitment.
Fair question. mIne got their degrees or are finishing them before the extra fees came in.

So, yes to previously.
Now? I would think much much more carefully. Particularly about certain or even say 1/3 or 1/2 degrees. MIne were ok about which degrees they went for. And we looked up how much demand there was for them - one of them is on the Goverment jobs shortage list.

But fine art? Would be careful. Pschologically dont know anything about.

lljkk · 26/01/2014 19:38

Yes I use it. Techie degree in classic interdisciplinary subject, built on that for 13 yrs of my work so far.

Dontletthemgetyoudown · 26/01/2014 19:39

My first degree is English literature. Straight after a levels as it was expected that I would go to uni but I had no idea what I wanted to do.

Changed uni after first year to go and be near my boyfriend, who later became my h (now xh). Had ds1 and realty wanted to be a midwife so did that. I was a midwife for a few years. Left and started bank work when dc4. Now work in a completely different field studying for accountancy part time.

Don't regret either of my degrees. The first mainly for the brilliant social life. Had a blast. The second have me a fab job. Unfortunately NHS shifts didn't fit with my life especially when I became a single parent. The trust I worked for was completely inflexible they wouldn't make any allowances or consider regular shifts so child care could be planned. Told me to apply for a part time position instead if allowing me to drop hours so I left. Incredibly disappointing for me as the job itself was fab just the NHS isn't so great over stretched overworked etc

Dontletthemgetyoudown · 26/01/2014 19:41

My parents funded my first degree. They probably see it as a waste of money. The second degree was funded by the government so no loans to repay but you do work hard on a midwifery/nursing degree. You have to follow a mentor and work their shifts so even less flexibility while training.

Original poster
Objection · 26/01/2014 20:05

Usedtobe God, no! That'd be a level of dedication to my job that I don't have! (as my contract potentially expires in 6 weeks!) it's just I work in a very specialised area that qualifies people as psychologists whilst they are still working so I thought I could help Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
Objection · 26/01/2014 20:11

Just to clarify - im the psych student (OU) and my best friend is Fine Art which is why I had a particular interest in that. I know what I want to do with my degree Smile but it's fascinating reading about other people's experiences

OP posts:
Froblawd · 26/01/2014 20:14

I have a degree in design and use it daily (DT teacher) my husband has a degree in Psychology and now works in ICT. I don't think he's ever used his degree, except to say 'yes I have a degree'

nennypops · 26/01/2014 20:16

I use my degree every day. However, I have never had an employer actually ask for proof of it. If only I'd known, I could have done no work and lied about my degree class for ever more.

wigglybeezer · 26/01/2014 20:24

I actually think people with fine art degrees are more likely to work in a related field than people with other degrees. DH and I do, as do most of our friends from art school twenty five years ago, I know documentary film makers, teachers, designers, illustrators, animator, painters, sculptors. Can't think of many who didn't, apart from SIL who went into IT!

We are not all impoverished either : ) .

manicinsomniac · 26/01/2014 20:25

I use it sometimes but not a lot.

However, I couldn't have got a job without it.

I needed my degree to get on a PGCE
I needed my PGCE to get a job

So, although I don't use the knowledge very often, it was still essential.

Plus it was the best 4 years of my life. University was about the experience, friendships and societies more than the academics to me. It makes you independent too.