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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

nephew is doing a degree where he spends a lot of time watching rugby matches

100 replies

pettywitchinlondon · 29/05/2015 15:34

Some kind of sports degree. Apparently he has to watch them to analyse the strategy. Fair enough if he didn't have to pay fees, but he pays full fees and has just finished the first year.

I know I'm being unreasonable as its his choice, but I can't help but think its a waste of money and its a good example of something that should be learnt practically rather than as a degree.

I can't really say anything as I did a history degree but at least that was highly regarded from a red brick and will still useful for my job prospects.

Am I right to worry he's wasting his money and time?

OP posts:
JeanSeberg · 29/05/2015 15:36
Biscuit
DreadlocksMadeMeHappy · 29/05/2015 15:38

Ach, I think you're being a bit, well, snobby about his degree.

He's an adult and it's his money to waste, even if he knows no better just yet. He may get a fabulous job at the end of it.

But, I can see your point, I wouldn't encourage anybody to go to university and do a non vocational subject.

Original poster
pettywitchinlondon · 29/05/2015 15:44

I'm really trying not to be judgey about it. But its not really his money he's paying on it, its his future money and it just seems like a bad investment.

I know I'm sounding horrible but I'm just thinking of him

OP posts:
manchestermummy · 29/05/2015 15:45

Yes, unless you are sitting in a lecture theatre with 150 other students, university absolutely is a waste of time.

It's really not your place to judge. I work in HE and cannot abide the snotty cynicism people come out with sometimes!

mrschatty · 29/05/2015 15:52

You can't put an old head on young shoulders...If you feel it's a mistake- it's his mistake to make.
My uncle once said to me 'atleast your not doing a mickey mouse degree like sociology...' I was doing sociology. I always think of him as a pompous tw*t now tbh

HereIAm20 · 29/05/2015 15:56

Can I ask what you do that makes history relevant to your job? As you state he is not just watching but analysing the strategy being employed! If he is doing a Sports Science or even a Sports Coaching degree it may end up being directly relevant to his future career and therefore very appropriate for him to chose this degree. Focus on the fact that he has to se analytical skills to complete this part of the course rather than he's just watching a match. This will be useful in many careers even non sporting ones.

SurlyCue · 29/05/2015 15:57

Is it sports journalism? I have a family member doing that and he has to watch a lot of matches and then prepare write-ups on them. Obviously not being on the course i am only aware of a very basic description of it. Do you think maybe you also arent aware of all that his course consists of? Wink

Jengnr · 29/05/2015 15:58

A friend of mine has an excellent career lecturing in and watching football. Nice work if you can get it!

manchestermummy · 29/05/2015 16:01

Also, do you actually know what he's doing as part of the course? I assume you've looked in detail at the course handbook and module structure.

I'm being facetious because it's hurtful to have your choices questioned and I really hope you aren't voicing your concerns to him.

inMansplicable · 29/05/2015 16:10

Rugby is a reasonably complex game in terms of tactics and match strategy, you may scoff because it doesn't appear so but it is worlds away from eg: football. It is well worth studying if only for personal development and if he had a flair for it, it could lead to a prestigious career within the sport.

Relax.

Gumps · 29/05/2015 16:19

YABU. My Dh works in rugby an there are a lot of career choices these days in all sorts of professional sports. Those that get to the top usually come from a university background. My passion is also sport and I too have made a career out of it following on from my chosen degree.

Bathsheba · 29/05/2015 16:49

I have a Masters in Sociology of Sport from a very highly regarded Red Brick University...

We used to spend many hours in the pub watching football.

It was extremely relevent...!!!!!

AnyoneForTennis · 29/05/2015 16:55

Rather be out in the fresh air studying sport than in a stuffy library or museum studying 'history'!!

Lavenderice · 29/05/2015 16:56

Not your circus, not your monkeys. (At last an opportunity to use my new favourite phrase)

Original poster
pettywitchinlondon · 29/05/2015 17:25

Well I bet your friend that has a career watching rugby didn't do a degree in it.

No need to be critical of my degree,anyway he sits watching games on his laptop.

I do want my face rammed full of cake as my concern does come from a good place. My friend works in hr and pretty much all these people that did dance and visual arts or a degree in printmaking don't get to an inverview if that is it of their experience.

Is there really the jobs out there for the people doing the courses on rugby? Still think with the cost of uni its a very bad investment.

My history degree was very highly regarded and help me get a very good consulting job.

OP posts:
ThroughThickAndThin01 · 29/05/2015 17:27

Nothing to do with you, what your nephew does tbh.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 29/05/2015 17:27

My DHs degree in history got him a job with bog all to do with history.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 29/05/2015 17:36

Meh, I just think that if you are going to be picky about someone's education, then you should ensure your own written English is immaculate.

AnyoneForTennis · 29/05/2015 17:36

Ooh get you op! Stealth boasting by putting down other family members, you sound......dull tbh

AnyoneForTennis · 29/05/2015 17:42

Oh, and op..... Your job(s) aren't all that, I saw you on the benefits cap thread moaning you've been twice made redundant! And you a have another thread today moaning about your work and colleagues, so you don't have a great career really,do you?

GnomeDePlume · 29/05/2015 17:47

Perhaps you have been living in a cave for a while. Sport is now a huge industry. Lots of people earn their living in as coaches, physios, commentators, analysts, nutritional advisers...... The list goes on. It isnt just the players who are paid.

Rugby Union went professional in the mid 90s (in case you missed it).

Grumpyoldbiddy · 29/05/2015 17:48

My son did a degree in archeology, he moves between jobs in retail and surveying. What sort of consulting job requires a degree in history?

You've just been told by a number of people that there are lots of opportunities for your nephew. Were these somehow insufficient for your needs?

You really are being unreasonable and snobby

SolomanDaisy · 29/05/2015 17:51

Oh, I thought he was going to be doing medicine. That seemed to involve a lot of rugby when I was at uni.

Original poster
pettywitchinlondon · 29/05/2015 17:56

Your saying my job isn't very good because in over 20 year two companies I've worked for have gone under? Also that my current job isn't any good as I'm pissed that people keep nicking stuff from my desk? Confused

At least I'm talking about my genuine concerns on an annon forum, rather than just being nasty to someone personally.

OP posts:
Grumpyoldbiddy · 29/05/2015 18:03

Nasty about someone behind their back instead?

It's really a genuine concern that your nephew is studying sports?