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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

SurlyCue · 29/05/2015 18:16

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

Why on earth not? Your nephew is getting a degree in it. My family member currently has a job in sport whilst completing his degree in sports journalisim. Not sure why you think it isnt possible to get a job with a degree in sport. although you dont even seem to know what the degree is! Your problem just seems to be that is is sport related. Very snobby.

manchestermummy · 29/05/2015 18:24

I did a degree in a performance art. Two, in fact.

My first job on graduating was directly related to my degree, and has led to a successful 15-year career. I've never been unemployed so all those people in HR weren't throwing out my application with my wasteful qualifications on...

Incidentally I find that most ugs are very aware of how much their education is costing and do take that into consideration. Moreover, many HEIs take the view that they have to ensure their graduates are employable, and monitor the destinations of their leavers closely. Some provide opportunities for work during study; others run graduate intern schemes.

It's that, in conjunction with a degree, that will get him on in his future. That and maybe a little family support.

Lavenderice · 29/05/2015 19:21

My you are more than a bit snobby and judgemental aren't you?

My degree is not unlike some of the degrees you apparently think are useless. That degree helped me get my MPhil and I had a number of very high flying jobs before I changed career to be a social worker.

lljkk · 29/05/2015 19:27

I think of (Dr) Mark Kermode who got a degree from watching movies.
Now he makes a career out of talking about watching them.
People who are good at aspects of our entertainment driven society have pretty good opportunities out there.

Original poster

pettywitchinlondon · 29/05/2015 19:29

A few anecdotal stories about mickey mouse degrees getting a good job doesn't prove anything. Regardless the job market is probably very very different now to when you got these good jobs.

OP posts:

AnyoneForTennis · 29/05/2015 19:32

What's a Mickey Mouse degree op??

noddyholder · 29/05/2015 19:33

Why would you worry? None of your business

SurlyCue · 29/05/2015 19:34

Mickey mouse degrees

You're so ignorant but i find it amusing so keep it coming.

noddyholder · 29/05/2015 19:35

I would say at least three quarters of my friends and family work in media and all have really good standard of living bla bla All the people I know who have had it tough on and off over the years have 'proper' degrees!

noddyholder · 29/05/2015 19:37

The op was on the benefits cap thread referring to them as 'juicy' benefits so tbh not that well informed

noddyholder · 29/05/2015 19:37

Friends son and daughter both graduated in lsat 2 years and have really good jobs in TV.

Lavenderice · 29/05/2015 21:08

Aside from being frankly astounded by your rudeness OP I have so ask, why are you so over-invested in your nephews life? It's not your money he "wasting" one would have thought with your apparent intellect you could find something else to worry your poor little judgemental mind over.

RagstheInvincible · 29/05/2015 22:31

Rugby now being a professional sport in both codes, this strikes me as an excellent training for future employment. He could well end up as coach of his national side with a knighthood to boot.

LynetteScavo · 29/05/2015 22:37

Well, it's a bit late to be worrying about your DN's choice now....maybe you should have looked into his choice before he signed up for the course.

I have nephews and nieces who make life decisions I never would. Doesn't mean what they are doing is useless although I'd probably flip out if my DC made the same choices

Only time will tell if they've mad mistakes or not.

YsabellStoHelit · 29/05/2015 23:00

Sport is a massive multi million pound industry. Can't say if it's the easiest industry to get into but that's not unusual. I have a film degree would you like to point out how much I wasted my time as well?

HappyMeerkat · 29/05/2015 23:12

All courses have outside work, could be a case of doing it and dissecting in a lecture/tutorial or into action in a practical

manaboutthemaison · 29/05/2015 23:43

I have two friends who spend most of their time studying rugby, both earn a bloody fortune !

MrsGentlyBenevolent · 29/05/2015 23:58

I have what most would call a 'proper subject' degree. Not high brow, but solid in subject matter. Hasn't gotten me anywhere in terms of career. Partner did a 'modern' degree, has a career he loves on the back of it. A degree that involves watching so much rugby sounds brilliant - fantastic for critical and strategical thinking, writing and so forth. The sports industry is one that will never go under as well, smart choice overall.

backsoon · 30/05/2015 00:23

You'd expect anyone doing a sports degree to be watching / playing lots of sport (as well as reading about it) - that's going to be the core research material, in the same way as english lit students read lots of novels. I bet it is a very professionally-focused course, and students have a good idea about the job opportunities it will give them access to.

Plarail123 · 30/05/2015 03:07

NOYB is this a stealth boast about your history degree?

textfan · 30/05/2015 04:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Koalafications · 30/05/2015 05:17

What the fuck has your DN's choices got to with you?!

Busy yourself with your own life.

QueenBean · 30/05/2015 05:48

This thread is brilliant. I love mumsnet for the sheer volume of put-downs dished out to the op.

Op, of course what you're saying is bollocks - there is room for a wide variety of jobs and degrees in the world.

Maybe your DN will do you a favour - with he and those like him doing Mickey Mouse degrees instead of good proper degrees, your important history degree will now be more valuable and sought after thanks to fewer people being qualified in it! A win for you surely!

Out2pasture · 30/05/2015 06:26

well I understand your concern. put 3 kids through uni and did tons of research as to what the job prospects were following school. made strong suggestions and am very glad I did.
as for one particular course involving the review of rugby games; if it has grabbed his attention let it be, ask questions about the assignments, possibly enjoy reading some of them. there is so much to learn at uni, so much book work etc. great that the format is interesting.
foster his interest in continuing his studies, i'm sure it will get harder.
as for job prospects in this day and age one never knows, but you can't take away an education and it always opens doors.
by the way I know several young science majors who went on to take an electrical apprenticeship ;)

Original poster

pettywitchinlondon · 30/05/2015 07:07

Lol at the op being a snob about 'mickey mouse degrees' while using modern media (probably run by people with such degrees

But a computer science degree isn't a mm degree.

Anyway hope your all right. Went out with my friend that did the dance and visual arts degree last night, she wishes someone would of stopped her from doing that, she didn't think it was a good use of her time and had to retrain to be a nurse after. She would of been mortified if she got into 50k of debt for it.

Thanks out2, that's just the reassuring post I was wanting.

OP posts:

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