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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wonder if it's possible to have a decent job without a degree?

44 replies

Mindsthelimit · 26/04/2017 12:30

I'm currently a sahm, I have a degree in a subject/area that I don't want to go back to. Financially I can't afford to fund another degree.

Are there jobs with decent money and prospects without holding a related degree?

I don't mind retraining through my local college or even online, I feel like a teenager again deciding on what I want to do!

Please come and tell me all about your job

OP posts:

kirstxx · 26/04/2017 13:43

Some jobs will like the fact that you've got a degree regardless of subject area.

When I left uni I wanted to earn some decent money and have some time out from my degree subject because final year was fucking horrendous before looking for a job in my field for much less money.

I started in an insurance job taking incoming calls, quickly worked my way to handling claims and there would have been more opportunities had I wanted to stay. I definitely wouldn't say you need a degree to get a decent (non-retail if that's not what you want to do) job.

RedStripeIassie · 26/04/2017 13:49

I don't have a degree and don't earn loads but I love my job. Working with the public, good pension and maternity pay and thankfully right now good long term sick pay.

If I was full time I'd be on £23:000.

amusedbush · 26/04/2017 13:49

I am on okay money in university admin, which is well paid for the work required and very secure. I started my degree part time in September 2016 but I've been promoted twice in the last five years with no qualifications past Scottish Highers.

Original poster

Mindsthelimit · 26/04/2017 14:01

pink! I totally agree with you, I know if I can get a foot in the door somewhere I'll be fine. where would I find a career coach? there are a few services local to me but I think they are mainly aimed at school leavers and some projects running that you need to be claiming jsa to access.

Open university is an option, I think I'm scared of retraining and then not finding something. Ideally I'd like a job I can walk into now and then possibly train on the job.

OP posts:

BarbaraofSeville · 26/04/2017 14:07

Are apprenticeships open to anyone or is there an age limit?

One of the most successful well paid people I know started out as an apprentice auto electrician aged 16 and now teaches half of Europe how to teach people to fix trucks.

If I was starting again, I'd do something physical and practial as that's the side of my job that I like best, crawling all over big machines in factories. The bit that's sitting in an office or making presentations not so much.

Cineraria · 26/04/2017 14:11

Neither DH nor I have a degree. We both have decent jobs and I'm now completing a work related Masters degree (distance learning), having met its entry requirements through my professional experience, so even universities understand that a degree is not the only way to develop knowledge at that level.

DH became a software developer, self taught, and after working through various basic grade jobs, became a consultant and now a manager. He can earn a three figure salary if he works in the finance sector but generally prefers to work outside it, so rather less.

I took a vocational course on leaving school at sixteen as I wanted to teach older children a practical subject, so needed to study one! I then completed a two year distance learning course (PGCE for post compulsory education and training) through the University of Greenwich but ended up with a job teaching Adult Literacy, Numeracy, Key Skills and Functional Skills rather than the vocational area, I'd studied and worked in whilst completing my teacher training. I became responsible for quality assurance, internal provision of teacher and assessor training and supporting with development of new programmes in that organisation and eventually branched out on my own as an educational consultant for FE, independent training providers and professional development within organisations.

Might you enjoy completing some teacher training for teaching adults at your local college (usually evening classes) and teaching leadership and management in a company Professional Development role to pass on your knowledge to others?

gabsdot · 26/04/2017 14:17

My husband has a great job and he didn't have a degree when he started it. He does now but it's in an unrelated field
His job is in IT and he had some relevent work experience but he mainly got the job because he has grey hair and the director who was on the interview panel loved that he wasn't a "young fellah". (he was 35 but the grey hair aged him a bit)

Original poster

Mindsthelimit · 26/04/2017 14:20

cineraria that's actually one of the courses I've been looking at. I have 2 areas I could possibly teach in. Your job sounds really interesting!

So I've made a list of some areas i'm interested in/ have some skills in.

Post 16 teaching
HR assistant
admin work of some kind !?
book keeping
accountancy- would need further training

All pretty different from my previous career and I'm not sure how I would get into any of them...

OP posts:

pinkdelight · 26/04/2017 18:23

Where are you based? There's loads of career coaches in London, but many also Skype or do phone or online sessions and you can just have a couple of sessions, it needn't be a big pricey package. Have a google and take your pick. Glad you're sounding more positive. We can really hold ourselves back, not just being women but being British, when self-deprecation can easily slip into doing ourselves down. But it's not wanky to focus on your strengths and big yourself up as long as it's all true. Loads of luck!

Letseatgrandma · 26/04/2017 18:27

What was your degree and what wasn't your £50k a year job prior to children?

Letseatgrandma · 26/04/2017 18:29

Sorry-I've mixed you and the second poster up!

I am a teacher if that helps, but I really wouldn't recommend that .

originalbiglymavis · 26/04/2017 18:31

Highly possible to have a rubbish job with several degrees...

sonlypuppyfat · 26/04/2017 18:36

My old boss left school at 15 , never read a book I could hardly read his writing. He lives in a massive country house drives round in a quarter of a million pound Ferrari and spends months travelling the world. So yes I think you can have a decent job without a degree

strayduck · 26/04/2017 18:36

I work in IT with no degree and also no technical certifications. Earn £42k. I started on help desk and worked my why up to cloud ops manager.

I did start at OU degree, 2yrs in, have just had to withdraw due to time management issues with full time work and a family! I think certs will be more beneficial now.

strayduck · 26/04/2017 18:37

Forgot to say that I love my job.

dilapidated · 26/04/2017 18:37

Another one with a god job and no degree or a levels.

I earn more than my dp who has a degree.

There is progression, flexibility, support and yearly bonuses.

My ex didn't have a degree and by 29 he was earning nearly £100k a year

Obsidian77 · 26/04/2017 18:43

What are you good at and what do you want to do?

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 26/04/2017 18:43

I don't have a degree and haven't found it has held me back. I work in the civil service and am middle management level. It can be flexible too, and there is an emphasis on competency rather than qualification in the recruitment process.

MatildaTheCat · 26/04/2017 18:59

A friend is working for the local council in finance. She doesn't have a degree but a good mathematical brain. They are paying for her to do her accountancy exams as well as paying her a decent salary. Also has the perks of public sector employment.

Another friend did PGGE and went to teach business and management at a local college, mainly doing training for private companies but also some young students. She found it really hard work to stay on top of it with young DC and did loads more than her set hours. She left in the end.

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