To ask what your degree was and what you do now?

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And how much you earn?

One thing that I have learned on MN is that hard work isn't enough and that you need to work smart too. This is something I am really trying to instil in my dc; they are coming up to uni age and I don't think the school are giving them great advice. There is a massive assumption that everyone will go to university, but no.push toward degrees that have better earning potential or are in demand. Our family circumstances have meant that I am a carer for disabled ds, and therefore I can't help the dc much financially in life. I really, really want them to have the best chance at succeeding in life rather than going to uni for 'the experience' and I'm nosy so like to hear what everyone does too.

Unless they have a vocation, I think it far better to do a subject they enjoy rather than one that you think might end up being lucrative. If they're not into the subject, they're likely to end up with a poor degree which employers tend not to love. And again, unless vocational, in some ways the actual subject you study is irrelevant. In my household, there are degrees in French literature and in Geology. Neither of us have ever used those for work but we both have what might be considered good jobs, and no financial worries.

I did law at university, mostly because I thought it would be a good degree to have. Didn't get a training contract, worked in admin then data protection. I now work for a council as a policy manager, on about 50k a year.

English Philology. Work as secretary to an American lawyer.

Education and I'm a teacher.

"The most misleading idea I picked up at school was that success is the result of intelligence. It’s not: it’s the result of doing things. This seems so obvious now, I can’t believe nobody drummed it into me at school. So I never did an internship or tried to get myself elected to a prestigious student body. I assumed my good grades would transform themselves into a job. I spent three years working in a bookshop. When we think we see intellect what we’re really looking at is energy. The really energetic write pushy emails demanding work. They apply for grants, they go to parties, they network. All this stuff is exhausting and a lot of people who do it are ghastly, but it should be more widely taught that life requires this sort of effort.”
James Marriott in The Times

Medicine, SAHP

Sorry just to clarify pippi I don't mean I intend to guide them into lucrative degrees to the detriment of what they love, but more to offer honest, says advice, particularly to my dd's. If I had had a better degree (and waited to have children) I would probably be in a much better position.

History and I’m an intervention coordinator in a special school. I adore my job, the pay is crap.

I read English at uni, am now a SAHM, but used to work in university admissions (a different university).
The quote above was sent to me a few months ago and I've saved it so I can show it to my kids when they are a little older.

I did biomedical science, was a biomedical scientist for 6 years, then retrained as a clinical scientist, recently completed my masters in clinical science (cardiology). I absolutely could not have done either of these jobs without relevant degrees. I would advise that they pick their degree subjects carefully, as once you’ve got a degree it’s very difficult to get the funding to go back and do another one if you’ve made the wrong choice. If they’re not sure about what they want to study then there’s no harm in taking a year out and gaining experience in areas they’re interested in. I also recommend studying vocational subjects and gaining as much relevant experience that they can.

Classics, I’m a strategy manager now. I’d definitely advocate doing something you love unless you want to be a doctors etc in which case you need to follow the right degree path.

Also look at degree apprenticeships - can be a great way to get ahead :)!

I have a media studies degree followed by a PGCE in secondary English. I now teach English in a special school. I knew in my 2nd year I would have to do further study to not end up in a dead end job. BUT the degree and subsequent vocational post grad was totally my choice and if my parents had tried to steer me I wouldn’t have listened! In the end personality counts for a lot in getting a ‘decent ‘ job and you have to know what you want in order to work towards it. I couldn’t have done a STEM degree (which is always seen as the only degree worth doing) if my life depended in on it! Equally don’t train to be a teacher / nurse etc if you don’t want to do that job!

Languages, went into the Civil Service graduate entry initially, left in 1994 to become a teacher. I was earning more in 1994 than I earn now. Wouldn't change the job I do now for anything.

English Lit BA Hons then Primary PGCE. I'm a civil servant now, administrator for the military. Before that I was a retail manager for a bit. PGCE has been surprisingly useful for both jobs!

Economics, I work as an investment banker and earn six figures.

My degree was rather niche, most ended up in teaching. I work in the City in something completely unrelated, earn around 80.

If they have he aptitude I will guide mine towards a profession rather than a vocation , and something that can't be replaced by AI.

IME the actual degree subject is less relevant than the quality of they student and how they interview on graduate intake days.

There is also a lot to be said for apprenticeships, day release to uni and ear all the way through.

Biology (was told at school that life sciences was a growth area in early 90s). Did well but huge competition for jobs. I got a lab job but it was poorly paid and not a safe environment for my asthma. I’m now a management accountant working part time in public sector health research. My degree helps me communicate with researchers. Full time salary of £37k which is good for the area I live in. I could have progressed but happy being a middle achiever due to family commitments.

Also sorry if it’s not clear but I love my job and had done lots of voluntary work with children before and while at uni.

I read Business IT 20 years ago but been stuck in admin jobs ever since. When Mum/Dad graduated 50-60 years ago, they were 1-in-20. When my generation graduated, we were 1-in-2... common as muck.

Law, now a lawyer, earn £55,000pa. I love it but it’s not for everyone - there’s a high attrition rate. But if you like it there is a very clear path of career progression and in most cases it pays well.

That quote makes so much sense didn't, I too will be printing it out and giving it to the dc.

Among my relatives:

Economics > Accountant
Economics > Financial IT
Medicine > Doctor
Maths > Teacher
History > Civil Service
Politics > works for an MP

Physics.

Was a maths teacher for a while, now work in a completely unrelated field having done two further degrees.

Law undergraduate followed by Legal Practice Course. Did not pursue a Training Contract but went into business, in a completely unrelated field. The LPC was (and still is to a degree) brilliant for giving me confidence in HR, contracting etc. much more than the LLB. £80k+ (dependent on the success of the business during the year)

Maths

Data consultant £45k