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

[bluebadgehelp101]

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.

Agree that it's not just the degree that will get you somewhere.

My brother did an integrated masters in chemistry at a prestigious UK university, but he just works in admin now. He had the opportunity to go in to banking but didn't apply himself.

Geology > geography teacher > now deputy head

Salary £70k

History (I know! ) but I now work in housing for a la and have a work related master’s, just under 40k and hopefully on my way up.

I did an archaeological science degree, worked in the field a few years then converted to law. Now work in house with a good salary and excellent working hours but feeling a bit dissatisfied. Not sure why really but definitely have itchy feet.

History degree (Russell Group). Worked as a computer programmer for a few years. Then did law conversion and LPC. Now a lawyer.

Maybe I've noticed these more because of my experience but there are a lot of lawyers and history graduates on mumsnet! And teachers.

In agreement with a PP's observation that at her selective university people did what they liked because they knew that law, accountancy etc would take people with any degree, that was certainly my experience in the late 90s and History was seen as a particularly good one. Spent lots of time in careers library as I didn't know what I wanted to do and there were so many opportunities which didn't specify a particular degree.

English literature and I’m a primary teacher. I originally applied and for law but had a change of heart last minute and did something I loved instead of something I thought would get me a good career. It was the right decision.

I did Classics, fell into HR and now am a SAHP

English and History. Graduated in 1995
Work in an office. 23k.

@DanielRicciardosSmile

Haven’t lived in Wales “since” would be more appropriate. I studied at Bangor, Much like you we were all encouraged to take up a subsidiary in Welsh in our first year (a 10 credit module each semester). I really enjoyed it and could get easy constant practise in North Wales so carried on. It’s at least been a talking point in my interviews in England.

I love Wales, spent many happy holidays there as a child and teenager. I think I thought it was romantic, which is was. If somewhat impractical! I might have considered staying in NW if I hadn’t met my English husband in my final year, I was very happy in Bangor.

Psychology, do not chose this. The most oversubscribed degree and least likely to get to work in the field due to the competition. I know several people in the 30s on one hear 18-23k contracts to get themselves on the doctorate which is so so competitive.
I had enough and I'm now retraining by myself to accounting, much better earning potential.

German and Law. It was a compromise between me and DF who wanted me to be a solicitor.

I'm now a conveyancing solicitor on £40k FTE. I've never been ambitious and like the fact I don't have to work long hours.

I wouldn't recommend law now and I'm glad DS is showing ability in maths and science.

Biomedical science and biomedical scientist working in a hospital.

@PinkyBrain

History (I know! ) but I now work in housing for a la and have a work related master’s, just under 40k and hopefully on my way up.

Don't knock a history degree! It's a really sought after subject by graduate employers.....especially for accountancy and similar type jobs. They love the skills history graduates develop

English / American studies first degree; Publishing postgrad degree - while working full time. Publishing and 70k.

The quote from a PP on p1 is accurate - it’s about having energy to push forwards and get what you want!

Degrees are tragically overrated.
To think that you give up 3-4 years of working FT plus pay £10,000 per year to learn "critical thinking skills" as a PP put it...
Critical thinking and analytical skills can be achieved in the workplace just as effectively - and you get paid for it.

When I'm comparing CVs - the candidate with 10 years experience will win over the candidate with 7 years experience and a degree. (obviously oversimplified but you know what i mean)

To think that you give up 3-4 years of working FT
Or to put it another way ....you'll be working for decades so why not spend some time developing skills and learning new things before joining the rat race?

I did my degree part time over six years whilst working FT.

And I got my publishing contract tangentially through contacts made during my degree, so I consider it was worth it.

Literature with History degree. Now in PR and communications.

@SueEllenMishke

To think that you give up 3-4 years of working FT Or to put it another way ....you'll be working for decades so why not spend some time developing skills and learning new things before joining the rat race?

But you can develop new skills and learn new things without generating debt of at least 3 to 4 years tuition fees.

Of course you can however there are a few things to bear in mind:

• Not everyone knows what they want to do at 18. This makes it difficult to pick a job and convince an employer to take you on. In this case choosing a degree subject you enjoy and taking some time to develop skills and explore the labour market with the help of your university careers service.

• Lots of jobs want degree educated employees. There is a reason for this. Sometimes it's job specific skills and sometimes its the more generic transferable skills. You can't replicate good higher education in the work place. However, it works well when you combine the two. A good education and the opportunity to apply this in a professional setting. At my university 100% of courses have a placement element ( even the more traditional courses such as History and English)

University isn't for everyone but i don't think the solution is to get everyone working at 18.

I’m on 38k with my nursing BSc and Masters degree in English and Education in the Civil Service. I actually earned more working as a personal assistant in banking in the City! But where I live, my current salary is really good. I’m happy but thinking about doing a PGCE.

In contrast, DH has a 2.2 in a science subject and joined the armed forces as an officer. They paid for his masters degree and he’s on around £60k (with a really good pension.)

In the City, most PA/EA jobs want a good degree these days.

BA and MA in English Literature. Now work as a journalist. I earn £29k a year (but only graduated in early 2018). My wage has gone up £11k since then.

Loved my degree, love my job. It went well for me as I know a lot who ended up in admin or something similar. Some retrained as teachers this year (great for them I'd have hated it).

I did English followed by a law conversion. Am now a barrister in employed practice for the government, I earn about £60k FTE but currently part time. I'm glad I did English to pursue a passion, I feel like I got a better degree because I enjoyed it more. That said, it would be an expensive way to do it these days. I was lucky tuition fees were lower back then!

@FluffyKittensinabasket I have lots of friends who are PAs who have no degree and earn £40k ish. All my age (25).