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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What do you think of ppl with multiple degrees/qualifications etc?

445 replies

lapitup · 25/09/2020 18:15

What do you think of a person when you hear they have a more than average amount of degrees/postgrads/masters etc and qualifications?

Do you think...good for them,they must be smart,have ambition, drive etc!

Or.

Do you think...god could they not make their mind up and/or stick to something??

OP posts:
Ginfordinner · 26/09/2020 11:35

I prefer to learn by doing rather than studying, so I suppose there are others that are the complete opposite.

Same here. I have had to learn how to use different software over the years for work, and been on training courses. I have done many years of language evening classes just because I wanted to, but they were stress free with no exams at the end, and I have done a photo editing course, again, because I wanted to.

None of them have resulted in a degree though Grin

But I must admit that I don't know why anyone needs so many degrees?

I often wonder why. The same as people who have 7 0r 8 A levels. Why?

RedRumTheHorse · 26/09/2020 11:36

@hedgehogger1

I think they must have a lot of time!
No you just plan your time better.

I used my commutes to study for the degree I did part-time and many of the students I met on my courses did the same.

SueEllenMishke · 26/09/2020 11:41

But I must admit that I don't know why anyone needs so many degrees?
I often wonder why. The same as people who have 7 0r 8 A levels. Why?

Some people enjoy studying and others need them for work ....

I have a BSc, MSc, PGCert, PhD and a professional diploma. Every single one of those qualifications is either been a professional requirement or a recommendation so has therefore helped me progress. I'm now an academic but prior to that I worked outside of academia. I've done them all while working full time and some of them while I had a child

MintChocAddict · 26/09/2020 11:42

Depends on whether they're career related/necessary/advantageous for career progression or simply done to avoid entering employment. There's absolutely no point in having multiple qualifications if you lack the most basic skills to manage a day to day job.

ZolaGrey · 26/09/2020 11:42

@CurlyhairedAssassin

It's all done around working full time plus 4DC.

See, in that type of situation then I start wondering how demanding the course actually is if you can fit it round that. I’m not sure all degrees are equal these days.

Also I might wonder if you have a cleaner or if your house is just a bit messy or if you’re actually superhuman and don’t need much sleep and can just do it all perfectly.

And as much as I hate to say it, I’m going to - a small part of me wonders if your children are getting all the attention they need, or if you fit all your study in after they’ve all gone to bed. And if it’s the latter, HOW are you not exhausted?

I don't even know where to start with this.

You wonder how someone fits it in and then when they say they do you wonder if their house is a mess and their kids are neglected.

I bet nobody asks men these questions.

RedRumTheHorse · 26/09/2020 11:43

@Ginfordinner I know people who needed a Masters to get their job in Education/Health and then their employer decided they needed more training. To ensure the training was a decent standard they encouraged them to do another Masters.

GrumpyHoonMain · 26/09/2020 11:47

Depends on the subjects really

lapitup · 26/09/2020 11:48

@CurlyhairedAssassin it's called drive and determination, I find the more I have to do the better I am with time management.

I know someone who did a research based phd whilst working part time as a midwife and also had her own baby at the same time!! Oh and no cleaner either Hmm

OP posts:
Redyoyo · 26/09/2020 11:49

If i am hiring at a junior level and they are not relevant to the position i think, this person is not going to stay around long.

Ginfordinner · 26/09/2020 11:49

I should have said that I don't understand why people have so many degrees when they aren't required for employment/career progression - ie those who study for "fun".

I guess it is a reflection of me disliking studying Grin

HotPatootiebootie · 26/09/2020 11:50

I have a few various level 3 qualification , a ba and a masters and looking to do a phd. But it's just for fun and to keep me busy. I'm disabled and can't work so just like to keep going and stop my mind from rotting . Given the choice I would always be studying but it's finances. My study up to now has cost about £50k And I know there is not certain 2nd degrees available with the ou and you can get government funding for them so I might even do that.

blueshoes · 26/09/2020 11:57

PhilCornwall You did not hire her, I assume. Why not? If you did, how did she turn out?

PhilCornwall1 · 26/09/2020 11:59

@blueshoes

PhilCornwall You did not hire her, I assume. Why not? If you did, how did she turn out?
She did get the job, not because of the multiple degrees, but because she was the best of the lot. She's now a Manager of another team in the business unit.
TidyDancer · 26/09/2020 12:00

The two people I know with multiple degree level qualifications or above can't function outside of academia so that's my first thought. I admire the dedication and patience involved. Like someone mentioned up thread, I think 'possible twat' if they put all the letters after their name. And I'm also a bit jealous they have the time and money for it!

SueEllenMishke · 26/09/2020 12:00

I agree ZolaGrey it was a disgraceful post.

Both me and DH did PhDs with a small child ( they overlapped for 18 months)
Both worked full time yet I was the only one who was ever asked how I fit it all in.....

PhilCornwall1 · 26/09/2020 12:03

@CurlyhairedAssassin

It's all done around working full time plus 4DC.

See, in that type of situation then I start wondering how demanding the course actually is if you can fit it round that. I’m not sure all degrees are equal these days.

Also I might wonder if you have a cleaner or if your house is just a bit messy or if you’re actually superhuman and don’t need much sleep and can just do it all perfectly.

And as much as I hate to say it, I’m going to - a small part of me wonders if your children are getting all the attention they need, or if you fit all your study in after they’ve all gone to bed. And if it’s the latter, HOW are you not exhausted?

🍿 👀
CandyLeBonBon · 26/09/2020 12:03

I'm just about to start my masters. I'm a single parent of three and run my own business so I'm laughing at the comment about having too much time on my hands! I'm doing it because it's in my field and it furthers my knowledge. And I like learning!

CandyLeBonBon · 26/09/2020 12:04

@formerbabe

Delayed adolescence and a reluctance to grow up usually
How very condescending
seayork2020 · 26/09/2020 12:04

There are people who enjoy and getting qualifications but there are some very high achievers who would benefit from a qualification in every day living or as i have been told by some 'they missed the department of commonsense'

Stokeywonk20 · 26/09/2020 12:05

It depends:

I might think they want to move industry and it was a sensible option.

I might think they are flakey.

I might think they had the time and money and enjoy studying.

I might think their career has stalled and they saw this as a quick fix (very common in my area and it doesn’t work).

I don’t think “wow they’re clever” as that’s not what it shows.

blueshoes · 26/09/2020 12:07

I prefer to learn by doing rather than studying, so I suppose there are others that are the complete opposite.

Same here. I have had to learn how to use different software over the years for work, and been on training courses. I have done many years of language evening classes just because I wanted to, but they were stress free with no exams at the end, and I have done a photo editing course, again, because I wanted to.

None of them have resulted in a degree though

I identify with the above.

I dislike taking exams and never took one after I got my undergraduate degree and professional qualification.

My job requires constant self-learning and is in an area that is fast developing, legally and systems-wise. I attend webinars, lectures as part of staying on top of industry trends and intelligence and give training in this area and develop new processes and systems. I enjoy this and get paid nicely for it too. Much more fun that just being lectured to or doing hypotheticals or writing essays . Somehow at work, people prefer not to think too deeply about complicated and dry things and I am paid to do that for them and tell them what to do based on my knowledge of regulations and market practice. I then have to persuade people to change their behaviours.

This is real world application alongside learning about new things and solving real life problems and working with human beings and technology.

I cannot see a degree being more interesting than this. As an employer, I would prefer work experience over just a degree/qualification, but will value a qualification over someone with no experience because it shows interest. But multiple degrees with little work experience to match raise a question mark about the person.

toconclude · 26/09/2020 12:11

@MissPoldark

Lots of time on their hands. Completing a masters is more about time and money than it is about intelligence.
Wrong. And no, I don't have one.
VickySunshine · 26/09/2020 12:14

Clever so and so's.

seayork2020 · 26/09/2020 12:16

Thinking more qualifications show good organisational skills and dedication but not intelligence or 'brains' or 'being clever' but great time management skills

Camomila · 26/09/2020 12:17

I bet nobody asks men these questions.

I'm glad someone said it! Right now I'm studying (5m mumsnet break! I like the pomodoro technique) and neither DC is being neglected - DS1 is playing lego with DH, DS2 is asleep.

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