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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think you can't have a good career without a degree?

51 replies

Sunflowers095 · 05/04/2021 16:22

I moved to the UK alone when I was 18 and didn't have any financial support so studying was never an option.

Then I worked my way up slowly while paying for professional qualifications to get ahead and currently I earn an ok salary and I'm past the entry level/graduate level job stage.

AIBU to think not having a degree might stop me at having a good career at some point? I work in marketing if that makes a difference.

If you don't have a degree have you ever felt like it might stop you/encountered any issues with getting promoted etc?

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 05/04/2021 16:24

Rubbish. I’ve got loads of friends who haven’t got a degree who have great careers.

Why are you thinking about this?

Kendodd · 05/04/2021 16:25

Massive shortage of trades people like plumbers, builders etc. Well paid and don't need a degree.

Twizbe · 05/04/2021 16:26

One of the most successful people I know doesn't have a degree. She's done amazingly well in her career.

She's even been profiled for some industry magazines recently.

Original poster
Sunflowers095 · 05/04/2021 16:27

@AnneLovesGilbert

Rubbish. I’ve got loads of friends who haven’t got a degree who have great careers.

Why are you thinking about this?

Because I'm looking to take the next step into a more senior role but the job market is really tough just now. And in filtering out CV's it's probably quite easy to just filter out people without a degree etc.
OP posts:
Thefamilybusiness · 05/04/2021 16:27

Untrue. I know plenty successful people who don't have a degree.
I have a degree but choose to do a minimum wage job because it suits my life and I love it.

Original poster
Sunflowers095 · 05/04/2021 16:28

Thanks for the replies so far everyone! I'm quite young so not sure if this is the same as it used to be, I assume degrees overall were less common 10-20 years ago vs now when many people do have them?

OP posts:
CoRhona · 05/04/2021 16:29

I think for other careers possibly not but for marketing yes, it's a crowded market and employers have a wealth of applicants.

sst1234 · 05/04/2021 16:30

It’s not a barrier, but you have to work harder without a degree. Simply because many industry jobs have a higher entry threshold for graduates. Someone working their way would take longer to do so. So more time an commitment needed.
Conversely, a degree is no guarantee for getting beyond entry level.

chillied · 05/04/2021 16:31

I think now you've got experience and professional qualifications (especially those) you'll be ok.

Depends if you ever try to move into something where the recruitment is stickler tick box.

I think having a degree opened doors to interviews for me early on. Nobody would notice it now, they'd be looking at my previous jobs.

DH doesn't have a degree and is now on his third 'career' this time at a local council.

ChocOrange1 · 05/04/2021 16:32

Depends what you mean by a "good career". My husband earns over £40k in an public sector behind the scenes role, with no degree. Our friend works in HQ for a major bank and earns over £35k. Both are early 30s so opportunity of career progression is still there.

Whammyyammy · 05/04/2021 16:32

My BIL runs his own construction firm, which is very successful and he doesn't have a degree.
However, most of his general labourers do.....🤔

Treacletoots · 05/04/2021 16:33

Utter bollocks. I'm a senior digital marketing manager and I've not got a degree. What I do have however is 10 years + experience and proven delivered results, and regularly updated industry creds - Google Analytics, Google AdWords, Facebook and so on.

A degree wouldn't make me pick one candidate over another, I'd prefer someone who had actually worked their way up to where they were with the results to show for it .

Have I ever not got an interview because of it, yes absolutely. Some larger corporates and some companies with hiring managers with a very narrow minded mentality would possibly discount me for this.. but then again, that's not the type of company or culture I would choose to work for either..

Original poster
Sunflowers095 · 05/04/2021 16:34

Thanks so much everyone! I could technically do a third qualification equal to a degree (in the educational framework, I understand it's not a degree). But it's very expensive and time consuming and I wonder if putting that effort into my day to day work, freelancing, developing hands on experience etc would be a bit more useful.

I could also probably do a masters based on work experience but again it's so expensive so I'm just stuck wondering what I should do. It's really helpful to hear other opinions and experiences so thank you all :)

OP posts:
EntreMummy · 05/04/2021 16:34

I do have a degree and have also had a successful 20 year career in communications. The degree did not lead to the success career - it definitely helped at the beginning to get my first couple of jobs over others who would have worked their way up straight from school etc, but after that it’s ambition, determination, and being good at what you do.

Take if from me OP that you definitely don’t need a degree to be successful- there are loads of people in my industry who don’t have conventional degrees.

Marketing is definitely one of those sectors that is all about your experience, where you have worked and how great you are at your job and convincing others how great you are at it!

Don’t worry about not having a degree.
It’s absolutely not necessary in your field.

ChocOrange1 · 05/04/2021 16:35

@Sunflowers095

Thanks for the replies so far everyone! I'm quite young so not sure if this is the same as it used to be, I assume degrees overall were less common 10-20 years ago vs now when many people do have them?
Definitely not 10 years ago. I graduated 10 years ago and almost everyone I know went to university. Maybe 30 years ago.
RedMarauder · 05/04/2021 16:36

I'm related to, work with and friends with people who have done well without undergraduate degrees.

However they either have professional qualifications, a masters degree or both.

In other words they have equivalent qualifications.

Oddly I don't know anyone who works in marketing without an undergraduate degree. However a lot of them fell into marketing after doing jobs that require degrees including teaching and social work.

Original poster
Sunflowers095 · 05/04/2021 16:37

@EntreMummy

I do have a degree and have also had a successful 20 year career in communications. The degree did not lead to the success career - it definitely helped at the beginning to get my first couple of jobs over others who would have worked their way up straight from school etc, but after that it’s ambition, determination, and being good at what you do.

Take if from me OP that you definitely don’t need a degree to be successful- there are loads of people in my industry who don’t have conventional degrees.

Marketing is definitely one of those sectors that is all about your experience, where you have worked and how great you are at your job and convincing others how great you are at it!

Don’t worry about not having a degree.
It’s absolutely not necessary in your field.

Thank you! I think sometimes it just catches me off guard when my existing workplace asks for a degree in their job listings, all my coworkers have degrees etc it's sometimes hard to feel confident in my background. But this is really helpful, thank you so much!
OP posts:
Chilver · 05/04/2021 16:37

I had a very successful career, reaching VP in a multi national without having a degree; this was in sales and operations though. I then decided to switch careers to a chartered profession and yes, you need a degree. However, I am not chartered and already running the business with good salary so the degree was enough to get me in the door.

Alreadyinmypyjamas · 05/04/2021 16:38

Neither of my brothers have degrees. One is a director and the other a senior finance manager.

I don't have one either, and I'm currently mid-level.

Treacletoots · 05/04/2021 16:39

Something else to consider. Those going straight into a job at 16/17, find they've then an additional 5 years experience over their peers who chose to go down the university route. I have seen many very young managers over the years, and the thing they all had in common was that they'd worked their way from the bottom, so no it doesn't mean at all that it will take.longer to get higher. The opposite in fact. I think that's something those with a degree would like to tell themselves to make them feel better about their student debt. Wink

jessstan2 · 05/04/2021 16:40

Of course you can have a career without a degree, you have. Many people have done so, they have in service training and sometimes professional qualifications. It all depends on what sort of career it is.

thisplaceisweird · 05/04/2021 16:40

The wealthiest people I know don't have degrees. Some of the most useless people I know have the most incredible academic background (but just didn't apply themselves). Being successful is more about just seeking out opportunities and putting yourself out there.

Treacletoots · 05/04/2021 16:42

If you want to make yourself more employable, freelancing is always a good idea. Honestly please don't waste your time and money on another qualification. Get the portfolio, experience and most importantly results and you'll be very employable.

Bul21ia · 05/04/2021 16:48

I think it depends OP. For jobs like a plumber then of course it’s not needed a degree.

This also depends on your age/the times of now as 20 years ago people were in the same job roles with no degree but today you need to have a degree.

Okbye · 05/04/2021 16:50

Absolutely don't need a degree to be successful! My husband worked his way from Accounts Assistant up to where he is now as Finance Director with no degree. He self studied though CIMA though and did/paid for it all on his own.
Just have to know what you want, be willing to put the time in and pay your dues.