Gina and Oxford PPE

[Possiblynotever]

My DD is in year 12. She is currently thinking about a History degree and her State school is (heavily) pushing her towards Oxbridge and a double honours. She is giving her best and her results are very good, so she probably will have the marks (although this is no guarantee). She chose a Maths A level and she is finding it hard - she reached an A but with a lot of sweating which in my mind is quite normal. She has decided not to do anything at Uni requiring further maths. Apparently, some of her classmates are amazing, especially those who want to apply for PPE at Oxford, which seems to be the achievement of all achievements. Those who get in are the best of the best, at least in my DD mind. Now, Gina Colandangelo gained an Oxford PPE which means she must have been bloody talented. The only thing she will ever be remembered for was snugging the Health Minister in his office.
What a waste. Why? AIBU in thinking that there is still a cohort of women who work bloody hard to get into the most difficult jobs and then just sit on their achievements? And why do they do this?

Id guess she didn't think she'd get caught out.
Nothing to do with academics. Except perhaps their behaviour betokens arrogance that may come from a background of privilege and not expecting any great scrutiny of ethics from underlings.

It is not about the behaviour (which is unforgivable btw). It's just that this woman does not seem to have done anything with her degree really, apart from working in a leading communication firm quite some time ago.
She certainly had the privileges of the University she went to and of her circle of friends (and see where it got her).
Why wasn't she the one in the office snugging her consultant?
Was it because she had three kids and she got out of the rat race?

Bit confused about this post tbh...firstly a family member read PPE at Oxford and didn't do further maths, so it's not a necessity.

Secondly I wouldn't class Gina Coladangelo as sitting on her achievements, she was in a high-level position and had to resign due to the affair but will probably get another similar role. More of a mistake with repercussions than a lack of ambition.

Oh in googling he RR name I saw she was part of an article (in the mail?) On women who are too clever to be at home with the kids. Didn't read it but clues might be found there if you are interested!

I don't think you can say that her professional accomplishments aren't good! And she's managed it all with three children. She wasn't exactly coasting.

Well, what I have read is that she started working as a consultant for Hancock and she was unpaid at first....frankly, her position and job does not look like a great achievement to me but maybe her responsibilities were far greater than what is generally discussed in the press....

I just find it odd that someone who has pocketed such an amazing degree and with a lot of raw talent to begin with, works as a consultant to her lover.

Her academic results were great achievements.

Although as she was married to one person whose company she was Comms director of, and having a fling with the person who arranged for her to be paid in a senior position, it detracts from what jobs she could have got if she'd done it by herself.

This, exactly!

It is as if she never achieved anything.... not even academically.

Why?

I'm quite impressed you have managed to combine a stealth boast with a bitch/gossip about someone in the news AND a query about her mothering choices.

That's some serious mumsnetting skill level achieved.

Why are you so bothered by her? Her achievements (or lack of in your view ) have absolutely no bearing on the choices available to your daughter whatsoever.

I just find it odd that someone who has pocketed such an amazing degree and with a lot of raw talent to begin with, works as a consultant to her lover

Do you?

I find it odd that you don't realise the reason behind it.

What better way to disguise an affair than to get a job with your lover. That way you have the perfect excuse to spend time with him.

I find it more surprising that she chose to have an affair with someone as bland as Matt Hancock.

Well, yes that's a mystery.

It's up to her what she does with her education

Not everyone who went to Oxford is that clever/ambitious/etc., I promise you!

YABVU to judge anyone else's ambition or career choices.

I have an Oxford degree, and if you knew what I did you'd judge me similarly. I vehemently reject your judgement, having decided that happiness in my life is very poorly correlated with climbing a career ladder.

She certainly had the privileges of the University she went to and of her circle of friends (and see where it got her).

She had the privileges of her family as well ensuring she had a fantastic education to make the most of what she was capable of. She then, as an intelligent adult, made the presumably informed decision to take her life in the direction it has. Why shouldn’t she be allowed to do that?

This thread makes me so angry. Wtf?! Why are you not questioning the waste of space of Oxford degree that is Matt Hancock?

I can't understand how Matt Hancock got on at all.

@pastabest

I'm quite impressed you have managed to combine a stealth boast with a bitch/gossip about someone in the news AND a query about her mothering choices.

That's some serious mumsnetting skill level achieved.

Why are you so bothered by her? Her achievements (or lack of in your view ) have absolutely no bearing on the choices available to your daughter whatsoever.

This. Well said!

She was an equity director at a communications consultancy prior to both of those jobs, I think by most people’s measures that would be considered successful - probably earning north of £120-150k. Many people with PPE from Oxford go into corporate affairs/communications jobs, it’s a fairly well worn path, as is the revolving door between government and these agencies. Shagging the minister optional.

Law is the most competitive entry at Oxford most years, and English right behind. PPE is usually third or fourth but it’s not the most sought-after degree by a long shot. It does appeal to extrovert mathematicians, but you can choose to concentrate on Philosophy and Politics exclusively after the first year.

I know loads of women with stellar qualifications who have decided, for a million different reasons, not to pursue a full speed career. Family or married money is usually bolstering it.

The going consulting rate for a senior strategist (I work in manufacturing management) in the private sector is £2k a day so £1k a day for public sector especially if it enables high level access and enhances career progress, is well played on GC’s part. I’m no fan of adulterers but it’s not a good look to be dissing her career.

Leaving aside the specific situation being compared here, surely what people should be aiming for is a life they enjoy, and a good education and academic success is the route to achieving that.

I want my DC to work hard and achieve so that they have choices, not so they are forced into a high level job if it's not going to make them happy. I was a high achiever and most people would consider me to have a successful career. I could go further and have been asked to take on more senior roles. But it would be purely for ego, it wouldn't make my life any happier, so I decline.

I don’t see what this

My DD is in year 12. She is currently thinking about a History degree and her State school is (heavily) pushing her towards Oxbridge and a double honours. She is giving her best and her results are very good, so she probably will have the marks (although this is no guarantee). She chose a Maths A level and she is finding it hard - she reached an A but with a lot of sweating which in my mind is quite normal. She has decided not to do anything at Uni requiring further maths. Apparently, some of her classmates are amazing, especially those who want to apply for PPE at Oxford, which seems to be the achievement of all achievements. Those who get in are the best of the best, at least in my DD mind.

has to do with this

Gina Colandangelo gained an Oxford PPE which means she must have been bloody talented. The only thing she will ever be remembered for was snugging the Health Minister in his office.
What a waste. Why? AIBU in thinking that there is still a cohort of women who work bloody hard to get into the most difficult jobs and then just sit on their achievements? And why do they do this?

because the two things don’t seem to be related at all.

I didn't read PPE at Oxford. I read English at another RG university but I did it because I enjoyed it. I loved the subject, I appreciated being exposed to theories and novels I never would otherwise have picked up. I didn't do it for my career. I studied for the sake of study and had I chosen to never work afterwards I wouldn't have considered it a waste of time.

You're confusing ability with privilege. Both Colandangelo and Hancock have achieved their positions in life through privilege, not through ability. While Oxbridge is becoming more diverse, nothing can replace the advantages of coming from a family and wealth and connections.

Anyone can have low self-esteem, even those who went to Oxford University. Don't let one example put your DD off seeking to do her best.