To ask what you would think about someone that had masters degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge?

[Zorbing]

That's the question!

Its not me, obvs. But I am wondering what assumptions, if any, you might make about someone like this (justified or otherwise).

Would you think they were highly intelligent / had a strong work ethic? Or just lucky and privileged?

Would you think that they're probably a bit of a dickhead?

Its a woman incidentally, not sure if that makes a difference.

This is what's so great about MN!

Between this thread, the one about taking fizzy drinks for your own consumption to dinner elsewhere, and pretty much any S&B thread, a Martian could gain an outstandingly clear picture of the intellectual and social divisions in 21st century Britain.

I'd think that she's really unfortunate to be working with someone/a group of people like you, frankly.

I'd assume they were academic/nerdy, intelligent, hardworking and ambitious, but I wouldn't make any assumptions on their background, (I'd also wonder if they had an eidetic memory).

@BanningTheWordNaice

And shit like this is why at my company a cv is presented without the university. It sounds like your team have all already made judgements about her based on her education rather than her actual experience.

Totally agree.

@MayIDestroyYou

This is what's so great about MN!

Between this thread, the one about taking fizzy drinks for your own consumption to dinner elsewhere, and pretty much any S&B thread, a Martian could gain an outstandingly clear picture of the intellectual and social divisions in 21st century Britain.

As a foreigner, that has been my first reason to join MN!

@JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn

I'd probably think they were a bit work shy - and probably from a wealthy family as most people need to get out and start earning ASAP.

How do you know they weren't working while studying?

@SeeYouInFive

Depends on the subjects. If they’ve got two Oxbridge MAs in media studies and geography then I’d wonder what they were wasting their time for.

If they’ve got two MAs in highly relevant fields to the job they’re applying for, then I’d consider them a very strong candidate.

I doubt you could get an Oxbridge MA in Media Studied 😂 And as for one in Geography, why is that a waste of time. Methinks you have no idea what you are talking about!

In a work context, I'd be careful not to take them at their word!

I've worked with various highly-educated people, and there's a vast difference in their abilities. Those who haven't continued to refresh their PD and make reference to things they learned at Oxbridge decades ago are generally less capable than those who've continued learning/progressing.

I'd probably initially think that they just liked study and avoiding work.

But it depends on the job and the masters subjects. Some would need masters and they could both be relevant. Or they could be older and done them over the years for interest.

I may do a masters in September(in law). They are quite narrow focus so in theory I could do 2, on different things within the main law umbrella.

But if I was aiming for a law job I'd feel I should only do one else it shows lack of focus on what I want to do. Luckily I am just doing it for interest.

As for not working but studying, I'd assume they'll end up in a high paying position one day, and the years as a struggling student will pay off?

They could also be privileged enough to have family support them while studying, and will never need to work, and can pursue whatever they want in life with no worries. In which case I'd think they were extremely lucky, but at least not out partying and wasting their opportunities, and are doing something meaningful with their privilege/luck.

Hello everyone - thanks for the reports. We're taking this down now as there's a fair bit of sockpuppeting going on.

Is there absolutely no understanding that the knowledge and discoveries made through study and research are exactly what generates work for the entire population?

Seriously?

Oh MNHQ - it was such a fascinating discussion. Must you take it down?

Perpetual student probably but I'd think that whatever university they did them at.

Being Oxbridge and not thinking too hard about it or knowing the person, my prejudices would probably think they were clever and possibly wealthy.

Has she done any actual real life work? My worry would be no experience in the real world which is sometimes more valuable than academic success.

I think 2 masters would actually make me doubt their work ethic. Why do a second one? Why are they not out getting a job?

First of all - It’s very unprofessional to be discussing candidates like this.

Having said that - as an employer, someone with 2 graduate degrees only stands out if the degrees are complementary. Otherwise I’d look at the relevant degree and consider the other a hobby.

Personally - I’d consider them clever if either degree was in a STEM subject. Otherwise - privileged and perhaps somewhat out of touch with the real world. Also depends on whether they did it part time or not

@RestingStitchFace

I think 2 masters would actually make me doubt their work ethic. Why do a second one? Why are they not out getting a job?

Maybe the did have a job and the qualifications were related to that job🤷🏼‍♀️

....there's a strong undercurrent of suspicion and anti-academic dismissiveness in many of the replies here. The idea that this person 'doesn't understand the real world' and 'likes being a student too much' and 'must be wealthy or come from money'.

All we know about this woman is that she has some pretty impressive qualifications. We don't even know what her area of expertise is.

So we're just making stuff up, based on whatever prejudices we have about academia. Even for MN, that's a pretty speculative stretch.

And I say this, incidentally, as a redbrick university drop-out who never really made the effort....

Also to add - I sont have anything against the humanities (my undergrad was part humanities) - just that you don’t have to be particularly ‘cleverer’ to do a postgrad in humanities in Oxbridge compared to elsewhere. Any postgrad would be the same.
While for STEM the difference is obvious - Oxbridge really push the boundaries of the subject. Even an ‘advanced MSC computer science’ from Oxbridge is much much more deep and theoretical than similar from elsewhere. Same for their mathematical finance /economics related courses.

@Zorbing

That's the question!

Its not me, obvs. But I am wondering what assumptions, if any, you might make about someone like this (justified or otherwise).

Would you think they were highly intelligent / had a strong work ethic? Or just lucky and privileged?

Would you think that they're probably a bit of a dickhead?

Its a woman incidentally, not sure if that makes a difference.

Did you not ask about their 2 masters at the interview to decide whether you're correct in your assumptions?

I find the "probably a dickhead" comment very strange and feel.sorry for her if she has to work with judgemental people like you.

there's a strong undercurrent of suspicion and anti-academic dismissiveness in many of the replies here. The idea that this person 'doesn't understand the real world' and 'likes being a student too much' and 'must be wealthy or come from money'.
It's so depressing to read. As someone with multiple postgraduate qualifications it saddens me to think I could be judged in the same way.

I've gained most of my qualifications while working full time ( including my PhD) which I think demonstrates a very strong work ethic. I'm from a very poor background and have had most of my quals paid for either by my employer or through scholarships.

The anti-academic narrative in this country is really depressing.

If I were the person in question and saw this thread I would report you for lack of professionalism and most certainly wouldn’t wish to work for someone who had to seek opinions about my value and personality from mumsnet. Not many people with two Masters from Oxbridge will have recently applied for a job, I am sure. I don’t think it’s common to hold two masters.

@WalkingOnTheCracks

....there's a strong undercurrent of suspicion and anti-academic dismissiveness in many of the replies here. The idea that this person 'doesn't understand the real world' and 'likes being a student too much' and 'must be wealthy or come from money'.

All we know about this woman is that she has some pretty impressive qualifications. We don't even know what her area of expertise is.

So we're just making stuff up, based on whatever prejudices we have about academia. Even for MN, that's a pretty speculative stretch.

And I say this, incidentally, as a redbrick university drop-out who never really made the effort....

Not really impressive though are they? The general reaction to someone with that name is to immediately assume that they’re clever. I have encountered similar as my undergrad was from LSE (Oxbridge didn’t do my subject so we’re essentially the top).

However postgraduate (unless it’s fully funded) is not only much easier to get into but also much more expensive. So without any other information if told just that people wouldn’t have the same assumptions they’d have about an undergraduate.I wouldn’t consider them clever

I’d think they were very intelligent. I might wonder how they afforded it, but wouldn’t assume they were from money: because they may have been sponsored by their workplace

@TheDevils yip, you are exactly the type of person I’m imagining with multiple post grad qualifications