People older than 25, if you could choose would you...

[SomewhatMental]

Do a degree or just go for any job you can find to stay afloat

Do a degree if it was financially viable... otherwise you are stuck with the latter option.

Degree with a guaranteed job at the end.
Assuming I have no other responsibilities

Can you stay afloat to do a degree?

It really depends on your circs, so more info needed here (e.g. how financially secure are you and do you have DC?)

That depends on so many things!

Right now, I'd rather work. I don't want to be broke for four years because I'm so much older than 25 that at this point in my life I would only do a degree for pleasure, like if I could retire early (which I can't).

A degree.

I earn considerably more than my friends who do not have degrees.

My husband did not have a degree and when he reached his mide 30s couldn't go any further in his career without one and had to do one through the Open University. He really regretted not doing a degree when he was younger.

Plus university is a great experience and studying for a degree is an enriching experience.

I like studying, I'd do a degree. It has increased the range of jobs I have been able to apply for.

Any job! Wouldn't fancy starting a graduate job in my 30s after the degree

I worked while studying with OU best of both, and bought a house while loads of my mates were still in uni.

Degree! I did OU and graduated at 28, worth every second and penny.

I just worked when I was 25. Did fine, got promoted and earned good money. When I was 50 I went to uni and got an MSc. I loved it and am very glad did it but it cost a fortune and I've never earned money from it.

I’d do a degree apprenticeship- best of both worlds

Depends on the degree! Medicine? Yes. Language and Politics*? No.

• I studied this. I had a blast! Got to live abroad etc. It was fantastic. But it really hasn't helped me get a job and I went to a really good uni. When I did it, it was something like a thousand pounds per year in fees. I wouldn't do it now it's more like £9k! I love my job and I loved the university experience I had, but I don't think I'd do it now and especially not if I was doing it as a mature student.

Degree -all about the long game.

I had children by the time I was 25, so I’d have taken the job.

If I hadn’t had children, I’d have done the degree.

I'm 31 and don't have a degree. If I had my time again.. I wouldn't have a degree.

Me personally. Absolutely do a degree. I'm an academic and I love my job.

It isn't necessarily the best choice for everyone.

But "just go for any job you can find to stay afloat" doesn't sound great. I think you need to give us a rather more information about your circumstances, interests, skills etc.

I'd do a degree and work at weekends to supplement my student finance

A degree. You'll probably pay for it in the long run if you don't, by not being able to get a well paid job. Speaking from bitter experience here!

I qualified as a solicitor as a mature student when my oldest was 2 and a half. Degree every time. If people haven't then used their degree to go into graduate style jobs that is usually down to them.

Depends what subject it is in. If its necessary to get you into a profession I would do it. If not and there are other routes, I would consider other options.

A vocational degree- if going in to debt, has to be worth it for a guaranteed job at the end!

I need mental stimulation & lifelong learning -- I can work drudge jobs but glad I am qualified to do more interesting work.

Do both, I did uni at 26 and worked 25 hours a week on top

Depends on circumstances. I’d do a job to stay afloat. Then look on jobs boards at the types of things I’d like as my long term career. I would target my training towards that - find out if a degree is necessary, and if not then what qualifications are helpful. If a degree is important, then which unis are good for it. I would try entry level jobs in the industry and see if they would be willing to fund Open University or other industry qualifications.

I would not pick a degree I was just interested in - it would have to increase my probability of progressing in my chosen career path.