AIBU to feel that some parents just want their children at Uni even if its a BS degree

[DistinguishedSocialCommentator]

Hello
I come from a background/culture where education is seen as very important and going to a university is a must (My parents came to England in 1962)

Yes, more and more jobs are seeking degrees and often even when not necessary. There are many professions where you must have a degree to join the course training

However, what I and my family call BS degrees, to name but a few

Arts
Studio Fine arts
Arth History
Business studies
Exercise Science
Fashion

I cant see what jobs they will get as there must be other routes, less intensive and extensive to get the job they want

When I've talked about mickey-mouse degrees at parties etc and not be aware that some parents children or they may have studied them, they start to defend the indefensible.
The biggest bS degree is 'Politics' - WTH!! Sadly, we know a few people whose children have done that and ended up running the family shop/business - total waste of a degree

There are other degrees just as crappy - they should be banned IMO

AIBU to think these degrees are a waste of time and often do not aid the person into a job in that field?

What do they do with the 'good solid STEM subject' once they've got it? There are only so many spaces available for research chemists/biologists etc. Vets are notoriously badly paid. I know a number of "good solid STEM subject" degree holders who have gone off into the city, which they could equally have done with one of your MM degrees. Or (steady, this is going to be shocking) some have become (whispers) actors and musicians. I personally know 5 people who are qualified doctors, surely the height of MN STEM achievement and total non-bullshittery in degree terms, who gave being a doctor up for acting. I know! How could they? I do hope your children do something like that though. It's the perfect double edged sword, isn't it? "Little Johnny is a real doctor with a real degree but is currently playing a hospital porter in Casualty...". A brave face is required then.

By the by - I didn't study a bullshit degree and my DC isn't doing "film studies or other such nonsense". Though equally he isn't doing STEM either so he's obviously first against the wall come your revolution. 😁

Do you keep tabs on what all your adult children earn, and tut at the poor failing dentist child?

I hope you put all the financial stats all in a round robin every Christmas, complete with bonuses, promotions etc.

If they went to uni to be a dentist, why are they now an 'orthadentist' (sic).

I am sure they will end up being paid very handsomely. Of course they will be paid less now if they are just starting out.

And dentistry, presumably, is not one of your BS degrees so not even relevant.

That's beautifully coherent OP.

Women in science are often quite badly treated by the patriarchal hierarchies. Obviously we need more women entering to end this situation but as it stands the lowest paid scientists tend to be women.

God I’d be depressed as fuck if you were my mother.

There’s a practical art link as well - the art of illustration!

Don't take my word for it. People do have varying opinions re what is a decent degree and what is a bS degree.
Uni's are wanting to make money and IMO they are not doing everyone favour especially if someone ends up in massive debt and a degree that does not really help them into a job they really wanted as those jobs are few and far between

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12304961/PM-vows-curb-rip-degrees-Universities-face-cap-students-poor-career-prospects.html

Are you the dentist ‘failure’ who is outearned by his/her siblings? Shame on you for not making more money. It’s almost as if you are an art history graduate.😀

So... I just looked up orthodontics and found this...

Orthodontics is the highest paid dentist job in the UK, with orthodontists earning an average annual salary of £115,000

Excellent example. Many thanks for sharing and wishing you all of the best.

😂

Anyone with the MN name @DistinguishedSocialCommentator is going to be difficult to take seriously imo.
Her dc are probably chuckling behind her back whilst subbing the poor dentist sibling!

My brother did business studies and earns a lot of money managing a business now. I'm sure he could have worked his way up but it would have taken a lot longer. So I don't think business studies is a Mickey Mouse degree.

You surely have met personal trainers? Well that's exercise science.

Ever been to see a play or a musical? Who do you think designs the sets? That's just one possibility from an art degree.

You're using a computer or mobile phone? Likely sold by a business...you get the idea here I suspect.

It's the same for the other degrees you posted. There are countless job opportunities from them, some more high paying than others, but almost certainly jobs, and plenty of them.

You don't really know what you are talking about do you.

Investment banks recruit from top universities due their graduate programmes.

They do not specify subject but there is usually a mix of economics, history, modern languages, PPE, English, sciences, accounting and finance, psychology. Basically the university is more important than the degree.

You're using the Daily Mail as a source of information 😂😂😂
Oh OP.....

Yes universities want to make money but they won't do that by offering degrees with poor graduate outcomes.
Have you any idea how validating a degree programme works? .... no need to answer. It's pretty obvious.

Thank you for sharing. You make many valid points.

I hate seeing people wasting money and possibly ending up with a big debt even before they get a job.

IMO, degrees that rarely get you a job or seen as useless degrees should have a cap as stated by our PM

It's no easy to get an apprenticeship. They are sometimes highly competitive with few placements available. University is another route in.

I did my undergrad in the 90’s, I was told then that we would be on of the final cohorts to go through not needing a masters for most professional careers. That must blow your mind OP!

I work in local government and most in my profession do indeed have masters qualifications. Many have more than one post grad (as I do).

I’m currently recruiting to a lower level role, of those who applied 80% had a degree of those 50% had masters degrees and there were 2 phd’s. Minimum requirement was a degree or equivalent experience.

I'm sure if you saw the title of my undergrad you’d term it BS - but that’s your ignorance, not mine.

Rishi Sunak studied PPE. Which is Politics, Philosophy & Economics. What was it you said about Politics, OP? Oh yes...

"The biggest bS degree is 'Politics' - WTH!! Sadly, we know a few people whose children have done that and ended up running the family shop/business - total waste of a degree"

Thank you for sharing and I'm pleased it worked out for your brother. However, I'm standing by my OP, plus Media Studies as more often than not a waste of time and money.

IMO, degrees that rarely get you a job or seen as useless degrees should have a cap as stated by our PM

Again, a reliable source would be appreciated.
That sensationalist headline does not tell the full story or take into account current HE policy.

And citing either the Prime Minister or the Daily Mail is almost asserting the equivalent of Godwin's Law, frankly.

And look where we are with hyper inflation

Have you seen food prices, energy prices? Have you seen the mortgage rates?

You definitely don't need a degree to become a good, honest and sincere politician and that is a fact

@DistinguishedSocialCommentator are you deliberately ignoring me?

Please stop making wild assumptions about degree outcomes when you've not engaged with the data.