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?

Possibly, I should have stated that the number of people that take these degrees and job avialaibity is lacking and or not seen as useful to many in the real world of work, on the whole

To be a doctor, lawyer, physio, lawyer, occp therapists, nurses, radioigist, and many others need a degree but most of what I posted in my OP, IMO no real need for a degree

Feel free to disagree but over but just look at the voting here, I'm not alone

I have a Fine Art degree and a Masters in Sculpting. I work in film (Disney/Warner Bros, Marvel) I think I've done ok with my BS degrees....plus I love what I do, so it doesn't even feel like a job.

Go back to your boring ass life...

I always think people who cannot see the value of education for educations sake, are fundamentally lacking as individuals.

I believe you're retired now @DistinguishedSocialCommentator (from your numerous other recent posts and threads)
What field did you work in? Did you study post 16?

My degree was in a science
Friends who did fashion got better well paid jobs than I did.

It’s not just about the subject either.

This sounds amazing!
Did you get into
it straight from masters?

Did you know Porsche make around 37K profit on every car they sell? They are a design lead company. Same as Apple. Don’t be so naive about art and design degrees they literally drive innovation & industry.

Fashion degree is a BS degree?
You do know fashion is a huge industry for this country?
Ditto things like games design (yes I know many of the jobs are mathsy, but many are also design/art based).
What a narrow view you have, OP.

Well you and your family aren't very bright then, are you?!

You can't see what kind of jobs a fashion or business graduate might get?!

@SemperIdem
While I think OP is being deliberately goady, and agree that degrees have value outside just 'getting a job'. I do think we need to reconsider our model of higher education.
A degree and '3 years at uni' aren't the same thing. Yet, many people see them as such. It's not just the tuition fee the cost of accommodation etc is eye-watering and increasing every year.

Many parents especially with multiple children in university are having to think very carefully about the finances.

Other countries have other systems, such as 'top-up' degrees, allowing transfers after doing some modules at a local institutions, etc. Quite a few fields have opportunities concentrated in London and more opportunities for those who study there but it's unaffordable.. there's another thread running on this at the moment.
These things are available in the UK, including non-degree equivalent qualifications (NVQ Level 6 and above), but just not seen as viable options. Why?

Wow, you and your family are fucking rude. My bullshit arts degree and my successful arts career say kiss my Mickey Mouse ass.
I'm assuming none of you wear clothes, or watch TV or film, or listen to music, or use anything with packaging, or buy art, or read books as the arts and those who create are such a waste of time.

@asdasdasdsadad

I agree that the “everybody goes to university” model brought forth by Blair’s government was unhelpful and the effects are still being felt to this day.

The fact of the matter is, regardless of degree choice, those attending university should be very bright and academically capable.

Apprenticeships have evolved enormously in the last 20 years, there are a number traditional vocational degrees which will be undercut by them in years to come, for those for whom education is a means to an end, rather than something of value in its own right.

Interesting post. I watched the recent program on BBC uni is it worth it ? and he had the same conclusion that very expensive for non-vocational degrees and not all degrees have value so he presenter concluded

Arts? All of them? So everything except stem is BS?
What utter rubbish.

people go to uni to study what they love and have a passion in, or they wouldn’t go.

I have two degrees (one was philosophy with psychology so arguably not much in that but did it because i loved it) - its not just about the degree its what that level of study offers, critical analysis and thinking which are highly sought after traits.

second degree in criminal justice through work and did lead to a higher paying position BUT they dont accept people without any degree, so someone who did a fine arts degree would be accepted to the programme due to demonstrating being able to study at a level 6 academically in any field (one colleague’s degree was textiles)

planning on doing a masters in philosophy not because i want to be a philosopher but I just love learning.

also, i know people with phds, law graduates etc still finding it hard for work in retail or regret their choice and regret and hate that initial “this is a good standing degree my family always said to do it”. Also a family member half way into a medical degree who dropped out because they hated it, and now make 80k a year instead as a personal trainer.

if someone is young and motivated about a subject they should go for it. Personal opinion is 18 is so young for big commitments and pressure from parents and school, im a big fan of kids taking a year to work or volunteer (if they have the financial support) to have a longer think. Loads of options to study later in life too. I also think trades and apprenticeships aren't valued enough and are unjustifiably looked down on.

any education is positive, these “micky mouse” degrees may have a module they really fall in love with and pursue that niche.

some people want to go to uni for the experience and expand on topics they are passionate about but might not want to work in their field of study.

ALSO with tuition fees so high who cares what others want to do.

Yeah, stupid Arts and stupid Fashion, who needs those multi-billion pound industries?!

It is so much fun! I actually started working in film about 4 years before I did my masters. I did it out of interest and because I had the time to. Being honest, I've never been asked what degree I have. It's more experience based....which I wouldn't have gotten without the skillset that I have learnt on my degrees. That being said, I do say that I have a Masters (when I can) because I did it a specific well-known place in the film industry. It's like a bragging right 🤣

We're putting our third through uni currently and we would have made any necessary sacrifices to do that. Eldest with her slated Arts degree is already established in a professional career. Second, the Fashion one, is undertaking a Masters in a prestigious European uni. Third's ambition is to make money!!

Second one wanted to go to CSM, as so many fashion houses eg Alexander McQueen, recruit mainly graduates from there, but London was just too expensive.

I would like to see more apprenticeships leading to degrees, but I think there is a huge value in the whole uni experience. Eldest had a year abroad, second had a year of placements with prestigious designers in London, and third will hopefully have a placement year next year. It's great that they get to have work experience as part of their degree.

Kiss my arth @DistinguishedSocialCommentator
What a dull world you want to live in

I have looked at the voting!!! 83% YABU!! The other 17% must be as ill-informed as you and your family (or are they your family!?)

Well sadly your second sentence is no longer true. There are so many degrees with watered down content. Very little work of any academic calibre. Marks for things like pop quizzes where the questions are very easy, straight from the textbook. And group work where people can free ride.
People can get into courses with C's and D's in clearing. Hardly 'academically capable'.

I disagree with the OP in that Fine Art or related isn't a useless degree. @Runnerinthenight placements etc are obviously indicative of a good degree. You are clearly choosing well, with an eye towards employability. I know people who did Animation and have their names in the credits for movies, video games. People like the OP would sniff at places like Ravensbourne, which is I believe the lowest ranked university in the UK but THE place for creative arts (media and broadcasting) degree. Very few big pieces are made in the UK without Ravensbourne alumni on set!

However. I agree with the basic premise, that not all degrees are worth it. I wouldn't make a sweeping generalisation on entire courses though. Even Computer Science which has a double digit unemployment rate. That is my field, some uni syllabuses are so outdated and not rigorous at all... their graduates have to start at the bottom again, e.g. with IT support roles. Little point to the degree. They might as well have stayed home, gotten it remotely via the OU and saved themselves the accommodation costs.

My daughter studies fashion and it's far from a bs degree. Tbh I'm incredibly proud that she's doing a degree. She's stayed home to minimise debt, was up this morning working on her project before I left for work and also has two jobs.
I think your post is rude and where so many young people get slated for being lazy there are others who are at least trying