Would you be ashamed to tell people you have a degree if you are 45 or older and have an ordinary job?

[user1471554720]

I know that lots of people do further study and it is good for your mind etc. They don't specifically get a degree just to get a good job but some of them may hope it would improve employment prospects.

However if you are mid forties or older and have an ordinary factory or office job, would you keep quiet about your degree? I know that people who don't have a degree are often proud of the fact that they don't have a degree and are working alongside people who do have a degree. Some of them have the attitude that a degree is no advantage if a person with a degree is in an ordinary job, earning the same as someone without a degree.

I have a degree, got made redundant from my job. I then had to take a general office job as jobs were scarce. I would put the degree on my application for promotions but I would not broadcast the fact I had a degree to colleagues. I mentioned it to one and she said 'what are you doing here?" . I was embarrassed to say that jibs were scarce in my locality and I couldn't stay without a job while I waited for a special job.

im not embarrassed. Work on the civil service . Most of my colleagues don’t have degrees. I’m a good worker and this job has suited my needs. I’m not embarrassed of any of my achievements or my job .

Ashamed? Why mention it anyway.

I have a degree and then chose to work as a care assistant because I really like helping elderly people. Why would I be embarrassed by spending three years studying a subject I love (Sociology) and then doing I job I enjoyed and was good at?

Not embarrassing to have a degree in any job.

When someone asks you any rude question about your job, just say 'This works for me just now.' You don't owe anyone at work an explanation about your legitimate choices.

It sounds like you have been through a tough time with your redundancy. In your position, particularly in the current job market, I would be proud of myself for managing to get a job and keeping working. It really isn't easy out there.

Whatever your level of education, never be ashamed of it, and always look for the opportunity to educate yourself further.

After my MSc and when I was waiting to start my PHd I worked in a warehouse. Having a degree (or two) rarely came up in conversation. I ended up not doing the PHd.

I’m 45 with a uni degree. I only had one job where required uni degree. Rest haven’t. I just applied to jobs which match my experience and skills.

Work in the civil service and some have degrees, some haven’t

I hate the way some people (especially those without degrees) think you can automatically get a great job just because you have a degree. I hate the way they question 'why get a degree if you are not getting a high flying career out of it'.

There is huge competition for all jobs, especially in rural areas. Often you would have to move miles away for relevant work, do further study on top of the degree in order to get a high flying job.

I have a degree and a post grad qualification and I work in the fitness industry, teaching classes. I also do Home Help for Age UK. I love both jobs. If someone asked me if I’ve got a degree or if it came up in conversation, I would talk about it, but it’s not something I would randomly announce to people.

The thing is 40% or whatever it is go to university but 40% of jobs aren’t what was traditionally thought of as a graduate job so there many graduates doing more regular jobs.

I don’t really recognise what you’re setting out here. Many ‘ordinary’ jobs either require or prefer a degree - many ‘admin’ jobs these days, because they aren’t about secretarial services any more, need advanced knowledge of the field in which they sit, and so on. Where I work, in a public body in a niche sector, even the lowest grade admin people all have relevant degrees. None of us will ever be rich, but we all do fine financially. And equally, there are lots of very highly skilled, highly paid posts for which experience and industry knowledge are needed, but not a degree. DB heads up IT architecture for enormous companies earning six figures, but only has A levels from his pre-industry eduction. He has undertaken loads of CPD and kept up with and been ahead of changes in his industry, but never needed a degree. So there’s no ‘right’ way to be educated for any particular role. Having a degree is never a waste, even if you don’t use the specialist knowledge you gained during study - the general skills it taught you are just as valuable for work.

No. I'm 44, have a degree in Archaeology and Ancient Greek History. I work as a cook.

I hated archaeology. I love cooking. If I had my time again I wouldn't go to uni, but I'm not ashamed of my job or the fact that I don't use my degree.

1. People talk shit about things all the time. A lot of people have very poor conversational skills.

1. A lot of weird people get obsessed with "questioning" other people's life decisions and making them feel small so they can feel dominant.

This happens at ALL levels of life and job hierarchy...

Do what works best for you and your peace, finances and life plans. Many people have very non-linear careers. Its not even a "thing".

It sounds like you're making the right decision for yourself in terms of location and mindset. I guess if you don't enjoy the daily work there then you should explore other options? If its fine apart from Nosy Parker woman then just chill.

I think you're suffering from a terrible case of inverted snobbery.

If you were a nice colleague with a decent work ethic, I couldn't give a flying fuck if you were Einstein.

I mention it if it comes up, usually indirectly if I say such and such was 'the year after I graduated' or similar. I'm in my 50s so it doesn't really come up very often. My degree subject has no relevance to my very ordinary job.

many ‘admin’ jobs these days, because they aren’t about secretarial services any more, need advanced knowledge of the field in which they sit, and so on

Yep. I have no managerial responsibility, work 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, don't take any work home with me. Nothing expected outside of my job spec, etc., but I know my stuff

My highest qualification is 2 NVQ Level 3's, which I got doing a YTS 40 years ago.

I'm on £40k, living in the NW, so a relatives good wage.

*30 years ago, not 40!!! Not quite that old lol.

ColinOfficeTrolley

This is the attitude the colleagues have. They have no degree and earn as much as anyone.

I know that schools encourage people to do a degree without thinking about moving far away for relevant experience, further study etc.

I find it insulting when my choices are belittled and questioned. I feel like not saying anything and if it slips out, I feel like telling people I dropped out of college.

I wouldn’t be embarrassed. After 45, the topic rarely comes up. I earned my degrees and am proud of them. I wouldn’t say anything about them unless someone asked me. But they never do. Because they don’t care. I don’t ask people about their degrees either. I’m far more interested in their talents, their worldview, the causes they believe in, how they spend their leisure time, and so forth. I have a job, but I am not simply my job title. OP, you are so much more than just what you do for a salary.

I've never really used my degree. Not embarrassed to say I have one though. I'm late fifties and just quite proud that I've always worked, not necessarily in high paying jobs but I've been employed constantly for forty years and hopefully a good few more.

I don’t understand…I have a normal “office job” but it requires a degree. Many others in my office have PHD’s…

I have a degree in public health and have been a registered nurse and midwife. I now work as a social prescriber in a GP surgery, I’m surrounded by those with degrees and those who don’t. It rarely comes up in conversation.

From a different perspective, I’ve felt embarrassed at my lack of degree in the past. I’ve felt I need to work extra hard to prove I am as capable as those who have a degree.

i didn’t go to university because my parents wouldn’t allow me. It made me ashamed for a long time, and I felt envious of those with a uni education. but now I feel as though I’ve earned my way.

I’m quite staggered that anyone would want hide that they have a degree. You should be proud of it. And I wouldn’t give a toss about what you’re doing to earn a living now. I firmly believe that people should do what they enjoy if at all possible.

No, as people older than me (46) often didn’t have to take out insane student loans for tuition fees and I know loads of people who went to university just because it was the expected thing to do. we were the year that grants went out and loans came in.

it would seem a bit more strange to me for someone to have paid a fortune for university and not then progress in a career relating to it.

either way, people should be proud of the achievement, whether they use it or not.