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.

No, I’m not ashamed. I don’t have to justify myself to anyone. It’s nearly 30 years since I graduated, many things happened during that time that led to where I am. But it doesn’t matter, although a pay rise would be nice I’m content.
It rarely comes up and I wouldn’t put up with anyone being funny about it, other’s opinions are irrelevant to me.

I hit a masters degree then went back to the exact same job I had before. I thought it was a waste of time but it never came up so…

I had to take on a cleaning job the last time I was made redundant while waiting for something in my field. With my full CV, I wasn’t getting any responses, so I removed my MA and second BA and my 12 years of experience in my industry. Once I applied with just my first degree and a few years of cleaning experience, things started to move - I seemed to hit the sweet spot.

So to answer your question, I probably wouldn’t mention all of my degrees.

I am early 50s. I have 2.1 degree.

I have had jobs in insurance admin and civil service. I entered the civil service as an admin grade and worked up.

I am not ashamed to say I have a degree. I work with others at similar grades some of which also have degrees, many of which that don't. I couldn't tell you who did and who didn't.

In the past one of my more senior colleagues was surprised to find out that some of the team of admin staff had degrees. I openly said that I was one of them. I know at least one other in the team of about 6 also had a degree.

Has the degree helped me career wise - probably not. Do I regret doing the degree and the career path I have taken - no. I didn't like the insurance role, but that was due to who I worked with rather than the job itself - I moved on after 2 years, because the job wasn't for me. I enjoy my current role - I could apply to be a higher grade, and get more money, but have chosen not to do so.

Would I do the same if I was now 18 - probably not. I did a degree in business admin - if I was to repeat things I would probably choose a more creative subject.

With the current cost of degrees I wouldn't push a child into studying for one, just because it is the next thing to do. If they want a job that requies a degree then yes, that is the way forward. If not then I would look at apprenticeships, getting a job that xan provide training etc.

I think you need to work on your self-esteem, OP.
You shouldn't feel embarrassed about this, after a thoughtless throwaway comment.

I had the mickey taken out of me (good naturedly) by a colleague for having 2 degrees (I changed between 2 careers both of which required a degree for professional registration). I declined to mention the other 2 masters degrees that I have.. 4 (3 masters and a bachelors) just seemed greedy.
If it comes up in conversation I'm happy to say where I studied but generally, other than being essential for registration, they're not a big deal.

Looking back, I wish I did criminology as a degree.

I suppose quite a lot of this hinges on how you see university. If you purely see it as ‘get a degree as an investment so you can command a higher salary in a field that requires a degree’, then I guess being in a regular job that doesn’t require a degree would maybe feel like a failure to some extent. But only if you look at it through that lens.

I’m late 40s and in the era of a free university education, being educated to degree level was seen as a desirable goal in and of itself. Stretching your brain and studying a subject intensely used to be perceived as a generally Good Thing. And if that’s someone goal, then nothing that happens subsequently detracts from that.

Be proud of your learning, OP! Not everyone has the same priorities and what matters most is what YOU think of yourself. Remember people often make negative comments when they feel threatened and are trying to make themselves feel more secure.