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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think my degree is as good as anyone elses?

431 replies

SecretSlattern · 20/12/2009 20:29

I started off in 2004 doing a NVQ 3 in Early Years Care and Education, 3 months after having DD. I qualified 9 months later, with 2 level 3 qualifications and worked for a bit in day nurseries, pre-schools and after school clubs before studying a Foundation Degree in Early Years Childcare and Education.

At the start of the second year of my FD, I discovered I was pg with DS but continued on anyway and had him 2 weeks before the end of the course. I graduated from Uni in 2008, six weeks after having DS.

I finally went back to finish the last year of my BA (hons) in Early Childhood Studies. I now have 2 DCs, one of which is constantly in and out of hospital, and have now discovered I am pg with DC3. The timing is pretty shit, but there you go. DC3 is due in May, the same month that I am due to finish my degree (although will still have to write my dissertation, which I have done before so am confident I can do it again).

However, when telling a friend of mine what I was up to (hadn't spoken in a while), she sniffed, pulled a face and basically said it wouldn't matter if I didn't finish my degree because it isn't a proper degree anyway. "What can you do with a degree in kids?" was the question I was asked.

I actually intend to go on in the future and do a PGCE in primary, specialising in early years. AIBU to think that just because my degree is "in kids" it doesn't make it any less of a degree? I still go to uni, still have to do a mahoosive amount of work, same as any other undergrad.

OP posts:
yummyyummyyummy · 20/12/2009 20:32

YANBU.Who needs enemies with friends like that ?

peppapighastakenovermylife · 20/12/2009 20:32

YANBU (however as a lecturer in ECS I am perhaps a tad biased )

Seriously though, it was one of those degrees that used to be seen as a bit 'mickey mouse'. These days however it is thorough, high standard, well read etc. Our students do a lot of work, dissertation etc. Many of them are extremely bright and articulate. They have a lot of in depth knowledge and it is the perfect degree to go on and do a PGCE. Lots of our students do.We have hundreds of applications.

On another note, we have had a number of students have a baby during the degree and have gone on to do really well.

AMerryScot · 20/12/2009 20:32

Do you really think that all degrees are equal? Surely you can't believe that a ECS degree is on par with Medicine or Engineering?

It doesn't mean that your friend should criticise it though. It sounds like you have been through the wringer to get where you are.

displayuntiltwelfthnight · 20/12/2009 20:33

yanbu.
Ignore your friend and her snooty attitude

jeep · 20/12/2009 20:33

well done! i think people who don't work with children have no idea about how it's finally being seen as an important job!

(if only wages would reflect that)

jeep · 20/12/2009 20:34

it would also help if 'childcare experts' could agree with one theory or another

dinoroar · 20/12/2009 20:34

She's no friend!

I'm impressed - I have 2 DCs and it is as much as I can do to look after them!

GrimmaTheNome · 20/12/2009 20:34

"What can you do with a degree in kids?" - er, work with kids which is what you want to do.

I mean, I've got a PhD in crystallography and that'd be about as much use as a chocolate teapot for teaching early years.

Ronaldinhio · 20/12/2009 20:34

what does it matter?
she sounds like a hag on hooves...tell her to get fucked and batter her with your degree certificate

Original poster
SecretSlattern · 20/12/2009 20:37

AMerryScot - I do actually think all degrees are equal in the amount of work that goes in to them but obviously they are different depending on the area you are in. I wouldn't expect someone with a degree in engineering or medicine to have the knowledge, skills and understanding that I have (and will continue to build upon whilst studying) in my area, any more than a doctor or engineer would expect me to know their stuff.

OP posts:
Original poster
SecretSlattern · 20/12/2009 20:39

I don't suppose it does matter in the grand scheme of things, but I feel a bit put out that someone can seemingly belittle the effort that has gone into it. I don't see why my degree in my specialist area should not be as recognised as others in other areas.

OP posts:
bibbitybobbitysantahat · 20/12/2009 20:40

Erm, well, no, I don't think your degree is as "good" as, say, a Double First in PPE from Oxford. But it sounds like you have worked incredibly hard through difficult times to get it, so you deserve tons of praise and credit from your friend. Which you sadly didn't get.

peppapighastakenovermylife · 20/12/2009 20:40

Our degree is perfect for working with children (would worry if it wasnt ). By the end our students understand so many competing theories and different perspectives of childhood and can apply these to the real life settings they encounter. They understand things like childrens rights, inclusion, difficulties children might face. All a fab basis for working with children

AMerryScot · 20/12/2009 20:40

What are the A-level entrance requirements for ECS? I doubt 3 As in top academic subjects.

wonderingwondering · 20/12/2009 20:40

That is very rude.

I do subscribe to the view that degrees are not all the same, not all equal. But neither are the jobs you go on to do, after completing your degree. It is what you want to do, fits your chosen career, and good on you for sticking with it. I really admire anyone who can manage to study with other responsibilities, work or family.

There's a lot of academic snobbery around, you just have to focus on what you want to do and how to get there.

displayuntiltwelfthnight · 20/12/2009 20:40

it's true that the entrance expectations for different degrees can vary, for example the number of As at A'level etc but if the end result is called a degree then the subject shouldn't be cause for mirth nor snide remarks about it not even being worth completing - especially not from someone who is supposed to be a friend!

humptynumpty · 20/12/2009 20:41

secretslattern, don't listen to them. What about degrees in horses, art etc... you can't say one is worth more than another. It sounds like you have worked really hard, be proud of yourself and tell her to sod off.

MavisEnderby · 20/12/2009 20:41

What a horrid "friend".

She is probably jealous.

Congratulations on your degree,by the way

IME Early years care is sadly undervalued and underpaid.It needs recognition at a degree level.

I did my nursing degree starting 2001 and lots of people were sniffy and "Why do you need a degree to be a nurse?"(So four years training and a 30,000 word diss means nowt,then??)

Recently it has been announced it will now be an all degree profession.

Hopefully in 15 years time you will be feeling happy and vindicated when early years care becomes a degree required course.

Well done on doing it all with having your own children too,I did my degree pre dcs and couldn't have done it with dcs in tow,I am too knackered!

bonkerz · 20/12/2009 20:46

I am currently doing a BA hons in Early years and will do the new Early Years Professional after that. I already have a level 3 qualification in childcare and my BAhons will actually make no difference to the pay i recieve in my current job BUT will mean i can offer the children in my care a higher standard of care.
YANBU to think your degree is as good as anyone elses, but you are doing the degree because you love children and want to offer them the best you possibly can...........who cares what others think!

lowenergylightbulb · 20/12/2009 20:46

Would an engineer or someone with a double first from Oxford be able to work with little kids and satisfy all the standards demanded by 'the man'? (which IMHO is one of the hardest tasks ever!!).... I think not.

You should be proud of yourself and YANBU, I detest intellectual snobbery.

Original poster
SecretSlattern · 20/12/2009 20:47

I didn't actually take A levels - my 2 level 3 qualifications, in the area of early years was actually enough of a pre-requisite to get onto to do my FD as they are (or were at the time) recognised A level equivalents).

Not sure what the rudeness is in aid of. I don't remember being snippy with anyone else.

OP posts:
AMerryScot · 20/12/2009 20:48

I have an engineering degree and have successfully tumbled brought up my children. I also work with children nowadays.

God help us all if we need to have a child studies degree in order to procreate.

wonderingwondering · 20/12/2009 20:48

Do you mean me SS? When I said rude, I meant your friend's comments

RockinSockBunnies · 20/12/2009 20:48

Well....I would disagree with your opinion that "all degrees are equal in the amount of work that goes in to them". Obviously I don't know what your schedule was, but my undergraduate degree in history at Oxford involved 12 essays per eight week term, with each essay being between two and four thousand words. Plus lectures, tutorials, dissertation and extended essay. Which was a pretty big workload, but nowhere as near as much as the medics who had insane levels or work they had to do.

But congratulations on your hard work and the fact that you're doing something that you really want to do .

Wineonafridaynight · 20/12/2009 20:49

YANBU in the slightest. Your friend sounds like a cow! Congratulations on your pregnancy!