Tell me all about your successful non-RG graduate DC

[Fadingmemory]

University hierarchies abound. Oxbridge followed by the other RG universities (and there are further hierarchies within the RG)

DD achieved well at school, did not get her first choice, but her second. She has undergone a huge transformation from a totally self-centred teenager to a disciplined, hard working and hard playing young woman.

Surely, grads other than those from RGs have successful careers so please tell me about them. Sometimes when I read some threads on MN (though not all) I feel that there will be little opportunity for her.

Not specifying DD's university or the degree as I do not want either picked on as sub-standard.

[mamadoc]

DH has his own business in a popular, niche field and when he occasionally advertises a graduate vacancy he is swamped with hundreds of applicants.

When shortlisting he has a preference for those with degrees from Brunel, Loughborough and Bournemouth as those are acknowledged in his field to be the best courses. None of those are Russell Group and although the course is run at some Russell group Unis it is not so well regarded as these ones.

I give this as an example that it is the course not the institution that matters these days.
People who mistakenly chose to do this course at a 'better' university would be making themselves less competitive in the field.

[overthemill]

Russell group is a 'club' originally intended ( so they say) to ensure high standards in teaching and research. Not everybody could join the club or it would be pointless. oXbridge is also a club. In my day ( I went to study in mid 1970s) it was Oxbridge, then Bristol, Durham and the like with 'new ' universities underneath. And then the Polys. I went to a Poly and got an OK degree . If your doc works hard enough to get a good degree they will be fine. No one asks about my degree anymore

[RhodaBull]

A recent experience is dd of friends: took 3 A Levels that made me gulp a bit (Drama, Law and Biology), did a law degree at an ex-poly and... now, according to MN, she would be working in a call centre or at the very best as a barrista, but... no, she got a traineeship at a magic circle firm. Ha!

[Verritie0]

Well I have 2 dd one went to non RG has graduated this year and is in retail management not her intended career but it's the best option at the moment, she has been to many interviews so not going to RG hasn't been a problem getting her to that point. DD 2 wanted to go to a non RG that is fairly high ranking, however she didn't get the grades and ended up in a RG uni that was her insurance. In time I will be able to see which has had the easier ride career wise. But in terms of comparison between dd1 and dd2 the RG uni is definately more rigourous in terms of depth of work and expectations. But then they are both different entry requirements the non RG dd attended was UCAS points based a lot lower than dd2 which was A level grades.
The point is if dd2 went to dd1 uni I actually don't think she will feel stretched. dd1 mentioned (non RG) that she did feel work was dumbed down a bit to suit the cohort who were C/D grades at A level. I would say go to the uni with entry requirement that is suited to his A level grades regardless wether it's RG or Non RG if im making some sense. Get as much work experience or internships whilst at uni as this just as important than the degree itself.

[Runwayqueen]

I studied at an ex-poly. At the time it was the best university for the degree subject I chose. Had a fabulous time and walked straight into my chosen career. I'm one of the lowest paid people doing my job, (I'm pt post dc and also in a regional location), but I'm probably one of the youngest and one of a few females doing it

[Headofthehive55]

It's good that you are trying not to transmit that anxiety. I think there is too much emphasis on getting into RG unis. My DD was the same, felt she had failed cos she got her second choice which wasn't a RG. She worried I'd think less of her cos I'd been to a RG ( two actually) .

The worst came at a house party when her school friends all were playing top trumps with their unis. She left early, and hasn't bothered with them since.

Mind you she's the only one from this bunch with the paid summer placement relevant to her future career, and the promise of an interview for a permanent job nearer the end of her course.

[Grazia1984]

My son's university (Reading) is not as good as his RG sisters' universities. They are London solicitors and he is a postman. However that is his choice. He could pick something "better" (whatever better means) if he wanted so I am not saying this is a scientific correlation.

[Moominmammacat]

Dh and I both Oxbridge management consultants. Much of our work comes from Stafford/Hallam/Bournemouth business and media graduates. They tell us what to do and pay us.

[Fadingmemory]

Thank you for your replies. Yes, just an anxious parent who does not want to transmit that anxiety to her DD. Hope all your DC make their way in the world with happiness and satisfaction. It's up to her now.

[Grazia1984]

He's a postman.

[DanishBlue]

DS age 21, average student at school, not great A-levels CCCD, worked his bum off at Teesside University, graduated with a First in June, full time job July on excellent starting salary with bonus and good prospects. Did also work part time in retail from 16 so has a good work ethic.

Was more than happy for DD to go to a modern university, or even apprenticeship, as was she, but she put a cheeky RG down as her first choice and met the entry. I don't think her job prospects and starting salary will be any/much different.

The main point is, both were happy and did/do well.

[Lilymaid]

I'm hoping that DS2 is soon to be a "successful non-RG graduate DC". He went to a well established but probably unfashionable non-RG university for his first degree and has just completed his masters at a (popular with Mumsnetters) RG university and is busy applying for jobs! He also has the disadvantage of not having the requisite 300 points at A2, so some city jobs are closed to him, despite a Merit in his Economics masters. The graduate recruitment market isn't terribly good on realising that some people are tortoises rather than hares ... but my little tortoise has caught up!

[dreamingofsun]

i went to an ex poly and my husband a non RG uni. both of us have graduate jobs - i had 4 offers from the milk round when i graduated to chose from. husband has his own consultancy firm and earns 100k+.

i did find that some industries were quite snooty though - banking - things may have changed since as i'm now ancient.

my son graduated from a non RG uni and went on to do a masters at a RG uni.

you will find some blinkered idiots and institutions but many go on what you are capable of.

I still don't understand why bristol uni thinks economics is substandard to geography or history at A level.....????

[Headofthehive55]

I agree with she there are many students on courses from all types of uni which do not give a good outcome. I was sat in a room with several young people the other day, started chatting, all others relatively recent graduates from RG unis, science, all working as health care assistants. One had a doctorate. I asked them why and what were the other people from their courses doing and it shocked me that they were all doing unskilled work. They all felt as if they had been duped.

[SheGotAllDaMoves]

OP, this site is peopled by highly educated and articulate women. The education boards even more so.

Statistically, there will be more of them who attended a highly selective course at a highly selective university. Ditto their DC.

That does not mean that the majority of young people don't end up at much less selective universities. Nor does it mean that they don't end up doing well in life.

That said, I feel very very strongly that far too many courses offer poor value for money. The courses are cobbled together to get bums on seats and cash in the bank. The outcomes for their grads are not great. It's a disgrace actually.

[Micah]

My Uni is non-RG. But is recognised worldwide as one of the best courses in medical science. Over Oxbridge.

As far as I can tell RG is pure marketing. Ive just had a quick look and there are several high class uni's not there- Brunel, Aberdeen, St andrews, Bath, Lancaster, Dundee- and that's just off the top of my head. All of those are widely recognised as at least equal to any RG uni.

I found future employers knew what courses produced good graduates. An employer would select an engineering graduate from Brunel over RG every time.

[mudandmayhem01]

Loughborough, Bath, St.Andrews, university of the arts London, Aston, RVC
All top class universities that are not RG. Some of the most competitive courses to get into ( ie physiotherapy, midwifery) at ex polys, its a marketing ploy to a large extent.

[FetaComplete]

This thread is very refreshing, OP. My dd is applying to non RG and it's good to hear all these positive stories.

[PotteringAlong]

I went to Cambridge. DH went to staffordshire university. Do you want to guess which one of us has the better job?!

She'll be fine!

[AnyoneButAndre]

A young acquaintance of mine has a first in Actuarial Science from Heriott Watt. She earns more money than you can possibly imagine (unless you're quite good at imagining money).

[Boredofthinkingofnewnames]

I work in a professional services career. We don't have many RG grads, as not many of them are highly specialised in the course required. We have a lot who are on day release to become qualified. It really isn't the be all and end all.

The actual degree does matter with regard to what they want to end up doing though, more so than te uni in my opinion.

[sooperdooper]

I'd never even heard of RG universities before MN!?

I didn't go to one, they weren't a thing when I went to uni and I'm doing pretty well for myself in PR for a very well known television organisation, I wouldn't put too much emphasis on it tbh

[SWFARMER]

Of course your daughter can have a successful career she just needs to continue to work hard.

Even people that didn't go to uni have successful careers. I was extremely bright in school but chose to not go to uni. I have a successful career for my age and bought my own house at 20.

She will do brilliantly by the sounds of it with her good work ethic and attitude

[beyondbelief]

I flunked my a-levels, resat a couple whilst taking a year out, and ended up at a non-RG university by the skin of my teeth (where I had a fantastic time and came out with a good degree, btw!)

I am now (25 years later) a lecturer at - ironically - a very famous RG university in one of the most prestigious departments for my subject in the world. (Although...I actually earn less than my colleagues at non-RG institutions because apparently academic kudos pays the bills...)

RG is not the be all and end all and it is crazy to think that there 'will Be little opportunity for her'. She will go to her second choice uni, have a ball and come out with a good qualification, and do whatever she likes for the rest of her life.

There is a lot of truth in the marketing aspect of RG. The subject chosen is often far more important.

[PerspicaciaTick]

Unexpected is right. The RG universities are just a marketing cartel.