Venting - my honours degree seems worthless

[ParsleyCake]

I got an honours degree in Classics and now I feel like I wasted my time as I can't find a job. It seems unless you want to work in admin or for some supermarket chain there's nothing.

You might think I should have thought about this before I chose to study classics but I was originally studying something else and was persuaded not to drop out when I was failing miserably and instead study something I had a passion for. I chose Classics as if interested me more than history (Classics being the study of the Greeks and Romans, including the Latin language, ancient writings and plays and general history). So basically it was a degree in Classics or nothing.

I studied so hard and got an average grade which was more than I expected and I was so proud. I decided I wanted to work in archiving and applied for an intern type job at a local council archive. I'm a hard working person and I get on well with people and even have experience from volunteering in those archives, but I didn't even get an interview. I know my CV and cover letter were fine so I don't know why I didn't even get an interview.

It's been months since I graduated and this has been the only job I have been able to seriously apply for. Not only because it is in my area of interest, but simply because on all the job websites, it was the only things I felt qualified for. I already spent years working as a cleaner and in cafes and shops, surely I should be able to get better work now that I have a degree? And by better I mean with better opportunities. In those crappy jobs it's not worth working your way up. You get to earn 8p more per hour for being a supervisor rather than a cleaner/waiter/shop assistant in some places, and that just isn't worth it.

Why did no one tell me that university was a useless waste of money? I've got student loans to pay off and my life feels stagnant and miserable at times. Where are all the job opportunities I was promised?

I do think though if you get your foot in the door of a large company by way of a non graduate position....if you work hard, they like you, etc then you're more likely to be promoted if you have a degree.

I temped for a while and on my first job as a receptionist within two weeks Id been offered a permanent job as a business/project assistant to one of the very senior managers/directors.

My current admin job is for a specialist arts institution and we have a specialist arts library and archive (I actually started working there as a summer temp pt library clerk on minimum wage, ten years after I got my first, lol. I had actually forgotten until SirCh mentioned, that this was the only job - a temp pt job - that was linked to my degree - to check out books and re-shelve - a tenuous link at best, but I had been job-searching for three years applying for any job that would take me, and being told I was over-qualified. So the summer shelf stacking thing was a god send). The library doesn't even accept anyone for the six month work experience placement without a Library/ Archive Masters. That's not even a job, just a work placement. You can't even apply without a specialist Masters.

If this is what you have set your heart on, then do consider post-grad training. (Although, I am not sure if your degree results will get you in?)

Don't give up. Be prepared to start somewhere else. And get on with it. There are other factors that have contributed to my tragic lack of career with an arts degree (moved lots, three kids, one with disability etc etc) but ultimately there is no denying that it is bloody hard work to find a career linked to most of these...

The sheer number of graduates that the government has deemed a Good Thing hasn't been met by an increase in the number of graduate level jobs, so the increasing numbers of graduates over the last twenty years are really just paying into the post sec education industry to get jobs they could have done without, tbh, all the while with the govt crowing about how highly educated we are, and that graduate numbers are increasing. But I will of course be ensuring my kids trot off to uni like good citizens, pay a fortune into the pot, and then try and support them into some sort of career. And sadly, as most people get degrees, the point at which you become employable in specialist fields has now moved up to be post-grad qualifications. So I suppose I might be paying out for those as well... Sigh.

Ignore me. I'm a miserable old git. it's probably exacerbated by being paid to sit in a basement and pen push though lol, although I am grateful to have this job at least. For a long time I was beginning to think I was completely unemployable!!

Your degree isn't worthless at all. It sounds like you've worked really hard and you should be proud of that. I don't think I'd get through one Classics essay.

Applying for one job where you don't meet the basic entry requirements isn't a test of how useful your degree is. You need to get a lot of applications in. I know it's tedious but it's a numbers game (not JUST a numbers game but the quantity is important) so get applying.

Which uni is your classics degree from?

I know many very well employed classicists. I've got a feeling this a quality of the degree problem, and not a subject one.

Whichever university it is, they need to work on their careers advice service!

Sadly degrees have been devalued, they are now ten a penny. School leavers who don't go to university are becoming the minority. A non career focused degree may not be enough to get someone into a job. Classics doesn't lead to particular job, to teach you would need a PGCE for instance.

You may well have to accept an entry level job and build from there.

So many young people are being miss sold uni :(

Which university and what class was it?

I am encouraging my ds to do a vocational degree. I agree that a non career focussed degree is no longer enough to get you into a job. And my ds does not have a single friend that is not planning to do anything other than go to university - it absolutely is the norm now.

My 1st degree (English) has been of no use to me at all. Much as I love the subject, I had zero interest in doing anything related, career wise. I've since gone on to do a BSc and MSc in subject relevant to my job.

I'm lucky in that tuition was still free when I went, and my parents paid for all my extras. My employer paid for all my post grad qualifications. But I can't see our children having the luxury of doing a degree 'just because', it would be pointless imo.

So many young people are being miss sold uni

I couldn't agree more. Universities have become factories, churning out more people with degrees than there are graduate jobs. Makes me mad.

I do think though if you get your foot in the door of a large company by way of a non graduate position....if you work hard, they like you, etc then you're more likely to be promoted if you have a degree.

^ that.

How old are you and what university?

I'm not sure I completely agree - it really, really depends on the role.

Yep, I agree with ragged and Simon. Before I did my Master's I had a couple of jobs with prospects (admin but with the power to move up the ranks - a power I would not have had without a degree), both obtained through temping.

It does sound like your uni was rubbish at careers advice - I do careers things with my old uni now - although my degree is in languages and I now work in IT, so the students tend to look at me like 'WTF went wrong in your life?' (am tempted to walk around with my day rate on a t-shirt to demonstrate it's not as bad as all that!). Mostly they haven't got a clue what they want to do either. (I didn't when I graduated in 1994, a time when there were almost no graduate jobs to be had).

I would think about graduate entry - industry, Civil Service etc. Civil Service will like the Classics degree but probably would want a higher grade, but worth a discussion.

I also agree with the suggestion of looking at uni admin jobs. Particularly Classics departments.

Oops - just reread ragged's post. Thought she said than if you had a degree. Yes, absolutely - try for a non-graduate post and try and work your way up. That will not always be possible as it depends on the sector you try for, but if you're prepared to widen your search to more than archivists job then that's another route open to you.

Trainee scheme here. Fiercely competitive, though, I'm sure.

How about

• offering a service teaching fun Latin and Greek to primary school aged children

-private tutoring for Classics A-level - you're well placed to help students who are struggling as you know what it feels like -find the nearest Roman villa or similar and volunteer there - look for projects you can take forward to develop transferable skills.

Don't just say 'I'm shy'. You can't afford to. An arts degree is still well worth it IMO but you have to get seriously proactive if you want employment in any way related to it.

Both my DS dropped out of university. They both found that it was not all they had hoped it would be, poor value and very expensive. Both have run successful businesses, done lots of different jobs and voluntary work. Generally seem to be finding their feet and gainful employment.

DD has decided against applying for Oxbridge in favour of a fantastic job opportunity abroad.

TBH I think , for a lot of kids, university has been devalued and is a very expensive con.

Even with a degree, you still have to get out there and find any sort of job to start with.

An awful lot of people that I know/work with have got where they are because of who they know, not what they know - which is a bit depressing if I am honest.

Nowadays just having a degree particularly a non vocational degree isn't enough to get you a graduate job as there are too many people in your position and massive competition. You need to get relevant work experience such as those suggested in order to stand out from the crowd. When most of us (I mean me and posters older than 40) went to university only 10% of the population had degrees now it's closer to 40% and the number of graduate jobs have not increased accordingly. Sadly graduates have lost their rarity value.

I'm older than 40, almost 50 even.
In my parents' generation 33% of people got Univ. degrees. Graduating in the 1960s.
It was a job market advantage for them and for me.

Not an archivist but a related field (think books...) and have been working in this field for 15 years. I know the sector v well.

I have not one but two arts degrees to complete my uselessness but what I do also have is a ton of generalised work experience. How old are you, op? What postgraduate options are open to you?

What you need is work experience. Any work experience. I worked in a supermarket while doing my masters and not only did I earn money, I loved the job so much I seriously considered going the graduate management programme!

While you are getting this work experience - think transferable skills - see if you can get some voluntary work in an archive or a library with special collections. Start with your alma mater: contact the university librarian/Head of Special Collections/Archives and see what they can do.

Have a look for Library Assistant jobs too. You aren't going to earn a lot but you will get that foot in the door.

You could also check what support your university offers their graduates. Many will offer support (online and in person) for several years afterwards. This could include CV writing, talks from people in different sectors and access to job adverts aimed at graduates.

Some really good suggestions on this thread about getting voluntary experience related to your classics degree so you have more practical skills to add to your CV.

Good luck with this.

I have a degree. I work as a PA. That said the degree has been very useful when job hunting (I have been told my strong academics plus relevant experience made my CV stand out) and as a legal PA it is of relevance to my degree (Law).

The University of Glasgow, and I got a 2.1
I'm 24

Many congratulations on gaining your degree!

I graduated 2 years ago with a First, in a humanities subject, at the age of 52. I have 25 years previous work experience in the information management/archive sector, but these jobs are currently rarer than unicorn poo. I now work for less than the living hourly wage, in an ad-hoc zero-hours front-of-house role in the heritage sector. Most of my colleagues have postgraduate qualifications, but NONE of us are employed in full time posts. Some of my young friends are currently juggling 3 or 4 () additional part time jobs just to pay the rent and eat. And we all gained these jobs after volunteering for at least a year with this particular (very high-profile and prestigious) institution. Life is tough out there for 24 year old people. But you there is so much you can do!

Please start volunteering ASAP. My DS has just started a history degree, and spent his Gap Yaar volunteering in local museums. He knows this experence has provided him with the 'soft skills' which will be valued almost as highly as his future degree will be by potential employers. And it will get you some good solid references!

I would LOVE to go back to uni and study Classics! Don't ever feel you have wasted your time or money - you have been trained how to THINK and reason - but just in a particular way. You now need to consolidate your experience with real life skills. Can you use a shop till? Organise a volunteer rota? create an advertising flyer/ social media campaign?

How about getting a job in a book shop eg Waterston or an independent book store in your local area. It would be a relevant job for your CV and give you some real life experience.

I can understand how demoralising it must be but please try not to sound so negative as on this thread, it won't do you any favours.

Good luck. No learning is ever wasted.