In a word: University
All through high school I was indoctrinated. "Go to university!", they said. "You will graduate and earn much money! Did you know that starting salaries are around £20,000 a year for a graduate?"

University was the thing to be aimed for. You'd get it all! 4 years of playing around doing nothing much and drinking copiously. On graduating careers would be for the picking! And the salaries exceptional.

Now I realise this sounded all too good to be true, but they kept telling us this. Teachers, parents, careers folk, even previous school leavers. I didn't think to question it.

So in September 2001 I puttered off to uni. I was miserable. I hated the people who were there (mostly). But still I hung on, in the knowledge that without uni, I could have no career.

I graduated in 2005, several thousands of pounds in debt. And couldn't get a fecking job that didn't pay minimum wage.

I didn't have *experience*.

So several thousands of pounds and wasted hours later, I'd have been just as well fucking leaving school and getting a job.

I've still never earned £20,000 a year, although have worked in the games industry. I got that job cause I like games and not because I have a fecking degree.

University was by far and away my biggest disappointment.

P.S. My boyfriend graduates tomorrow. Congratulations sweetie...and now for the crushing disappointment.

Apologies for length, but I have to use my essay writing skills for something.
(The Oncoming Storm, Thu 26 Jun 2008, 18:02, 8 replies)

Come to the conclusion
That university is great for having a cool time, drinking lots and ODing on sex. Other than that, those with real skill and talent don't really need it.

I too could have blown billions of other peoples money in the dot-com bubble. Then again, can't complain about the cool times, drinking and sex.
(Richy_T hundreds if not thousands of dollars, Thu 26 Jun 2008, 18:36, closed)

Here here!
I left school at 16, i'm now working for a high-end computer software manufacturer on 30£K a year.

Huzzah.
( Axai is in Montréal, Canada O.o, Thu 26 Jun 2008, 19:03, closed)

They do lie. But I liked uni for its own sake, not for the bogus career opportunities.
It was leaving that hurt.
( idonthaveafunnynickname Drink-Aware? Sure. I'm aware I want another drink., Thu 26 Jun 2008, 19:33, closed)

I'm starting Westminster Uni in september
I'm 20 now and been working since 16 (part time until I finished college at 18 and 2 years full time since)

I know I'm not garanteed a fantastic job at the end, where I'm paid in gold bullion to sit on my arse while naked supermodels serve me money sandwiches. (at least not right away) but am going to try and improve my self confidence and general social skills and just have a jolly good time.

Am I going to be disapointed?
(The_Mighty_Spleen, Thu 26 Jun 2008, 20:23, closed)

Uni is worth it for opening your mind and furthering your life experience
but the degree isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Three years of industry experience are far more useful, career-wise.

I dropped out after the first year, and have never regretted it.

Sorry.
( Peregr1n @peregr1n, Thu 26 Jun 2008, 20:38, closed)

To add some more though
I got a good degree and dropped out 3 1/2 years into a PhD. Sometimes I wish I could go back as the quality of life was fantastic. Life moves on though.

I also suggested to a friend who was dead-ending to go to Uni and it changed his life.

One other thing I would say. Forget your life's dream as a career. Go be a lawyer, work for 10 years leaching other peoples' money then retire and do whatever the hell you want for the rest of your life. Studying what you're good at is a recipe for getting on a career treadmill. Go for the moolah and cash out early. Even mediocre lawyers make big $$$ and it's mostly form filling anyway.
(Richy_T hundreds if not thousands of dollars, Fri 27 Jun 2008, 14:50, closed)

I'm of a similar thought.
I didn't take the Uni route, now I personally have no debt, am comfortable in my financial position, and working for a big multinational American software house as an IT Analyst.

Whereas...

One of my school friends did 4 years at Uni doing a computing degree, has £20k debt and is scraping by on the same first job I had 4 years ago at half my current earnings.

On the flip side, I'm pretty certain once he gets the experience card, he'll be on the road to financial security a bit easier than I will when changing jobs.
(Ethelred is watching cheese grow, Sun 29 Jun 2008, 12:05, closed)

I quite agree with you
I found Uni to be shit. The course was shit. It was run by morons. Put me into massive debt. Only started to pick up by the third year when I found some actual likeable people. I've been out of uni for 5 years, and I'm nearly on £20k.
( gareth_alien will be human again at, Tue 1 Jul 2008, 12:59, closed)