Monday's important question
Do qualifications equate to a well paid job to you?

For me they haven't. I was earning 6 times my most recent salary when I was a student working at the BBC, then when I graduated, the only jobs I could get were in retail positions. Working saving the lives of animals, I earn less than someone who works in a Mcjob, but it's all I want to do.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:36, 84 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Depends on the qualifications,
I wouldn't have got my job here without a Bsc, didn't seem to care which one I had though.

Not that I'm paid that much, I'm a public servant.
(PsychoChomp, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:39, Reply)

Job ads seem to ask for
Either a degree or relevant experience, so I think it definitely helps but isn't essential.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:02, Reply)

True, experience is more important
but how are you going to get that without the qualifications?
(PsychoChomp, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:04, Reply)

Blowjobs for the interviewer
It's the fabled Third Way.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:55, Reply)

Hard to say
I know that I've had difficulty because my cv is appauling when compared to my skills. Not having bits of paper to back it up makes things much harder than it need be.

It's even more infuriating when a job advertisment asks for a non-specific degree for no reason other than to "prove" that the applicant isn't braindead. That's when I really wish I'd not quit uni.

Mind you I cannot suffer fools gladly and there seem to be a lot of those trying to earn a living so my somewhat outrageous plan to have quit the rat race, forever, by the end of 2010 has some appeal.
( Captain V, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:43, Reply)

Re: Braindead
I know a couple of people who can get straight A's in their numerous degrees but struggle to remember how to breathe!
(Ethelred is watching cheese grow, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:46, Reply)

You've reminded me of how I badly I've underachieved in education since the age of about 14
I don't like you :(
( Captain V, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:49, Reply)

Swings and roundabouts
In my particular case, I'm earning double what my mate is, and he has a Bsc. I don't have much in the way of qualifications (nor the 20k debt he has).

On the other hand, I have mates who earn a great deal more than me now they are qualified.
(Ethelred is watching cheese grow, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:44, Reply)

Im
totally unqualified for my job in IT, have no sql or programming qualifications but am on a much much higher wage than i would be if I carried on my vocation as a lab technician that im qualified for
(Halfy By light alone, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:44, Reply)

Qualifications are like pre-cum
They help you get in, but then you need the rest of your toolkit (nous, cunning, lies, pandering) at that point.
( chart cat has an itch, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:46, Reply)

Ooh do you do that precum thing CC?
Enquiring minds must know
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:48, Reply)

*cough*
and no, there isn't something stuck in my throat
(Ethelred is watching cheese grow, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:50, Reply)

What are you coughing for Ethel?

( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:53, Reply)

someone's cupping his balls

(PsychoChomp, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:04, Reply)

I'd love to discuss it
but PJM would kill me and it's pub o'clock here in rainy Tokyo ;-)
( chart cat has an itch, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:05, Reply)

Nah, he's immune to it now
and you're in Tokyo?
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:09, Reply)

*cries*
*remembers Lab yelling at Spak in the pub*
*laughs*
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:55, Reply)

"Some people don't get it, some people are worried by that, but at the end of the day, it doesn't make any differance" ?

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:52, Reply)

I have a degree in Philosophy
But I have a quite specific IT job. My company trained me up, but they weren't bothered that I didn't have any formal IT qualifications. I convinced them that my degree was actually useful to the job, and that I knew a fair bit about computers.

My boss later told me that I interviewed very well, and that despite his first impressions (Philosophy grad with blue dreadlocks and facial piercings), I was his first pick.

I got a lucky break really.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:51, Reply)

and you've been winging it ever since

( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:53, Reply)

Yeah, keep it to yourself will ya?

( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:55, Reply)

Happy b3ta birthday

( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:45, Reply)

Happy B3ta day Lab.
Hmm. I have a degree, which I gained whilst working. It may have helped me in the job I'm in now; however, I studied public services management which is directly relevant to my job anyway. But getting the degree more or less coincided with a dramatic rise in salary and a move out of admin stuff, so maybe it did help.

That said my list of O and A levels is pretty unspectacular, and I gained my A some ten years after leaving school.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:56, Reply)

I
I have no qualifications after A level and have a shit paid job so probably *cries*
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:57, Reply)

I thought you were enjoying your job?

( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 9:58, Reply)

No it sucks
hence my applying for another one which I should hear if I have an interview today *nervouses*
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:06, Reply)

aww I'm sorry love
keeping fingers and stuff crossed for you
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:10, Reply)

Thanks :)
How's your job hunt going? I was going to ask on Saturday but then I got drunk and forgot
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:14, Reply)

It was going shit then
but I just got a call to ask if I can go in for a trial shift sometime this week. So fingers crossed here too :)
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:16, Reply)

ooh yay
I shall keep everything crossed as well!
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:19, Reply)

I have my bisected penis crossed for you

( Captain V, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:38, Reply)

Aww thanks V
that's so sweet
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:40, Reply)

Now I need the mindbleach
Ew. But good luck becky!
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:00, Reply)

*cough*
Well, I have a really useful and proper degree in a really useful and proper subject which is why I am now doing a job that is in no way related to what I studied.

In answer to your question, I think it depends entirely on the individual. For every billionaire who left school at 15 to sell car aerials there are millions of others who are just like us - normal.

Of course, I use 'normal' as a relative term.
( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:02, Reply)

Oooh I have a degree just like yours
it's never looked upon as worthless and a waste of time. Nooooo.

At every interview I've been to, I've never been asked to prove my qualifications, so I have an £18,000 piece of paper which is glanced at and then ignored. Sadface.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:12, Reply)

Try having a degree in Psychology,
A standard example of the repsonse to that is
"ha, you need that here. We're all mad!"

fuck off
(PsychoChomp, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:20, Reply)

I would punch anyone who said that.
Hard. In the face.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:32, Reply)

that's not generally good interview technique.

(PsychoChomp, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:33, Reply)

My degree hasn't helped me get a job in the least.
And my wage is shit.
So... No.
If I wanted to go down the "selling my soul" route, I could get my company to fund a big Health and Safety qualification for me. Then I'd be in H&S forever.
And end up making lots of money.
But instead I'm quitting in August.
( Cawl, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:04, Reply)

oooh
our mutual acquaintance contacted me completely out of the blue the other day, is she back at work?
(Halfy By light alone, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:10, Reply)

She seems to be
Coming in randomly, as and when suits her. Couple of mornings a week.
( Cawl, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:11, Reply)

nice
always helpful to plan around
(Halfy By light alone, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:35, Reply)

Yeah...
Damn breeders.
( Cawl, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:49, Reply)

I was told to 'study what you're interested in'
as having a degree would open doors, no matter what it was in.

I am an expert in Ancient Greek and Roman culture. This has opened no door save than that of the job centre. The statement above may well have been true once, but by the time I graduated it was complete testes.

I work in online and catalogue retail and do OK, however this is 100% unrelated to my qualifications.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:15, Reply)

Coincidence!
My line manager has a degree in Romance Languages (Latin and Ancient Greek) and he's an IT Development Manager.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:03, Reply)

I got a 2:2 Honours Degree in Marketing
Very punk rock.

It got me a job (in the same field) with a shit wage, although the experience will prove to be valuable.

I'm planning on the big move to the city in August/September (well the sooner the better really) although my constant spending of money is really not helping.
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:26, Reply)

I have just graduated
With a 2:1 from a top 25 uni in a science subject. Can I find a job that pays me more than about £12k? Nope. Really quite depressing.
( Anthropos Was making beer on, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:27, Reply)

I thought they were crying out for science grads?
or is it just to make them science teachers?

hides from Mr K
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:28, Reply)

Yeah...
That's what they fucking told me.
"We need science graduates!"

Like fuck they do.
Should've done graphic design.
( Cawl, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:30, Reply)

Screw that
there's shit loads of graphic designers.
(PsychoChomp, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:31, Reply)

Lot of jobs in it though.
My point being I could've done a much easier degree, and still ended up where I am now.
( Cawl, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:34, Reply)

It's very competative,
and design companies tend to go in and out of buisness really quickly.
(PsychoChomp, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:42, Reply)

Yep, they do.
Which is why in-house design is the way to go.
Not as exciting, but more secure.
( Cawl, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:44, Reply)

I studied graphic design
And look at me now!
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:50, Reply)

Do I have to?

( Cawl, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:03, Reply)

Yes
Don't you find his gyrating hips mesmerising?
( Captain V, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:10, Reply)

No.
Just motion-sick.
( Cawl, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:15, Reply)

What a shame
*gyrates*
( Captain V, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:17, Reply)

I suppose the idea is that
as Monty says, the degree should open doors and create opportunities for you to earn a large amount of money, though a certain amount of soul-selling may be necessary depending on how much you want to earn.

Of course, the balance is always skewed by jobs which require minimal qualifications and yet still pay a small fortune from the word go. *cough*TubeDrivers*cough*
(LongJohnBaldry, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:28, Reply)

I applied to be a station cleaner a few years ago
and didn't get an interview because I was over qualified. That's a 30k job ffs.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:42, Reply)

When I left school after A levels I took a year out
and worked in a firm of accountants. If I'd stayed I'd now be very wealthy - not because I'd have been a partner, no. I'd have married the boss and shagged his partners on a rotational basis.

Anyway, I went off and got myself three degrees - the paper type, not the singing type.

And I'm still earning around the same amount per annum as I earned when I worked at the accountants.

That said, I love my job, I have intellectual freedom, plenty of time to read and research the stuff I'm interested in and I also don't feel hemmed in.

It works for me but then I've never been motivated by money. In many respects I wish I had been - at least now I'd have a nice large house, flash car, fancy holidays and very probably a cocaine habit.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:52, Reply)

You have three degrees?
Christ!
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:58, Reply)

Yep, you wouldn't think to look at me
I look like I should be working in the Early Learning Centre.

Or Asda.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 13:07, Reply)

No,
she has THE Three Degrees, tied up in the cellar.
( Mrs Entity is in hiding., Mon 15 Jun 2009, 22:30, Reply)

I don't
think that qualifications are anything more than an entry ticket, and they might help you get into that reasonably paid job, but not much further on their own.

My immediate boss has no qualifications further than A-level, but he's been here years, he's shit-hot at what he does and he's on a 6-figure salary.

Some of my friends from my university course though who have exactly the same qualifications as me are struggling to earn half of what I do, and are unable to get anything more than low-paid temporary hourly-paid work. Funnily enough, they were pretty much the same people who always aced their university work too.

It pretty much goes to show that qualifications don't really count for anything in the longer term.
( rubberduck should only be used after consulting with your GP, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 10:54, Reply)

Is your boss single?

( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:08, Reply)

He's
married with kids, and bears an uncanny resemblance to Hugh Laurie in Gregory House guise.

Except that House is more amiable.
( rubberduck should only be used after consulting with your GP, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:15, Reply)

Happily married?
:p
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:16, Reply)

I think so
But he's got a shit taste in cars.

At his grade, he could have virtually anything on the company car scheme, including stuff like Jag XKRs and Range Rovers. What does he have? A sodding Focus 1.6 estate, which pisses me off no end with its pure lack of oomph every time I drive it.

His excuse is that it only costs him about £40 a month.
( rubberduck should only be used after consulting with your GP, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:19, Reply)

Oh well that's a deal breaker
I need a man with a decent car.

Although if I met anyone with an early Opel Manta (cira 1975) I would marry them in a heartbeat. Want so so so much
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:21, Reply)

I have qualifications
If you want your gas turbine powered ship or power station maintained I'm your man!

However, I sell sticky tape - highly technical chemically-engineered sticky tape, so I do use my engineering knowledge. The pay is above national average and I get to choose my car!

Life is good.
(Captain Placid 24/7 ball gags, brownie mix and clown porn, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:31, Reply)

Ah the good Captain!
You and Poof got any more gigs lined up? :)
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:33, Reply)

Yep!
Gig on the 11th july at the Brickmakers I'm even going to see if the inimitable Poo will do the "karaoke for the deaf" bit!
(Captain Placid 24/7 ball gags, brownie mix and clown porn, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 17:48, Reply)

I did fine art and look where I am now.
Been an office monkey for years.
( girlinthehole, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:36, Reply)

It really doesn't, in my experiance.
I was the only one of my friends who left school at 16, there are a couple who left at A-Levels, pretty much everyone else did their uni thing* (most finished).

I'ld say all the ones who left at A-Level and GCSE have jobs they quite like and they get decent pay at our age (25ish), as they have experiance. I'ld say about 1/3 of the Uni people are on amazing pay and jobs, and the other 2/3s are quite a few steps bellow the careea ladder than everyone else.

The uni lot tend to get more interviews when they're looking, but they get less offers, and lower ones.

I really really disagree with Tony Blair's stance that "50% of people in higher education", some people, myself included, just arn't count out for education. It's not that I'm a thicko, it's just I'm better at 'real world' sinarios.



* I don't know what, enough people have tried to explain to me what the different innitials mean, and it still doesn't stick in my head.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:48, Reply)

"It's not what you know, but who you know." rings so true in my ..ermmm.. careea.

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 11:50, Reply)

On the other hand, i'm a bit of a special case, I can't really do normal hours, or even consistant hours.
And I can't get any benfits money or anything like that.

So I've always had to do my own thing.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 12:16, Reply)

Why not?
Are you one of those illegal immigrants I'm supposed to be worried about?
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 12:20, Reply)

Every time I try, they lose my forms 5 times, or feed me a ton of lines about this and that.
I don't really understand their paper book-work. What I've got is so inconsistant, I could go a couple of weeks without taking a day off, then go a few days where i'ld have to (at least) work from home. Then I have all sorts of doctors appoitments all the time. Then I have treatment every 2 months that knocks me out for at least a week. It's no Little Timmy case, most of my life is great, and loads of it could be far worst.

It seems to me, with benfits, you're eaither working or you're not. I understand this isn't always the case, and some people can get substidised, but (from what I gather) for me to do that, I would have to 'estrange' (or whatever the word is) from my family, and I'm not prepaired to do that eaither.
( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 12:27, Reply)

Oooh, and the whole "You start learning when you _leave_ [insert education centre of your choice]".

( G/PP 💩💩💩💩💩&#128, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 12:21, Reply)

Working in IT I've found that you definitely don't need a degree to get a well paid job.

I have no degree and am doing alright, if an interviewer gets sniffy at my lack of a degree, they're generally an elitist tool (It's only happened once - not that I'm bitter).

The best jobs I've had have been where managers have let my skills and experience in the industry speak for themselves, not a non-related degree.

That said, I don't know how a lack of degree will affect me at a more senior stage in my career.
(b3tamax Mate, you're fat and I'll throw you in the river, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 12:19, Reply)

I work in science
and I wouldn't be able to do what I do without a degree. It used to be that you could (and with a decent background knowledge and training, there's no reason why not) but science is very qualification-heavy yet relatively poorly paid. If I ever want to earn above £25k then I'll have to do a PhD and I'm truly not sure I'm cut out for it.
*sigh* still, it's what I want to do, so I'd be doing it regardless of pay and qualifications.
I think being a Champion of Poorly Fluffehs is more important than a fat paycheque, myself, so good for you :)
(berk, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 12:20, Reply)

It does for me
One masters and one phd later and I'm living in Switzerland and being paid ~£50k a year to Fuck about with computers, measure some properties of particles no one else really cares about and read b3ta on my iPhone in the gents.

If I wasn't doing something I loved however, I'd have taken that £60k plus benefits and bonus job in London and would probably have been laid off once the recession hit.

So, I'm paid less than I could be but I'm happy. Not to mention that I've managed to dodge the whole recession bullet.
(Shippy likes linebreaks and doesn't care what you think, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 14:29, Reply)

50 grand for a job at CERN?
Are you providing any 'extras' on the side?
( monkeybananaraffle, Mon 15 Jun 2009, 20:46, Reply)