[Alphashadow]

Hi folks,

At the moment, I'm just starting my second year of a Philosophy and German degree. I've no real idea what job I'll eventually end up doing, but what's caught my attention over the past year or two, is handling emergency calls for, in my case as I'm in London, either the London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade or Met police.

The reason for this, is that I've been a Samaritans volunteer for a year and a half now, and am loving doing that, and although I realise there is a gulf of difference between supporting an emotional caller via Samaritans, and supporting a caller and needing to urgently get some information out of them in an emergency situation, there are also clear similarities.

The pay generally isn't the best in the world (at least for the LAS): I believe for the LAS, a call handler gets (after qualifying) something in the region of just over £20,000. For the LFB, I presume it's around £25,000, though I've seen nothing written down to confirm this, and finally with the Met - location dependant - either £27,500 or £29,500.
The thing is, is that I know I've got a long way to go yet (at least two, perhaps three, years), but it frustrates me that my mum, who's a deputy headteacher, has such a dismissive attitude.. She says that, at the end of the day, if I end up doing that sort of job, I might as well as not have a degree, as it won't be utilising any of the skills I'll have gained. She says that I should do some sort of HR role first - but that doesn't interest me in the slightest, to be honest..

I know that, at the end of the day, my chosen job and career choice really is up to me, but I'm just interested in your own opinions, of what I've said here?

Cheers,
Joe.

[Kelser]

I say go for it! HR roles are SOUL destroying and I've never met a happy HR person. Really, never, and I've met many.

You might as well do something you enjoy, at least until you have any other ideas! Pretty much everyone I know that's graduated this year (with a very good degree from a good university) is either unemployed or working a job with salary c.£15,000 that they have absolutely no interest in nor need a degree to do.

Too many graduates seem to be under the illusion that they'll end up with a massive wage in the perfect job right away, but that's rarely the case. You don't seem to be and I think it's great you have at least an idea - tt's very realistic if you ask me. That's also a very decent starting salary for a recent grad.

[cpj1987]

I say do what you want. A degree doesn't have to lead for a job - live for what you enjoy.

[g2da3]

Originally Posted by Kelser

I say go for it! HR roles are SOUL destroying and I've never met a happy HR person. Really, never, and I've met many.

I know many happy HR people, i dont know maybe in london its different

[Fleece]

As a German graduate myself, I can tell you that you will gain the much coveted communication skills - which are undoubtedly crucial to a job like you want. A degree isn't just about what you study, it's about the soft skills you gain from learning and all the other things you do at uni.

[jacketpotato]

Do what you want dude. The most important thing you get from a degree are personal skills - unless you particularly want to become a German philosopher.

Do look at the long-term though. £30k is a very good starting salary, but I suspect you might have poor promotion prospects, which may frustrate you when working full-time. But do what you think is best.

[Alphashadow]

Cheers folks, it's much appreciated..

To JacketPotato - Yup, I've thought about the potential lack of job progression and I think I'd like to do a job like that, purely for the satisfaction of helping people.. That said, I'm not sure of the progression yet, as all I've done is made some preliminary enquiries.

[bethan2]

Hi there

Remember that whatever you choose to do, no-one can ever take your degree away from you and you will always have the skills and experience from that degree. Your degree has helped to make you who you are - a valuable person with skills to offer, whether they may be directly connected to your planned career or not. As other people have said, the communication and interpersonal skills you have gained from the German part of your degree will always be useful (plus have you spent a year abroad - that is always good experience too!).

As for me, I originally did a Law with Spanish degree and I am now working in the social care field

Oh and you should never feel pressured by your mum into doing a job you don't want to do - it's you who will be doing the job not her!!

Good luck.

Beth