[ChrisH91]

Hey TSR peoples,

I've been taking advice and reading posts on TSR for a while and now I could really use some advice.

I'm in my 3rd year of uni at Edinburgh just now and it's coming up to exam season. In February I started working for a startup and I've enjoyed that work more than any of my university studies, now I've been offered a full time job by them and I'm almost certain I'm going to take it however I'm a bit worried that without having a degree I won't have anything to fall back on if this startup fails.

If anybody has any experience with dropping out or has been in a similar position I'd be incredibly grateful if they could answer these questions:

1. How valuable is work experience compared to a degree, am I likely to be able to get a degree level job with only this work experience on my CV?
2. How easy would it be to go back to uni and do another degree if I drop out now?
3. Is an ordinary degree worth anything, one option I have is to stay until the end of this exam period and them leave with an ordinary degree but I'd really rather just leave just now and start working, if everything goes wrong with this startup is this likely to prevent me getting another decent job?

Thanks in advance!

[ProStacker]

Do not drop out. You have invested several years into the degree and it will always be there as a Plan B if everything fails. Dropping out to work on a start up would not look good on your CV. You would be questioned rather harshly on the decision to drop out at that stage. It could demonstrate someone who doesn't stick with something and is a bit flighty. You can't compare a month of work with two years of study, so at least get the degree.

[Londonpie72]

You are already in your 3rd year might as well complete your degree.

You can speak to them that you can work part time there and when your degree is complete can then go for the full time.

Slightly strange do you not like what you are studying

[ebee]

(Original post by ChrisH91)
1. How valuable is work experience compared to a degree, am I likely to be able to get a degree level job with only this work experience on my CV?

It is very difficult to get a degree-level job *with* a degree, depending on your field - I think you will almost certainly find it much harder than average. If nothing else, quitting your degree to pursue a startup may (if it works out) may make you very wealthy and you won't have a problem. If your startup fails, or is short of being an outstanding success story - which is overwhelmingly the most likely option - you will be stuck with some experience but no qualifications of note, and employers will see your history and conclude that you have poor judgement. The risk very much outweighs the reward!

(Original post by ChrisH91)
2. How easy would it be to go back to uni and do another degree if I drop out now?

It would be easy enough to get in somewhere, but what you have already invested in your university education would become a breathtakingly large waste of time and money.

(Original post by ChrisH91)
3. Is an ordinary degree worth anything, one option I have is to stay until the end of this exam period and them leave with an ordinary degree but I'd really rather just leave just now and start working, if everything goes wrong with this startup is this likely to prevent me getting another decent job?

Yes. Jobs that filter on degree classification - i.e. most of the them - would disregard you as you wouldn't have even a third class honours degree.

[petite fille]

I'm guessing you only have a matter of a few months left, in which case I think you should stick it out until the end - you will be more employable in the long run and may have better job opportunities than this particular one, especially with Edinburgh being a well respected university. Dropping out nearing the end of third year in pursuit of a career may look a bit slack. Good luck in what you decide to do.

[kka25]

Please stick to your degree. You have gone for so long

[BKS]

If nobody here has convinced you go talk to careers (they are in the library) and they will tell you the same thing- dropping out and wasting 3 years of work over a job (not even a career) is really daft, at best

I've always enjoyed my work more than my studies. I wanted to drop out in third year. But I'm now just about finished 4th year and glad I didn't. This year has flown by more than any other and at the end of it my long term career prospects are much better. So worth an extra few months.

Can you go full time over the summer? Ask them nicely to keep the job open for you til you graduate? Since it's a smaller company they might do it

A degree can't be made up for in experience. Anything other than a full degree will look bad because you didn't stick at it and ended up with something barely worth while

[giella]

I've worked with quite a few people who have taken a break from study to do a mid-degree gap year. This is a European import as many universities in Europe encourage students to do it. If you speak to your Dean or course directors they may be amenable to opening up a discussion with you about it as it is becoming more common.

[ChrisH91]

Thanks for the replies guys, you've been a big help.

I will definitely be working with them full time over the summer. The only thing that's swaying me is the very attractive salary I've been offered but it seems like it would be a very risky - but nobody makes it far without taking a few risks, right?

I don't know if it's possible just to take a year out with the option of coming back to finish my degree at Edinburgh but that would be ideal right now. I'm meeting with my director of studies to discuss it more so hopefully something like that will be possible.

You're all awesome

[ProStacker]

If someone is willing to strip you out of your degree so close to actually having it, they aren't the sort of person I'd want to work for. Even the least ethical people I've ever done business with would have trouble with such a selfish move.
Try and cut a deal with the company and if they want you that much they will do something. If not, they are taking advantage of you in the worst way possible by waving a wodge of cash under your student nose. Finish your degree.

[Tokyoround]

You're in third year, and like what, 2-3 months from finishing?! Just stick with it.

I agree that it is highly inappropriate for them to be pressuring you into dropping out. I would not work for such an employer. They should encourage you to achieve your best. "Investing in people" and all that.

[Newky]

Finish the degree. If you were on year 1 then sure drop out but the end of year 3? lol

[truthandtragedy]

(Original post by Tokyoround)
You're in third year, and like what, 2-3 months from finishing?! Just stick with it.

I agree that it is highly inappropriate for them to be pressuring you into dropping out. I would not work for such an employer. They should encourage you to achieve your best. "Investing in people" and all that.

He's at Edinburgh, he still has 4th year to do.

[Tokyoround]

(Original post by truthandtragedy)
He's at Edinburgh, he still has 4th year to do.

Ah, I should really pay more attention to the details. Still, not worth dropping out.

[moeenkhan]

(Original post by ProStacker)
If someone is willing to strip you out of your degree so close to actually having it, they aren't the sort of person I'd want to work for. Even the least ethical people I've ever done business with would have trouble with such a selfish move.
Try and cut a deal with the company and if they want you that much they will do something. If not, they are taking advantage of you in the worst way possible by waving a wodge of cash under your student nose. Finish your degree.

Massively agree. A great employer would recognise the fact you're so far into your degree and and at very least not employ you, if not delay your start date.

Completing your degree IS pursuing your career. I see where you're coming from in terms of taking risks, it's also a risk declining the job offer so don't be afraif of baring out a while longer.

I think Scottish degrees are 4 years in general guys, so OP will have at least another year left if i'm correct, not 2-3 months.

[ForKicks]

(Original post by ChrisH91)
Thanks for the replies guys, you've been a big help.

I will definitely be working with them full time over the summer. The only thing that's swaying me is the very attractive salary I've been offered but it seems like it would be a very risky - but nobody makes it far without taking a few risks, right?

I don't know if it's possible just to take a year out with the option of coming back to finish my degree at Edinburgh but that would be ideal right now. I'm meeting with my director of studies to discuss it more so hopefully something like that will be possible.

You're all awesome

What is the salary? Either way, it is not going to be the most secure job in the world and you only have a year and a bit left!!

[kka25]

(Original post by ProStacker)
If someone is willing to strip you out of your degree so close to actually having it, they aren't the sort of person I'd want to work for. Even the least ethical people I've ever done business with would have trouble with such a selfish move.
Try and cut a deal with the company and if they want you that much they will do something. If not, they are taking advantage of you in the worst way possible by waving a wodge of cash under your student nose. Finish your degree.

I agree with this poster. Any sane person would know that you are almost finished and should finish; because it's 3 years of your life! If the company says just leave the degree after 3 years, I wouldn't want to work with that place; because I know they want what's best for them, not what's best for me =(

Mate I have a degree, and after finishing it, it's such a good feeling to know that if I lost a job, I can always find another one because I have a some form of qualification; meaning that I could pass a certain filter and now all I need is to pass the interview.

If you're tired of study, take a leave and try the work out. If you don't like it, go back to uni and finish the degree. If you like the work, take the degree part time (if you can) or ask your employer if you can negotiate with the scheduling. Whatever it is, your education is important, the company come second. It's not like you're failing your degree (if it is, then I could understand) but it's just that you want to fulfill a need but the need is wrongly prioritized.

[Dee Leigh]

No, don't drop out. You've nearly finished your degree, so what would be the point. Plus it's not a good idea anyway. It's not like the company is asking you to drop out, is it?

You are at Edinburg, so you will have a year and a couple of months left, but I still say - finish your degree.

[Dee Leigh]

I think you should talk to the employer about delaying a start date. Explain that you are still studying for a degree. Really they should understand and accept it.

[Brighten]

It might be worth considering if it was an established company, but start-ups are notoriously volatile. If things don't go as projected I imagine that you, as one of their newest employees, would be first the first head on the block. Stick it out for another 14 or so months, after all you've already put in 2 and a half years. There will be other opportunities.