History degree...is there any point?
University course discussion for history.
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Re: History degree...is there any point?You really have to think of what you can do with it afterwards. Of course teaching would be very easy to sidestep into, or you could work your way into the academic life and eventually become a lecturer. You could do a masters in things like archivism/librarianship if that side suits you. You can't really do much directly, it all involved further study and there is very little employment even with the further study. I started my course (not pure history, but integrated) before the recession, so I am in limbo now as there is very little point in doing an expensive masters with zero chance of a job afterwards since the sector I want to get into (archivism) is not hiring and has not in years and years. (Recruitment freeze in the public sector in Ireland, in place since 2008).
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Re: History degree...is there any point?A lot of graduate recruitment schemes/jobs don't ask for specific courses though. In which case, you would on the same level as various other arts/humanities/social science students. After all, a degree gives you a lot of transferrable skills.(Original post by StarsAreFixed)
You really have to think of what you can do with it afterwards. Of course teaching would be very easy to sidestep into, or you could work your way into the academic life and eventually become a lecturer. You could do a masters in things like archivism/librarianship if that side suits you. You can't really do much directly, it all involved further study and there is very little employment even with the further study. I started my course (not pure history, but integrated) before the recession, so I am in limbo now as there is very little point in doing an expensive masters with zero chance of a job afterwards since the sector I want to get into (archivism) is not hiring and has not in years and years. (Recruitment freeze in the public sector in Ireland, in place since 2008).
Plus, I think that part of the decision when picking a degree course should be interest/enjoyment. Why spend three years studying something you dislike or are indifferent about? I feel quite lucky to have been able to spend three years focused on topics I find interesting. And, with a course like history, you can often manage your time to fit in part time employment/placements etc that help increase your employability.
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Re: History degree...is there any point?Is there any point doing any degree? Is there any point doing anything at all? Is there any point in living?
As a great mind once said, "Why are you in bed with me? If we start to nitpick this all starts falling apart." -
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Re: History degree...is there any point?I very much enjoy it, but I mean in terms of job prospects.
I see you are aiming for teaching, and while I have considered it I'm not sure if that is what I would want to do.
Looking at business related jobs, most masters degrees I have looked at want business related degrees. Even for jobs in places such as unicef want economics/finance/social science type degrees (masters degrees mind you, but I can't study a MSc Economics with a history degree now can I
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What was your degree title?(Original post by StarsAreFixed)
You really have to think of what you can do with it afterwards. Of course teaching would be very easy to sidestep into, or you could work your way into the academic life and eventually become a lecturer. You could do a masters in things like archivism/librarianship if that side suits you. You can't really do much directly, it all involved further study and there is very little employment even with the further study. I started my course (not pure history, but integrated) before the recession, so I am in limbo now as there is very little point in doing an expensive masters with zero chance of a job afterwards since the sector I want to get into (archivism) is not hiring and has not in years and years. (Recruitment freeze in the public sector in Ireland, in place since 2008).
Wouldn't want to become a lecturer. I'd rather do teaching, it seems more 'friendly' or something compared to a lecturer, but as stated above, not sure if I'd want to do that.
What university did you study at and what grade (if thats the rigth word?) did you get? -
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Re: History degree...is there any point?My course was interdisclipinary, History took up about one third of it. Irish Studies, Trinity College Dublin and unfortunately a 2:2 for a lot of reasons. The grade alone excludes me from lots of masters and graduate jobs.
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Re: History degree...is there any point?Still though, it's one of the best unis in the world, surely that counts for something?(Original post by StarsAreFixed)
My course was interdisclipinary, History took up about one third of it. Irish Studies, Trinity College Dublin and unfortunately a 2:2 for a lot of reasons. The grade alone excludes me from lots of masters and graduate jobs.
Thats Irish language etc as well then yeah?
What are you planning on doing now if you don't mind me asking? -
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Re: History degree...is there any point?(Original post by bestofyou)
Still though, it's one of the best unis in the world, surely that counts for something?
Thats Irish language etc as well then yeah?
What are you planning on doing now if you don't mind me asking?
Hopefully..at least I have its prestige!
Yes, and geography and literature etc.
I don't know. Either wait and do a masters in archivism when the prospect is better than zero like it is now, or qualify in something else entirely that has jobs in it. I'm really really not into teaching at all... -
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Re: History degree...is there any point?'This' economic climate till be 3/4years old by the time I finish.(Original post by Idrink2muchcoffee)
Pretty useless. Do you really want to do a non vocational degree in this economic climate?
While I agree the degree itself may not be the most appealing to employers, I don't plan on getting a job with it. No matter what I plan on doing I will need to do a post-graduate course.
What degree would you recommend in 'this' economic climate then? -
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Re: History degree...is there any point?Bear in mind that 'this' economic climate started in 2007/8 and if anything has got more serious.(Original post by bestofyou)
'This' economic climate till be 3/4years old by the time I finish.
While I agree the degree itself may not be the most appealing to employers, I don't plan on getting a job with it. No matter what I plan on doing I will need to do a post-graduate course.
What degree would you recommend in 'this' economic climate then? -
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Re: History degree...is there any point?Most FTSE 100 graduate schemes don't specify a specific degree they want - they'll take on anyone with a 2.1 (or sometimes 2.2) and train them up on-the-job or with extra professional qualifications.(Original post by bestofyou)
I very much enjoy it, but I mean in terms of job prospects.
I see you are aiming for teaching, and while I have considered it I'm not sure if that is what I would want to do.
Looking at business related jobs, most masters degrees I have looked at want business related degrees. Even for jobs in places such as unicef want economics/finance/social science type degrees (masters degrees mind you, but I can't study a MSc Economics with a history degree now can I ).
If you want to do a MSc Economics, you can do a 2yrs Master's course which consists of 1yr doing a postgraduate diploma in Economics (essentially a concentrated undergrad economics degree in 1 yr). It's no biggie.
Lolwut(Original post by bestofyou)
Still though, it's one of the best unis in the world, surely that counts for something?
Thats Irish language etc as well then yeah?
What are you planning on doing now if you don't mind me asking? -
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Re: History degree...is there any point?Lol thank you... Trinity College Dublin is not one of the best compared to the Russell Group unis (Oxbridge incl. in that)(Original post by RocknRap)
Most FTSE 100 graduate schemes don't specify a specific degree they want - they'll take on anyone with a 2.1 (or sometimes 2.2) and train them up on-the-job or with extra professional qualifications.
If you want to do a MSc Economics, you can do a 2yrs Master's course which consists of 1yr doing a postgraduate diploma in Economics (essentially a concentrated undergrad economics degree in 1 yr). It's no biggie.
Lolwut -
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Re: History degree...is there any point?(Original post by bestofyou)
What degree would you recommend in 'this' economic climate then?
joint BA Chinese & history?
seems to cover a few bases -
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Re: History degree...is there any point?Why not do what you are going to have to do in a post graduate course as your undergrad degree? It would save you a lot of effort and time. I would suggest degrees like Accountancy, Finance, Medicine, Human Resources Management, Business Management, Law, Nursing, Computer Science, Teaching.(Original post by bestofyou)
'This' economic climate till be 3/4years old by the time I finish.
While I agree the degree itself may not be the most appealing to employers, I don't plan on getting a job with it. No matter what I plan on doing I will need to do a post-graduate course.
What degree would you recommend in 'this' economic climate then? -
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Re: History degree...is there any point?no that is simply not true. Yes Oxbridge and a small handfull of RG unis such as Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh top it, but it is better than, at worst, the middle-bottom half of the RG.(Original post by goussberry)
Lol thank you... Trinity College Dublin is not one of the best compared to the Russell Group unis (Oxbridge incl. in that)
Sadly it has been slipping in the last few years. It was QS had it at 43 in 2009. 2011 it was 63. Slimply because of the fees. I have a feeling a similar trend will begin to show among the Scottish universities for the same reason.
PS Russel group means nothing. Queens Belfast is on there for example and TCD would treat QUB like a new born spider monkey amongst the lions.
Yes, it features consistantly in the top 100 in the world.
The rich kid oxbirdge rejects would get sent there when they disgraced their family name by not getting into oxbridge, in other words, it was usually next in line after oxbridge when the entire island was in the union.
Teaching? you are joking? If I want to be a teaching a history degree is perfect. Last time I checked there is no such (reputable) degree called 'teaching' anyway, prehaps education is the one you are looking for?(Original post by Idrink2muchcoffee)
Why not do what you are going to have to do in a post graduate course as your undergrad degree? It would save you a lot of effort and time. I would suggest degrees like Accountancy, Finance, Medicine, Human Resources Management, Business Management, Law, Nursing, Computer Science, Teaching.
Law: a large number of lawyer actually have history degrees.
I spoke to an account and he told me he saw it as a bit of a waste doing an accountancy degree because when you get hired you end up going though th same sort of thing getting on the job training. His words no mine.
You remind me of me a couple of years ago. I thought a degree's title would be the resulting job. Accountcy = Accountant. Whereas a Maths degree = teaching and nothing else. I know now that is not the case whatsoever. A degree is basically training the mind. You get a wide range of transferable skills that allow for example a Maths graduate to excell above Accountancy graduates in that sector, and English graduates to excell above Law graduates etc. Its a rather narrow minded approach and clearly you don't know much about what you are talking about.
Other than the health related degrees, and Computer Science (I name it because I know nothing about it), you can enter basically every one of those career fields you listed without a degree dierctly related to that field.
An accountancy degree is fine for someone who wants to become an accountan( not saying all accountancy grads have no other option but become accountants btw), but what about someone who isn't sure. Maybe they might want to get into politics, other areas of business, teaching etc. Then a degree such as economics is better suited...Last edited by bestofyou; 19-04-2012 at 22:04.
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