[hawki1989]

I am in a bind atm...

Finished university - in American Studies - last year and also work part time at Sainsbury's doing nights! I have had no success with my degree in regards to finding work, so I was considering returning to university to get a degree with more direction and to train as something!

I was looking at Occupational Therapy - which is paid for by the NHS and I recieve a bursary to help out a little. The only problem being that it's another three years, meaning that I'll continue in part time work for at the very least another four (I'll be 27 at this point). The course has placements every year so by going on the course, I am committing myself to Sainsbury's for the unforseeable future - or at least some other kind of flexible, part time job.

There's a part of me that wonders if I am just prolonging the inevitable by trying to get back into university? I'd hate to finish as a qualified OT and still no be able to find work with a second degree!

Alternatively, I was thinking of maybe going back to college and picking up a few NVQs to at least get me out of Sainsburys nights (which I absolutely hate) but I'm not sure to what extent I am limiting myself for the future?

Any advice?

[marsman13]

I would say going back to university will give better prospects for you and the future.

[Inkerman]

American studies...

Seriously, what did you expect?

[M1011]

Why did you choose to do a degree in American Studies?

[hawki1989]

I originally did Psychology, History and American Studies because I wanted a variety of different subjects to learn and each year I dropped one. I enjoyed AS the most and really didn't think too much about what it would lead to for the future. It was a degree that would "open doors"! I think 18 is too young an age to be picking degrees and making thousands of pounds worth of decisions, looking back!

[M1011]

(Original post by hawki1989)
I originally did Psychology, History and American Studies because I wanted a variety of different subjects to learn and each year I dropped one. I enjoyed AS the most and really didn't think too much about what it would lead to for the future. It was a degree that would "open doors"! I think 18 is too young an age to be picking degrees and making thousands of pounds worth of decisions, looking back!

I think most 18 year old students would laugh in your face if you told them you were doing a degree in American Studies. No offence, I'm not saying they'd be right to do it, but it is clearly not going to be a degree that commands respect from employers. So I don't think it's fair to blame your youth for that decision!

Does the new degree automatically lead to a position within the NHS (as they are paying)? If so it may be worthwhile. If not then be careful to not waste another 3 years doing a degree that may not lead you anywhere either. Not that I'm saying it won't, I don't know anything about it, that's up to you to research!

Best of luck

[internet tough guy]

(Original post by M1011)
I think most 18 year old students would laugh in your face if you told them you were doing a degree in American Studies. No offence, I'm not saying they'd be right to do it, but it is clearly not going to be a degree that commands respect from employers. So I don't think it's fair to blame your youth for that decision!

Does the new degree automatically lead to a position within the NHS (as they are paying)? If so it may be worthwhile. If not then be careful to not waste another 3 years doing a degree that may not lead you anywhere either. Not that I'm saying it won't, I don't know anything about it, that's up to you to research!

Best of luck

For the generic graduate entry job out there that requires no specific degree, I can't see why American studies is of less use than say History, English or Geography

[M1011]

(Original post by internet tough guy)
For the generic graduate entry job out there that requires no specific degree, I can't see why American studies is of less use than say History, English or Geography

If two similar candidates walked into your office, one with a degree in American Studies and one with any of the aforementioned degrees, which would you hire? It's rhetorical as neither you nor I can objectively answer the question as we've both already set ourselves at opposite ends of the debate, but perhaps something to think about.

There are far less graduate jobs then graduates.

[FranticMind]

(Original post by M1011)
There are far less graduate jobs then graduates.

Specifically these 'general' graduate jobs.

[internet tough guy]

(Original post by M1011)
If two similar candidates walked into your office, one with a degree in American Studies and one with any of the aforementioned degrees, which would you hire? It's rhetorical as neither you nor I can objectively answer the question as we've both already set ourselves at opposite ends of the debate, but perhaps something to think about.

There are far less graduate jobs then graduates.

I have little idea about what a History or American studies degree involves, other than tons of essays perhaps. All I'm saying is that for the 'general' graduate job (requiring no specific degree) out there which probably makes up half of the graduate sector, I can't see why someone with a History degree would be favoured over another person with an American studies degree, both of those courses have virtually no relevance to the job at hand, other than offering vague transferable skills. If I had to guess, I'd say the actual interview performance on the day matters alot more than the difference between those two degrees.

[M1011]

(Original post by FranticMind)
Specifically these 'general' graduate jobs.

I'm not sure I follow. Are you agreeing with me?

[M1011]

(Original post by internet tough guy)
I have little idea about what a History or American studies degree involves, other than tons of essays perhaps. All I'm saying is that for the 'general' graduate job (requiring no specific degree) out there which probably makes up half of the graduate sector, I can't see why someone with a History degree would be favoured over another person with an American studies degree, both of those courses have virtually no relevance to the job at hand, other than offering vague transferable skills. If I had to guess, I'd say the actual interview performance on the day matters alot more than the difference between those two degrees.

I would argue one is considered a respectable and rigorous degree which reflects the calibre of the candidate, whereas the other is not. Again I'll make clear, this may not be true (I likewise don't know what an American Studies degree entails), but that is in my opinion on how people perceive it.

Is perception not all the more important when applying to 'general' graduate jobs where your degree is not relevant? Why should they value your degree if it isn't perceived as reflecting an able candidate? However I agree that for most graduate roles your experience, extra curriculars, test performance and interview are all equally or more important. However this is a competitive world and I don't think you can afford to be weak in any area if you want to get on a good graduate scheme, which is perhaps reflected by the OP.

[FranticMind]

(Original post by M1011)
I'm not sure I follow. Are you agreeing with me?

Yes you say there are more graduates than grad jobs.

I'm saying there are a lot more 'general' graduates than 'general' grad jobs.

[johndoranglasgow]

American studies... ever considered becoming a full-time American?

Seriously, don't take up an occupational therapy place unless you actually want to do it - the NHS bursary doesn't primarily exist because you need a second shot at uni.

[natalie claire]

Hi, just completely by random came across this i'm a second year OT student, the first (almost) 2 years have gone pretty quickly and in the whole have been enjoyable in particular the placements, we have a whole range of ages on our course from 18 up to 40's/50's with a number of people doing it as a second degree and a number of people also have part time jobs so you wouldn't be alone in your situation. From what i have heard there are jobs out there with a number of these being in role emerging jobs.
my best advice would be to try and get some work experience in your local hospital's OT department this will both allow you to see if OT is for you as well as giving you something for your CV if you decided to do an OT course.

(Original post by hawki1989)
I am in a bind atm...

Finished university - in American Studies - last year and also work part time at Sainsbury's doing nights! I have had no success with my degree in regards to finding work, so I was considering returning to university to get a degree with more direction and to train as something!

I was looking at Occupational Therapy - which is paid for by the NHS and I recieve a bursary to help out a little. The only problem being that it's another three years, meaning that I'll continue in part time work for at the very least another four (I'll be 27 at this point). The course has placements every year so by going on the course, I am committing myself to Sainsbury's for the unforseeable future - or at least some other kind of flexible, part time job.

There's a part of me that wonders if I am just prolonging the inevitable by trying to get back into university? I'd hate to finish as a qualified OT and still no be able to find work with a second degree!

Alternatively, I was thinking of maybe going back to college and picking up a few NVQs to at least get me out of Sainsburys nights (which I absolutely hate) but I'm not sure to what extent I am limiting myself for the future?

Any advice?

[~ Purple Rose ~]

Don't do it just for the sake of doing another degree. If you are serious about it, try and get some work experience to make sure it is for you, because that will be needed to apply. If you decide it's not for you, think about what you would like to do, maybe try doing different voluntary work to gain experience in different settings.

[Mbob]

(Original post by M1011)
I think most 18 year old students would laugh in your face if you told them you were doing a degree in American Studies.

But why would he care what an 18 year old thinks?

[Aspiringlawstudent]

(Original post by Mbob)
But why would he care what an 18 year old thinks?

He might not care what they say, but ultimately they've been proven to be correct.

[James1977]

If you have a passion for OT then do the OT degree but don't do it just because it attracts a bursary and will give you a more useful degree at the end of the course, because if you haven't the passion for the subject then its unlikely you'll finish the course.

[M1011]

(Original post by Mbob)
But why would he care what an 18 year old thinks?

Did you bother to read the thread before posting?

My point wasn't that he should care, nor indeed that they would be right. My point was blaming his youth for the decision seems a bit fishy given most 18 year olds already know enough to think American Studies isn't the way forward.

Thanks for your addition.