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My mate hasn't got a degree, yet he's just got a job earning £18,000 p/a....WTF!!?

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Original post by TheEnigmaUK
It makes me feel like what's the point of considering University, especially when he's earning that as a starting salary in the job. As far as I know, it's an Admin type assistant job, which his sister referred him to at her law firm in London. Maybe it is "who you know" and not "what you know" because he's seem to have done okay out of it. He used to work in a Factory doing different duties, from office work to helping in the main factory lifting/carrying/manufacturing etc.

I know he's a single case, but is it even worth getting into debt and going Uni these days? Especially when people can earn £18,000 starting salary in a job like that.
To be fair though, he is 24 years old working in an admin assistant job, but at the end of the day he's earning a decent salary, which could increase. He hasn't even got a degree, he was just working at the same place for a few years before his sister referred him to his new job.

I feel like c**p, because I'm 23 and considering going back into education for 4 more years, yet he's earning a decent salary without a degree or much college study.

What do you think..?


£18,000 isn't anywhere as much as you're thinking it is. I'm on £32k (in a career I couldn't have got into without my degree btw), live alone, very cautious with my money (e.g. don't go shopping very often, make my lunch every day rather than buy it etc), and yet I struggle to get by sometimes - between rent/mortgage, bills, travel, petrol and every day living expenses, esp in London, £18k won't stretch far at all.

Of course, this all assume you're not living with your parents - if you are, £18k probably isn't too bad in the short term.
hah, a guy I know is 19 and on £19k a year. I'm 25, have a masters and a first class degree from UCL in Biology, doing a job that DOES require an MSc/Mres/Mwhatever or (increasingly) a phd, and I'm barely paid more than him (when you calculate loan repayments it's probably very close indeed).

At 21 those who left school at 16-18 averaged higher wages with afaik lower rates of unemployment. At 25 the graduates have closed the gap and started to get ahead. By thirty, if my sister is anything to go by, graduates are typically doing a lot better than non-graduates.
Reply 102
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sd308
Original post by TheEnigmaUK
It makes me feel like what's the point of considering University, especially when he's earning that as a starting salary in the job. As far as I know, it's an Admin type assistant job, which his sister referred him to at her law firm in London. Maybe it is "who you know" and not "what you know" because he's seem to have done okay out of it. He used to work in a Factory doing different duties, from office work to helping in the main factory lifting/carrying/manufacturing etc.

I know he's a single case, but is it even worth getting into debt and going Uni these days? Especially when people can earn £18,000 starting salary in a job like that.
To be fair though, he is 24 years old working in an admin assistant job, but at the end of the day he's earning a decent salary, which could increase. He hasn't even got a degree, he was just working at the same place for a few years before his sister referred him to his new job.

I feel like c**p, because I'm 23 and considering going back into education for 4 more years, yet he's earning a decent salary without a degree or much college study.

What do you think..?



What I think - first of all I agree with previous posters who have said £18000 at 24 in London is not a great or enviable salary. London is ridiculously expensive to live, but even in other parts of the country £18000 does not afford a life of luxury. Secondly I think that people who go to uni solely for the purpose of furthering their career have lost sight of the real reason to get into higher education - which is to pursue and develop and advanced knowledge of a subject they love. Career prospects are of course important, but doing a degree for the sake of it will never be a fulfilling experience.

Finally I will say that having a degree is still the key to access a vast array of careers that would never be open to you otherwise. Sure, degree or not, you are going to have to work your ass off to move up the ladder, but a degree usually gets your there quicker. I am 21 and been give a place on a grad job for £27k. Without my degree this amazing opportunity would not have been possible. But it would also have not been possible without a lot of other things: extensive work experience, volunteering, extra-curriculars, proof I get involved and make the most of oppportunities. A degree just ticks the eligibility criteria, the rest is up to you if you want one of the rare but brilliant grad jobs.

So yes - definitely do a degree - but do not expect that to guarantee you a fantastic job. You still gotta put the work in.
Original post by crazybored
£18,000 isn't anywhere as much as you're thinking it is. I'm on £32k (in a career I couldn't have got into without my degree btw), live alone, very cautious with my money (e.g. don't go shopping very often, make my lunch every day rather than buy it etc), and yet I struggle to get by sometimes - between rent/mortgage, bills, travel, petrol and every day living expenses, esp in London, £18k won't stretch far at all.

Of course, this all assume you're not living with your parents - if you are, £18k probably isn't too bad in the short term.


are you serious? I knew London was expensive but holy pancakes thats mad
if you look at the England football team most of them cannot read or write ( or score penalties ) but are paid like a million pounds a month...
Original post by clad in armour
are you serious? I knew London was expensive but holy pancakes thats mad


You have to remember that once you take taxes, NI contributions and student loan repayments into account, your wage is always substantially less than you imagine it to be.

My £32k is actually about £23k in actual 'money in the bank' terms.

Plus, yes, London is bloody expensive.
Reply 106
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Frazeled
I know people who work for the council picking up rubbish who earn that and more ! Why an earth do you think that £18 grand is a good wage for someone who hasnt been to uni , belive it or not going to uni an doesnt make you clever or more liable to get a decent wage! Work hard and show that you have a passion for yourjob aNd then you can climb the ladder and get a decent wage, look at richard branson he doesnt have any gcses and youd be suprised how many other top business men dont either and going to some unis at the bottom of the leauge does your cv more harm than good as everyone knows there micky mouse degrees.
Reply 107
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jus2sik
14
Original post by FatCharlie
Oh, angry because I were making more money than you?


lol naw i thought i was being funny
actually i think you should focus more on yourself rather than what your mates have achieved..what you WANT to do...
Reply 109
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Sharri5
The best jobs are in America. My friend knows a Brit that went to uni in America on a full scholarship and now had a job waiting for him at a bulge bank in NYC. There is no innovative spirit in the UK. Look at venture for America for an example
Reply 110
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Fari01
Well I know someone who did a degree in biology and couldn't get a decent paying job with this rubbish economy situation. He was depressed and kept moaning about his life. When he realised what a loser he was being he got his act together went back to uni did a more specialist degree in podiatry and a couple of years forward he has a successful clinic providing podiatry, physio, etc at one end and hair and beauty spa treatments at the other side of his clinic! Now he is on a huge salary better than consultant docs at the age of 31! Not only that he is back at uni training to become a podiatric surgeon and if successful in that he will have a consultant post at probably 97,000 a year not including his clinic work!

Moral of the story is don't let things bring you down stay positive and work hard it will pay off in the end. Also people should take more care in choosing what degree they study and what the career they are getting into is like in terms of progression and different options.

Hopefully when I graduate the second time round I know who will give me a job in his clinic......... Well hopefully!

I also believe grades can only take you so far! For me personally it is who you know in this day and age because nearly everyone has a degree! Employers look for other skills other than intelligence!
Reply 111
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M1011
19
Original post by Fari01
I also believe grades can only take you so far! For me personally it is who you know in this day and age because nearly everyone has a degree! Employers look for other skills other than intelligence!


The fact that 'nearly everyone has a degree' is simply proof that one doesn't need intelligence to get a degree. Employers are most certainly still looking for intelligent people, it's just that many degrees don't show that any more.
Reply 112
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Fari01
Original post by M1011
The fact that 'nearly everyone has a degree' is simply proof that one doesn't need intelligence to get a degree. Employers are most certainly still looking for intelligent people, it's just that many degrees don't show that any more.


Agree and also common sense! How many people do u know that are A grade but have less common sense that a 5 year old?
Reply 113
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Liam_W_
Original post by Fari01
Agree and also common sense! How many people do u know that are A grade but have less common sense that a 5 year old?


I agree with this so much, yet I despair sometimes as I wonder that this fact will be overlooked.
Lol.... I was 18 earing 17k a year, now im 19 and off to uni..... Be wise, get educated...
18k p/a for a job in london isn't a lot of money. But yes. You can earn perfectly good money without a degree.
Original post by crazybored
£18,000 isn't anywhere as much as you're thinking it is. I'm on £32k (in a career I couldn't have got into without my degree btw), live alone, very cautious with my money (e.g. don't go shopping very often, make my lunch every day rather than buy it etc), and yet I struggle to get by sometimes - between rent/mortgage, bills, travel, petrol and every day living expenses, esp in London, £18k won't stretch far at all.

Of course, this all assume you're not living with your parents - if you are, £18k probably isn't too bad in the short term.


Your rent must be a fortune. My parents household income isn't even £32k and we never wanted for anything and went on holidays abroad every year etc.
I claim more in benefits..and i have degree in media studies and a masters in sociology from the university of Bolton, life sucks
is £1500 a month really that much? He will have less job security, and less chance of progression than holding a degree.
My first job was 29k at 19 with no degree :colondollar:

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