To those who got a 1st and have a job - was it worth it?
Scroll to see replies
I got a 1st and I have a job, and I would say it was worth it...I personally found university more enjoying than former education as yur more independent and have chosen a subject you like. The thing I would say is that it depends on what subject you choose and also your career aims, dont just go to university for the sack of it. Go because you have to in order to qualify to get to where you want. For example I studied psychology and i want to be a clinical psychologist, you cant become a clinical psychologist with doing a degree and you have to then later on do a phd.
I'm a third year and I'm on track to get a 2.1. If I put lot's of work in I could possibly get a 1st. If my dissertation ends up with a very high mark it could drag my grade over the boundary into 1st level.
I'm not being lazy, but I'm just plodding along the path to my 2.1. I don't want to run myself into the ground trying for a 'possible' 1st, when I could come out with a still respectable 2.1 grade a lot less stressed out.
If I'm honest, I would say practical experience in the field you want to go in to is more important than a high grade. My lecturers are always telling us that employers would prefer someone with a 2.1 and experience in the field over someone with a 1st and no experience.
Long story short: 1st's are great and those who achieve them should be proud, but make sure you've got some experience. I read some statistics the other day that stated one in five graduates now get a 1st; make sure you've got something to offer employers that sets you aside from everyone else.
I'm not being lazy, but I'm just plodding along the path to my 2.1. I don't want to run myself into the ground trying for a 'possible' 1st, when I could come out with a still respectable 2.1 grade a lot less stressed out.
If I'm honest, I would say practical experience in the field you want to go in to is more important than a high grade. My lecturers are always telling us that employers would prefer someone with a 2.1 and experience in the field over someone with a 1st and no experience.
Long story short: 1st's are great and those who achieve them should be proud, but make sure you've got some experience. I read some statistics the other day that stated one in five graduates now get a 1st; make sure you've got something to offer employers that sets you aside from everyone else.
Narrowly missed out on a first. Have been in good jobs ever since I graduated. Not getting a first hasn't harmed me at all - it was just annoying that I missed out by a tiny margin!
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
Both my children went to university and my son came out with a 1st. We were so proud and thought it would be just a matter of time before he landed his dream job but because he had no experience it was very difficult for him. It took another 2 years before he got a job that he really loved but he could've got that job without having a degree at all. He has debts and it will be a while before they are paid off.
We learned from this and then when my daughter did her A levels we didn't try to persuade her to go to uni, we helped her to look into different options. She did an apprenticeship with Fujitsu and in Business Administration and now she is earning much more than my son does and loves her job as well. The Company are putting her through her foundation degree in management and are willing to pay for her to do her degree part time with them as well. She won't have the debt that my son did which for her is great. They both love their jobs but I do feel that maybe I was partly responsible for my son feeling that he had to go to university in the first place as we put so much emphasis on getting the best grades that he could possibly get in order to get a good job.
I would say
We learned from this and then when my daughter did her A levels we didn't try to persuade her to go to uni, we helped her to look into different options. She did an apprenticeship with Fujitsu and in Business Administration and now she is earning much more than my son does and loves her job as well. The Company are putting her through her foundation degree in management and are willing to pay for her to do her degree part time with them as well. She won't have the debt that my son did which for her is great. They both love their jobs but I do feel that maybe I was partly responsible for my son feeling that he had to go to university in the first place as we put so much emphasis on getting the best grades that he could possibly get in order to get a good job.
I would say
Yes, having the 1st wasn't integral to me getting the job but working hard for the 1st meant I got the most out of my course and gave me self-confidence that I can always work at that level.
There wasn't really a downside as I enjoyed my time at uni socially anyway and made lots of good friendships. I expect if I'd spent less time working I would have just spent more time dossing about.
There wasn't really a downside as I enjoyed my time at uni socially anyway and made lots of good friendships. I expect if I'd spent less time working I would have just spent more time dossing about.
Original post by foxyred
Both my children went to university and my son came out with a 1st. We were so proud and thought it would be just a matter of time before he landed his dream job but because he had no experience it was very difficult for him. It took another 2 years before he got a job that he really loved but he could've got that job without having a degree at all. He has debts and it will be a while before they are paid off.
We learned from this and then when my daughter did her A levels we didn't try to persuade her to go to uni, we helped her to look into different options. She did an apprenticeship with Fujitsu and in Business Administration and now she is earning much more than my son does and loves her job as well. The Company are putting her through her foundation degree in management and are willing to pay for her to do her degree part time with them as well. She won't have the debt that my son did which for her is great. They both love their jobs but I do feel that maybe I was partly responsible for my son feeling that he had to go to university in the first place as we put so much emphasis on getting the best grades that he could possibly get in order to get a good job.
I would say
We learned from this and then when my daughter did her A levels we didn't try to persuade her to go to uni, we helped her to look into different options. She did an apprenticeship with Fujitsu and in Business Administration and now she is earning much more than my son does and loves her job as well. The Company are putting her through her foundation degree in management and are willing to pay for her to do her degree part time with them as well. She won't have the debt that my son did which for her is great. They both love their jobs but I do feel that maybe I was partly responsible for my son feeling that he had to go to university in the first place as we put so much emphasis on getting the best grades that he could possibly get in order to get a good job.
I would say
yes, there is an untold story here that schools/the government keep to themselves. The government love the idea of debt as it brings in taxes, but do students really need the debt. I know plenty of people who are very successful and never went to uni. They just have common sense and the same intelligence as a graduate only none of the graduates expectations,and many grads are over-qualified to fit in at the lower levels of organisations that require experience first, so being over educated probably sets unrealistic expectations all round.
Of course it is worth it... Due to my financial circumstances I had to work throughout my whole degree.. I made sure that for the last two years I had relevant experience, which made studying a lot easier as I did not only stay in the classroom and wrote essays but apply the skills.. I was working 40+ hours a week, alongside full time studying and got a 1st, so it is not impossible.. It's amazing training for postgraduate studying where you will most likely need to work and study... If I didn't have to work probably I would have achieved 80%+ overall as I would do is reading or be the top at the class and get all the prizes and awards, and now that would not have worth it? Why? Because the nice people who got the high marks and the awards and know all the theory has NO skills... They are just now going for jobs such as part time research assistants, support workers and healthcare assistants at the lowest bands e.g. 2 and with salaries of up to £15000... Myself, I have interviews for nearly EVERY job I applied for normally bands 4 -5 with Salary £21000-25000...
If it worth it getting a first will depend on what you want to do.. If you are after PhD, a first means you don't need Masters most of the time... Given the competition a lot of jobs will not consider people with less than upper 2:1...If you are after just a manual normal average job and do not really wish to progress into a specialist or academic position in your field, 1st is probably something that you will not achieve even if you try as you will lack the motivation...
People who say that you can do without university degree are again right.. I lot of people earn good money and never had degrees..However, that depends on what you want to do.. If you want to be manager, you don't need a degree, often work and experience plus professional training are enough, or if you want a building company etc you get my point... However, if you want to be a doctor, or a researcher, or a teacher... you have no chance without degree... so it is hard to give advice is it worth it or not if we have no clue what is that you wish to peruse as a career..
If it worth it getting a first will depend on what you want to do.. If you are after PhD, a first means you don't need Masters most of the time... Given the competition a lot of jobs will not consider people with less than upper 2:1...If you are after just a manual normal average job and do not really wish to progress into a specialist or academic position in your field, 1st is probably something that you will not achieve even if you try as you will lack the motivation...
People who say that you can do without university degree are again right.. I lot of people earn good money and never had degrees..However, that depends on what you want to do.. If you want to be manager, you don't need a degree, often work and experience plus professional training are enough, or if you want a building company etc you get my point... However, if you want to be a doctor, or a researcher, or a teacher... you have no chance without degree... so it is hard to give advice is it worth it or not if we have no clue what is that you wish to peruse as a career..
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by drucilla
Of course it is worth it... Due to my financial circumstances I had to work throughout my whole degree.. I made sure that for the last two years I had relevant experience, which made studying a lot easier as I did not only stay in the classroom and wrote essays but apply the skills.. I was working 40+ hours a week, alongside full time studying and got a 1st, so it is not impossible.. It's amazing training for postgraduate studying where you will most likely need to work and study... If I didn't have to work probably I would have achieved 80%+ overall as I would do is reading or be the top at the class and get all the prizes and awards, and now that would not have worth it? Why? Because the nice people who got the high marks and the awards and know all the theory has NO skills... They are just now going for jobs such as part time research assistants, support workers and healthcare assistants at the lowest bands e.g. 2 and with salaries of up to £15000... Myself, I have interviews for nearly EVERY job I applied for normally bands 4 -5 with Salary £21000-25000...
If it worth it getting a first will depend on what you want to do.. If you are after PhD, a first means you don't need Masters most of the time... Given the competition a lot of jobs will not consider people with less than upper 2:1...If you are after just a manual normal average job and do not really wish to progress into a specialist or academic position in your field, 1st is probably something that you will not achieve even if you try as you will lack the motivation...
People who say that you can do without university degree are again right.. I lot of people earn good money and never had degrees..However, that depends on what you want to do.. If you want to be manager, you don't need a degree, often work and experience plus professional training are enough, or if you want a building company etc you get my point... However, if you want to be a doctor, or a researcher, or a teacher... you have no chance without degree... so it is hard to give advice is it worth it or not if we have no clue what is that you wish to peruse as a career..
If it worth it getting a first will depend on what you want to do.. If you are after PhD, a first means you don't need Masters most of the time... Given the competition a lot of jobs will not consider people with less than upper 2:1...If you are after just a manual normal average job and do not really wish to progress into a specialist or academic position in your field, 1st is probably something that you will not achieve even if you try as you will lack the motivation...
People who say that you can do without university degree are again right.. I lot of people earn good money and never had degrees..However, that depends on what you want to do.. If you want to be manager, you don't need a degree, often work and experience plus professional training are enough, or if you want a building company etc you get my point... However, if you want to be a doctor, or a researcher, or a teacher... you have no chance without degree... so it is hard to give advice is it worth it or not if we have no clue what is that you wish to peruse as a career..
Good points-I agree, and congratz on yr first. I think it was the martial artist Bruce Lee who said "..all knowledge leads to self-knowledge.." if the emphasis is on gaining an understanding, not just knowing, then of course education is worth it.
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by TheMaster102
I got a 2:2 in computer science and I'm earning more than what 90% of graduates will earn for their starting job, even if they have firsts or masters.
I wish I never went to uni because it was a complete waste of time, employers didn't care about my degree at all once they saw my portfolio (I'm in the software/ app development business btw)
It made me realise I should have spent 3 years making MORE apps and software and maybe now I'd even be in a position where I wouldn't have to work as an employee but actually have my own business.
University is a great social experience, but that's about it in my opinion, of course this won't be true for everyone as you NEED a degree for some career paths, but for mine it was a waste of time and I wish I didn't bother.
I wish I never went to uni because it was a complete waste of time, employers didn't care about my degree at all once they saw my portfolio (I'm in the software/ app development business btw)
It made me realise I should have spent 3 years making MORE apps and software and maybe now I'd even be in a position where I wouldn't have to work as an employee but actually have my own business.
University is a great social experience, but that's about it in my opinion, of course this won't be true for everyone as you NEED a degree for some career paths, but for mine it was a waste of time and I wish I didn't bother.
Did you make apps while you were in uni or before you got to uni? Did you know how to make apps before you got to uni?
Original post by versari
Same here. I got a 2;1 and a prior Distinction in my HND but no one asks what I did to get them, they just want to see my portfolio (I'm an illustrator/Designer) Clients want to know what you will do for them not what you have done for yourself, and that's fair enough if they're paying you-the piper calls the tune...
What is an HND? What did you study in uni?
Original post by Ekemini
What is an HND? What did you study in uni?
An HND is a Higher National Diploma, which in my case meant four years study. If you pass it at distinction like I did you only need do the final year of a degree which is what I did. I'd already been working professionally for some years when I became interested in the idea of lecturing at Higher Education which required a Degree, so I got one
Although my HND was in Illustration I did my degree in Fine Art which is a more conceptual subject. To be honest it was a walk in the park, and I helped the uni by lecturing some of their classes in illustration while I finished off my degree. I was pretty shocked that the lecturers on that subject couldn't really draw, but then again I was always a kind of drawing-prodigy so it's not really their fault I suppose.
Original post by drucilla
.
Holy crap, 40+ hours a week alongside a degree!? Hats off to you! Congrats on your degree and your job offers...
Brings things into perspective for me.
Original post by ChaoticButterfly
I can't apply to my local aldi anymore since it is just apprentices now. Grads can;t do apprentices 
Oh well, means i have an excuse not to have to work for £2 an hour if I ever get my act together and get back on JSA.
Oh well, means i have an excuse not to have to work for £2 an hour if I ever get my act together and get back on JSA.
You know you don't have to tell them you've got a degree right?
Getting a First nowadays doesn't mean anything. For most universities it is the average classification.
Original post by youarefoolish
Getting a First nowadays doesn't mean anything. For most universities it is the average classification.
The average classification is a 2:1 for most universities.
Posted from TSR Mobile
I don't think it is just a question of your degree anymore. I know at least three people with 1:1 who are working in pubs because they are struggling to get an office job, even after a full year. I think what is important is being part of societies and having roles within the university as well as work experience. Employers want to see you've been in a position of responsibility and you can work with other people. If your CV just says you have a load of certificates then you are an unknown quantity and an unnecessary risk for employers.
Yep, when too many people have a degree its only natural that employers are going to take other things into account such as started work at 14 in local pet shop...learned xyz while there, set up/did this or that...showed initiative and so on.
There are lots of kids from privileged backgrounds getting private tutoring, and relying on the bank of mum and dad who think a degree will be their passport to riches but who hate getting their hands dirty and don't really achieve their potential despite the investment.
There are lots of kids from privileged backgrounds getting private tutoring, and relying on the bank of mum and dad who think a degree will be their passport to riches but who hate getting their hands dirty and don't really achieve their potential despite the investment.
(edited 8 years ago)
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- I got a 2:2 :'(
- Is my degree unusually difficult or am I bust?
- What uni should i go?
- UNIQ+ Graduate Scheme 2024
- Junior IT role/job
- 2:1 undergrad with (presumably 1st) masters or 1st integrated masters?
- how difficult is it to get a job after LPC in London
- something you wish youknew about?
- Which uni will lead to better graduate prospects
- Applying at Oxford, Cambridge and Russells group
- Finished my degree but I have no clue what I want to do with my life
- Do my A-levels again for the third time or go through clearing?
- clinical psychology
- How many people get 2:1s and better?
- how hard is it to get engineering job
- Why is a 2:1 'good' when it's technically average?
- AI or Cyber Security in University
- How do I find a job as a uni student
- Postgrad at a Russel group or resit? (Need advice ASAP)
- Worried about future
Latest
Trending
Last reply 3 weeks ago
Got a third in my second year and the highest I’ve achieved in third year was 55%Trending
Last reply 3 weeks ago
Got a third in my second year and the highest I’ve achieved in third year was 55%
