I graduated with a 1st in English back in 2003. Before completing my degree I never had a problem finding employment, but I always wanted a degree, so I studied part-time whilst working full-time. I never set out or expected to get a first, but I enjoyed my course and was over the moon when I was awarded a first. I never earned a great salary even after graduating. Even so, everything was more or less fine for me until the recession hit back in 2008/9. I was renting at the time but subsidising my rent using interest on savings. When interest rates collapsed my 'rent subsidy' disappeared and it became impossible for me to afford to rent long-term in the area I was working in, unless I started to dip deep into my savings. So, I left my job and moved to a cheaper area, thinking that I would be 'snapped up' by a local employer due to my good qualifications and work experience. I was wrong. Since 2008 I've found it impossible to get employers to notice me at all. I can't get through to interview stage. My savings began to dwindle anyway, and so in response I set up my own business, but my combined income from eeking out my savings and self-employment only just prevents me from having to sign on.
I always state I have a first class degree on my CV, because logic suggests that showcasing achievements is a good thing, but I have been thinking lately that it might be a good idea to leave my degree classification off my CV, and just state I have a degree. It's impossible for me to omit mentioning my degree altogether on my CV because my current self-employment relies on my graduate status to win work.
I sometimes wonder whether my first class degree classification puts people off when they read my CV.
If I was younger, I'd definitely think about working abroad, in a working culture that appreciates academic achievement more.
The big question to ask, however, is what is the point of having a degree honours classification system at all, if those who get the best grades face discrimination simply because they possess the best grades? It's a fair question to ask. It would be interesting to find out what emotions are triggered in employers when they read that someone has a first. Nevertheless, it's a strange culture we live in here in the UK if those who achieve the best grades have to go to some lengths to hide them, just to find work.
I am hoping there will be a culture change in the UK soon.