Over-educated
A lot of my peers at the moment are claiming they are being turned down for jobs as they are "over-qualified". Its regretful but they don't seem to realise that they need to present themselves and gain experience building the skills employers value.
One of my good friends is going back to University to a second degree after having a year out travelling. I'm no expert but he is not in my view becoming more "qualified" - if we are defining qualified to be applicable/to be skilled/licensed to do a job. I know University isn't just about getting a job...but he is marely becoming more educated and over-educated as well.
I did say to him...dude you have one degree and you've just been travelling. you are 24 now. If you go back and do another degree do you realise you are going to be 27 or 28 before you apply for your first salary/proper job?
His answer was he was over-qualifed to do what's avalible now and he will look far more attractive with two degrees and job market will have picked up in 3 years as well?!?!?!??!
I don't doubt that two degrees will look more attractive - but in my view he is only over-educating himself. Not making himself more qualified.
Whatever though he is my mate and hope it works out for him!
I do though think young people today need to expect that for now their degree may not be that valued and the answer is not to go back and educate yourself even further just to kill another 3 years and line the pockets of another university with £27000
One of my good friends is going back to University to a second degree after having a year out travelling. I'm no expert but he is not in my view becoming more "qualified" - if we are defining qualified to be applicable/to be skilled/licensed to do a job. I know University isn't just about getting a job...but he is marely becoming more educated and over-educated as well.
I did say to him...dude you have one degree and you've just been travelling. you are 24 now. If you go back and do another degree do you realise you are going to be 27 or 28 before you apply for your first salary/proper job?
His answer was he was over-qualifed to do what's avalible now and he will look far more attractive with two degrees and job market will have picked up in 3 years as well?!?!?!??!
I don't doubt that two degrees will look more attractive - but in my view he is only over-educating himself. Not making himself more qualified.
Whatever though he is my mate and hope it works out for him!
I do though think young people today need to expect that for now their degree may not be that valued and the answer is not to go back and educate yourself even further just to kill another 3 years and line the pockets of another university with £27000
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what degree does he have and what one is he doing/ planning on doing?
Original post by Ambrosia_angel
what degree does he have and what one is he doing/ planning on doing?
Currently has a degree in Psychology and is considering a Humanites degree if he goes back.
Two broad undergraduate degrees won't help with employability at all. I very much agree that university is not just about getting a job and also about wider learning, but by 24 you really need to stop that and start practically thinking about careers. Unless he is doing another degree to change career directions, which is does not sound like he is doing, or to add to his Psychology qualification by specialising in something then going back to uni is useless. Plus, how on earth is he managing to afford another degree as SFE won't fund it? Must be loaded.
Plus, how on earth is he managing to afford another degree as SFE won't fund it? Must be loaded.
Has just been left about 50k in a trust fund yes!
Original post by Black Cat
What makes him think that he's overqualified? These days you got people with masters working menial jobs.
Just to flip the coin: I've been turned down (with just an undergraduate degree) for 'menial jobs' and actually told, directly: 'what's the point in you working for us, when you're well-educated? Let's leave it there and you can go and make use of your degree'.
Original post by Freudian Slip
Just to flip the coin: I've been turned down (with just an undergraduate degree) for 'menial jobs' and actually told, directly: 'what's the point in you working for us, when you're well-educated? Let's leave it there and you can go and make use of your degree'.
That is a good decision on their part if the company/business is looking for long term staff there not going to hire someone that would leave on a drop of a hat.
Original post by Black Cat
That is a good decision on their part if the company/business is looking for long term staff there not going to hire someone that would leave on a drop of a hat.
Whilst I can understand their logic and don't blame them, I think it's also just a tad judgemental. I've been told now, in more interviews than I can count, to: 'go and be a teacher'. I... wut? If I'd wanted to do that, I'd have trained accordingly; I apply for positions I have a desire to pursue, not to simply fill time.
Original post by Freudian Slip
Whilst I can understand their logic and don't blame them, I think it's also just a tad judgemental. I've been told now, in more interviews than I can count, to: 'go and be a teacher'. I... wut? If I'd wanted to do that, I'd have trained accordingly; I apply for positions I have a desire to pursue, not to simply fill time.
Whoever interviewed you and said that is ignorant and judgmental, however you were probably not the type person they were looking for. It is assumed that most undergraduates will only for short periods and then leave as soon as something better pops up. I suppose he couldn't be bothered to hire you and just sent you on your way to apply for something else. Tough luck but these are the typical biased views they have on us undergraduates.
(edited 9 years ago)
Let's leave it there and you can go and make use of your degree'. 
If the company said will hire you if you guarentee you'll stay for a year would you?
What makes him think that he's overqualified?
Exactly Black Cat!
As said - I think "over-educated" is more appropiate!
Tough luck but these are the typical biased views they have on us undergraduates.
On this note i am actually more angry with the education system conning most young people that go to uni do any degree and you'll have offers left, right and centre than I am with the companies not wanting to employ undergrads. A lot of people now seem to be in limbo...there is no demand for a grad role relevant to their degree and there is no demand for them in low skilled jobs as they are viewed to be over-educated and only applying for it as a stop-gap
He might be 'over educated' be he doesn't sound very smart. Blowing his inheritance on a pointless second degree is a complete waste of money. He can afford not to work for the moment so why doesn't he do some unpaid internships and get some experience?
Original post by Daftpunker
A lot of my peers at the moment are claiming they are being turned down for jobs as they are "over-qualified". Its regretful but they don't seem to realise that they need to present themselves and gain experience building the skills employers value.
One of my good friends is going back to University to a second degree after having a year out travelling. I'm no expert but he is not in my view becoming more "qualified" - if we are defining qualified to be applicable/to be skilled/licensed to do a job. I know University isn't just about getting a job...but he is marely becoming more educated and over-educated as well.
I did say to him...dude you have one degree and you've just been travelling. you are 24 now. If you go back and do another degree do you realise you are going to be 27 or 28 before you apply for your first salary/proper job?
His answer was he was over-qualifed to do what's avalible now and he will look far more attractive with two degrees and job market will have picked up in 3 years as well?!?!?!??!
I don't doubt that two degrees will look more attractive - but in my view he is only over-educating himself. Not making himself more qualified.
Whatever though he is my mate and hope it works out for him!
I do though think young people today need to expect that for now their degree may not be that valued and the answer is not to go back and educate yourself even further just to kill another 3 years and line the pockets of another university with £27000
One of my good friends is going back to University to a second degree after having a year out travelling. I'm no expert but he is not in my view becoming more "qualified" - if we are defining qualified to be applicable/to be skilled/licensed to do a job. I know University isn't just about getting a job...but he is marely becoming more educated and over-educated as well.
I did say to him...dude you have one degree and you've just been travelling. you are 24 now. If you go back and do another degree do you realise you are going to be 27 or 28 before you apply for your first salary/proper job?
His answer was he was over-qualifed to do what's avalible now and he will look far more attractive with two degrees and job market will have picked up in 3 years as well?!?!?!??!
I don't doubt that two degrees will look more attractive - but in my view he is only over-educating himself. Not making himself more qualified.
Whatever though he is my mate and hope it works out for him!
I do though think young people today need to expect that for now their degree may not be that valued and the answer is not to go back and educate yourself even further just to kill another 3 years and line the pockets of another university with £27000
Think about it, what interviewer is seriously going to hire someone that is going to be better at the job than he is. You'd make him look bad! No chance, buddy.
There is a difference between being over qualified and over educated.
Over qualified is when you have a mechanical engineer with PhD in nuclear reactors and then applies for a cashier job at groceries store.
Over educated is I supposed when you have a person with two bachelors (uncommon) or two masters (very common) degrees.
It will be difficult to get accepted in jobs that you're over qualified for... like when you have that PhD degree and ask for cashier job... they might hire you at minimum wage... but you're not their targeted staff and they know someone with such qualification is not going to work with them long. So if they have to train their new employees, then they would rather not bother with you because eventually you're going to leave. It is expected for someone with such speciality to apply for job in his field... not necessarily in say power plant, but whatever field that revolve around his specialisation.
However having two bachelor degrees is a completely different thing. The difference is that both degrees are broad... so you can actually apply to entry level jobs at two different fields. the other degree would be completely meaningless and has no influence on the decision for the job being applied for.
Over qualified is when you have a mechanical engineer with PhD in nuclear reactors and then applies for a cashier job at groceries store.
Over educated is I supposed when you have a person with two bachelors (uncommon) or two masters (very common) degrees.
It will be difficult to get accepted in jobs that you're over qualified for... like when you have that PhD degree and ask for cashier job... they might hire you at minimum wage... but you're not their targeted staff and they know someone with such qualification is not going to work with them long. So if they have to train their new employees, then they would rather not bother with you because eventually you're going to leave. It is expected for someone with such speciality to apply for job in his field... not necessarily in say power plant, but whatever field that revolve around his specialisation.
However having two bachelor degrees is a completely different thing. The difference is that both degrees are broad... so you can actually apply to entry level jobs at two different fields. the other degree would be completely meaningless and has no influence on the decision for the job being applied for.
(edited 9 years ago)
Over educated is I supposed when you have a person with two bachelors (uncommon) or two masters (very common) degrees.
You will forgive me but for some people having one bachelors for me makes them over-educated.
Original post by Daftpunker
You will forgive me but for some people having one bachelors for me makes them over-educated.
they can consider themselves to be over educated... however what really matter is what the potential employers.
One can always not state on their resume that they have 2 degrees 
Might just improve their chances of employment.
It is extremely rare that it is ever useful to have 2 undergraduate degrees. If you are not gaining any jobs with your 1 undergraduate degree then either you've done a mickey mouse degree or one in a soft subject.
Beyond a STEM + Law there are actually very few other combinations of dual degrees that would be useful for you. Even STEM+Law may not always be a smart choice if you are planning to live indefinitely in UK as a GDL would open the same doors for you. Only time it could be useful is if you are intending to live in a country that doesn't recognize the UK GDL as an entry to the legal profession.
You are generally better off looking for ANY job that will take you with your degree, do a few years there and then later pursue a Masters in a field that is off interest to you.
Might just improve their chances of employment. It is extremely rare that it is ever useful to have 2 undergraduate degrees. If you are not gaining any jobs with your 1 undergraduate degree then either you've done a mickey mouse degree or one in a soft subject.
Beyond a STEM + Law there are actually very few other combinations of dual degrees that would be useful for you. Even STEM+Law may not always be a smart choice if you are planning to live indefinitely in UK as a GDL would open the same doors for you. Only time it could be useful is if you are intending to live in a country that doesn't recognize the UK GDL as an entry to the legal profession.
You are generally better off looking for ANY job that will take you with your degree, do a few years there and then later pursue a Masters in a field that is off interest to you.
Original post by Daftpunker
A lot of my peers at the moment are claiming they are being turned down for jobs as they are "over-qualified". Its regretful but they don't seem to realise that they need to present themselves and gain experience building the skills employers value.
One of my good friends is going back to University to a second degree after having a year out travelling. I'm no expert but he is not in my view becoming more "qualified" - if we are defining qualified to be applicable/to be skilled/licensed to do a job. I know University isn't just about getting a job...but he is marely becoming more educated and over-educated as well.
I did say to him...dude you have one degree and you've just been travelling. you are 24 now. If you go back and do another degree do you realise you are going to be 27 or 28 before you apply for your first salary/proper job?
His answer was he was over-qualifed to do what's avalible now and he will look far more attractive with two degrees and job market will have picked up in 3 years as well?!?!?!??!
I don't doubt that two degrees will look more attractive - but in my view he is only over-educating himself. Not making himself more qualified.
Whatever though he is my mate and hope it works out for him!
I do though think young people today need to expect that for now their degree may not be that valued and the answer is not to go back and educate yourself even further just to kill another 3 years and line the pockets of another university with £27000
One of my good friends is going back to University to a second degree after having a year out travelling. I'm no expert but he is not in my view becoming more "qualified" - if we are defining qualified to be applicable/to be skilled/licensed to do a job. I know University isn't just about getting a job...but he is marely becoming more educated and over-educated as well.
I did say to him...dude you have one degree and you've just been travelling. you are 24 now. If you go back and do another degree do you realise you are going to be 27 or 28 before you apply for your first salary/proper job?
His answer was he was over-qualifed to do what's avalible now and he will look far more attractive with two degrees and job market will have picked up in 3 years as well?!?!?!??!
I don't doubt that two degrees will look more attractive - but in my view he is only over-educating himself. Not making himself more qualified.
Whatever though he is my mate and hope it works out for him!
I do though think young people today need to expect that for now their degree may not be that valued and the answer is not to go back and educate yourself even further just to kill another 3 years and line the pockets of another university with £27000
In general i do see that this is more commonplace but it's related to the fact that many students are arrogant prats who never thought to get a part time job and accompanying stunning reference showing that they have real job skills in addition to their piece of paper.
With regards to your friend, that seems a poor choice. With the second degree being even broader than the first it would be far more advantageous for him to do a Masters.
The more amounts of knowledge we grasp the better. Well, in my opinion.
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