not sure if i like my degree that much anymore - need some advice

Hey, so I'm doing a degree in Software Engineering, however, partly due to talk of how bad the job market is and partly because i realise i have different interests now, I'm not sure if I'd like to stay in the field after University.

So, first things first, the things ive seen on places like reddit really scare me of people not finding jobs for ages and how most of those are comp sci grads and it kinda made me think that maybe im doing the wrong degree? like, when i picked it i had an interest in it, and i still do but at the time it was between software or accounting and finance or something so now idk :frown:

And another thing, I've realised that to be honest, I really just enjoy helping people, and tbh I've kinda always wanted to work in the NHS in some capacity - is it out of the question for me to start in a clerical role or admin or something in Band 2 and work my way up? Will having my degree stop me from doing something like that?

Also, my dad says that if I wanted to get into accounting or something, that Accounting and Finance degrees are given preference when it comes to jobs - how true is this?

In terms of work experience, I've really only ever done tutoring and I helped set up some concerts like in 2022 when i was in sixth form, for a local community centre - does this stuff make me look lazy / bad in any way? Is my experience (or lack thereof?) underwhelming for someone that is in university? I'm just super worried atm that I wont be able to get anything and I'd have to go on UC pr something, and the thought of ending up like that - compared to people i know, like a failure and making my parents disappointed after they worked so hard for me and everything, has really made it hard for me recently.

What exactly do I put on my cv if I'm going for entry level roles unrelated to my degree? Is my degree one of those super specific ones that don't lead to many OTHER job opportunities? Do i do a skills related one or? because atm ive just got the grades and that little bit of work experience so idk how good my cv is or how good it has to be?

All this uncertainty I have has tbh made me close to tears for a couple months now, and i still like the degree content so idk why i am like this - i assume continuing and finishing the degree would still be good right?

thanks for reading, any advice or anything is super appreciated :smile:

Reply 1

Ccreds

Lots of questions to answer in your post but in reality only one clear route.

Now is the time not to fall back into entry level roles especially in an exploitation machine like the NHS, plenty of time to do this in your 30s when things get even harder and at that point in time it might be that you need a degree just to get interviews for the sort of stuff no one wants to touch now. If you really want to help people then get into software and go and work on the NHS IT infra.

Otherwise, do some market research on trends (remember that trends are friends) and then go onto Claude (AI) and enter in your problem as much detail about you and your personality type traits as you can find out and ask it for career recommendations based on your exp, it can also help you think about your skills and background in more structured ways (you’ll have forgotten something good for sure). It’ll be able to give you some nuanced pointers and then follow them up with more research.

Don’t give up and take the easier ways out - go out there and fight hard. With the level of competition nowadays chances are you’ll struggle to get support later and will lose the key development period of your life.

Things are only getting harder, if you cut development or further learning options now you’ll be making challenges for later for sure. Also try apprentichips which pay for degrees.

Reply 2

Al3x235

Original post by Ccreds

Lots of questions to answer in your post but in reality only one clear route.
Now is the time not to fall back into entry level roles especially in an exploitation machine like the NHS, plenty of time to do this in your 30s when things get even harder and at that point in time it might be that you need a degree just to get interviews for the sort of stuff no one wants to touch now. If you really want to help people then get into software and go and work on the NHS IT infra.
Otherwise, do some market research on trends (remember that trends are friends) and then go onto Claude (AI) and enter in your problem as much detail about you and your personality type traits as you can find out and ask it for career recommendations based on your exp, it can also help you think about your skills and background in more structured ways (you’ll have forgotten something good for sure). It’ll be able to give you some nuanced pointers and then follow them up with more research.
Don’t give up and take the easier ways out - go out there and fight hard. With the level of competition nowadays chances are you’ll struggle to get support later and will lose the key development period of your life.
Things are only getting harder, if you cut development or further learning options now you’ll be making challenges for later for sure. Also try apprentichips which pay for degrees.

hey thanks so much!! yea, i really shouldnt be targeting the entry roles, i was just super insecure lately about everything

i do intend to finish the degree, i was just wondering whether it realistically would limit me to just software dev roles - not really sure atm whether i do really want to go into that, so i figured id just get in somewhere and then work up from there idk

thanks so much tho theres a lot to think about for sure!!

Reply 3

Ccreds

Original post by Al3x235

hey thanks so much!! yea, i really shouldnt be targeting the entry roles, i was just super insecure lately about everything
i do intend to finish the degree, i was just wondering whether it realistically would limit me to just software dev roles - not really sure atm whether i do really want to go into that, so i figured id just get in somewhere and then work up from there idk
thanks so much tho theres a lot to think about for sure!!

Bizarrely by being more aggressive with you development now will lessen the feeling of insecurity that’ll often come up when your older. So give this a go…does the degree make you think critically and is it teaching you to think in fun ways? I.e. when you code are you just churning like a chimp at a keyboard or does it make you see the world differently?

If it does then finish it off and skill up on soft, data analysis and business analysis skills outside of uni and remember to always opt for on trend langauages or at least families so that it is easy to reskill quickly. No point being in love with Java and finding all the new jobs are back in C. Also is something too niche. Stay broader now then specialise when you are older, all you need now is low debt and, this is then important bit, at least a 2:1. Get any less and you might as well go and join the infantry. 2:1 + is essential key to quality diverse roles and better masters programmes.

And ask Claude their opinion.

(edited 3 months ago)