How many of you...

[maviczap]

Well a tale of 3 of my family

My sister went to Uni, got her degree, never used it in anger in any job she had, had 3 kids and that was that. Best she did was researching the feasibility of growing palm trees in Scotland. Complete waste of time & money IMHO

My other sister, failed at school joined the army, left joined a council as transport manager, joined NHS doing very well as a project manager in different hospitals

Brother didn't do that well at school, but went to college leant stuff about electronics, joined BT did different jobs, but found his way into IT and software, doing well for himself.

I was too interested in stuff outside school at the time of my exams, but I've done ok and I've learnt languages since leaving school, proving to myself that I would have been better off doing my exams when I was over 40!

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by Owenski

+0.5

Im doing the Civil Engineering BSc but nothing on the course actually relates to the work I do day in day out.
2 Reasons for me completing it are:
1 - I dont pay for it.
2 - I cant get much higher than I am right now without it.

Yes I could work without it and still work my way up over time but that doesnt get you the money. I need to Qual in order to get into the right interviews these interviews will be the ones which jack my salary substantionally.

Im also in the process of becoming incorporated, meaning I'll be profeshionally recognised. Its one step below chartered and another fine looking gold star on my CV.

Unless its skilled labour or you're self employed then its all about the paper, gold stars get you the green quicker.

Saying that though, most with a qualification will likely say its essential, those without will argue they're doing just fine without.

I agree with you on this Matt, and what YC said. My degree was very remotely related to what happens in practice (hence why one lecturer loved marking a couple of us down for giving the correct in practice answer).

Matt you not needing a MSc to become Chartered?
and you've reminded me on to pay my Professional Competence fees

[Bibio]

dont really have any qualifications unless an HND networking/Cisco and a few Microsoft/linux server certs count.

i don't have a CV and have never ever handed one out. being in the soft furnishings trade for a good few years i knew that with my experience i could walk into high street retailers and be offered a job there and then. i have done and landed a department managers job on the spot twice . if i were to do it nowadays though i would probably be laughed out the shop

Originally Posted by missyorkie_chris

... are making use (in your current career choice) of a major degree/qualification you have gained and spent much time, effort and money working for?

Just out of interest.

I'm using lots of my degree... but then I did an industry attached degree.

Originally Posted by andrewsmith

I agree with you on this Matt, and what YC said. My degree was very remotely related to what happens in practice (hence why one lecturer loved marking a couple of us down for giving the correct in practice answer).

Matt you not needing a MSc to become Chartered?
and you've reminded me on to pay my Professional Competence fees

Under new rules etc you can get chartered using another program other than the masters. If the masters route looks easier and work is still slow then I may go that route anyway but as it stands there are a few "backdoors" which are rarely broadcast.

[MisterTommyH]

Originally Posted by Owenski

Under new rules etc you can get chartered using another program other than the masters. If the masters route looks easier and work is still slow then I may go that route anyway but as it stands there are a few "backdoors" which are rarely broadcast.

Are you guy talking about ICE or IStructE? Or something else?

[Bri w]

Originally Posted by Owenski

+0.5

Im doing the Civil Engineering BSc but nothing on the course actually relates to the work I do day in day out.
2 Reasons for me completing it are:
1 - I dont pay for it.
2 - I cant get much higher than I am right now without it.

Yes I could work without it and still work my way up over time but that doesnt get you the money. I need to Qual in order to get into the right interviews these interviews will be the ones which jack my salary substantionally.

Im also in the process of becoming incorporated, meaning I'll be profeshionally recognised. Its one step below chartered and another fine looking gold star on my CV.

Unless its skilled labour or you're self employed then its all about the paper, gold stars get you the green quicker.

Saying that though, most with a qualification will likely say its essential, those without will argue they're doing just fine without.

I'd certainly recommend getting as many qualifications as possible nowadays. 10 years ago I was doing the papersift at ONC level. Then it moved to HNC/D, and more recently its been a degree with experience and the ability to sign up with a professional body. Also, 10 years ago I'd only see maybe 5 out of a 100 CV's with a degree. Nowadays its more likely 50/50.

Once upon a time I'd interview someone with a lesser qualification allied to lots of experience. Nowadays its relatively easy to find someone with stacks of relevant qualifications and experience.

So in the industry I'm in a high end qualification is a must.

[dizzyblonde]

Brother number one did a Graphic Design degree. Started his own thing for a while, as he was rather good at photography. Didn't last long, and hes been working in Mental Health for the last god knows how many years, never to use his degree, uses it purely for hobby now.

Brother number two, left school at 16, had a few GCSEs, was working behind a bar at 17, shhhh didn't say that , and has been one of our towns most successful pub managers. whichever one he works in, he turns it around to be lucrative. The one he works for at the moment was one of the worst here until 18 months ago, and hes turned it round so much...........hes just had a 6k bonus And wins countless awards in the industry

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

Brother number two, left school at 16, had a few GCSEs, was working behind a bar at 17, shhhh didn't say that , and has been one of our towns most successful pub managers. whichever one he works in, he turns it around to be lucrative. The one he works for at the moment was one of the worst here until 18 months ago, and hes turned it round so much...........hes just had a 6k bonus And wins countless awards in the industry

Sometimes just being able to graft pays off and he obviously knows what he's doing & probably enjoys it too.

I've always worked hard, but I have done jobs within my lot which I thought I wanted to do, but turned out they weren't for me.

Even some of the mundane work I've enjoyed, I'd rather be busy doing routine stuff, than sitting around twiddling my thumbs

For my job although it does not require a degree the ever changing needs and health states require we have a knowledge of a wide range of issues so I draw on things I learnt at uni to assist. I also feel that knowledge make me more alert to peoples symptoms and behaviour changes.
This also allows us to report observations to other healthcare staff, which background understanding we may jot have noticed.