Do people really need a degree for career sucess?

Question

I'm starting to feel bad by not going to uni. All friends seem to be having a great time, when i am finding it tough working full-time and studying for the accountant techcians exams part-time. I thought that the eary experience would help me in the future. Am i wrong?

Answer 1

I too did not go to university, but am now a ACCA finalist. I also have the option to gain a degree based on my previous exam passes to stage two by submitting a dissertation.

When I go for job interviews, they are only interested in my ACCA not any education prior to that.

Accountancy is an area where exams without experience is not the best route.

Answer 2

Yes, a degree will escalate your career better in the long term.

Those with degrees have much better job prospects - most nowadays even go onto doing Masters courses.

and of course the great learning experience you have while living away from home to attend university. Its like a rollercoaster - You learn so much during these years.

They say , University are the Best Years of your Life! Its so true! My memories are unforgettable. I recommend it to anyone.

A degree (in this present world) is now a standard qualification. To enrol onto a good career - you require a good degree.

If you want to specialise - then you can do a Masters.

I have a degree in Computing. I will be enrolling on a MBA course in Oct. The futures looking bright! ( Im 24 yrs old)

Answer 3

in the long run a degree probably doesn't make much difference. However, when it comes to promotions, somebody with a degree would be preferable, because they have shown that they're willing to work at one thing for 3 years without giving up. Also, despite what people say, degrees are hard work-unless you do them in David Beckham or something ridiculous. Also, if you look on job websites, the starting wage for a graduate role is a lot higher than entering as just a normal trainee. So yes, having a degree does have its benefits, and even if if doesn't get you too much further, university is 3 unforgettable years, and i would recommend it to anybody.

Answer 4

Five years ago my employers had a strict graduate only policy. Today, they will look at hiring people with 3 years relevent experience as well who show determination to succeed. This is due to the amount of applications they were receiving from graduates who couldn't even write a covering letter that wasn't littered with mistakes!
A degree doesn't count for nearly as much these days. I think there will soon be a change to the government figure that graduates earn an extra 200k in their lifetime. There are not enough people doing trades these days, such as plumbers and electricians so they are charging extorniate amounts. Which is due rise even more with the demand on infrastructure for the olympic games.

Answer 5

I finished uni in 2002. i went to Uni purely to put off having to go to work straight away and having to grow up. I was not surprised when i finished with a degree to not be able to find a job paying lots of money etc etc. I did however learn how to cook, survive on no money and drink too much to name but a few. Some people who i graduated with are successful and do earn lots of money, but most of mates don't, but are starting to get there. I have got a reasonable job, and find i can use both work experience and uni experience now when applying for jobs. I reckon that if you really want to go to uni to study make sure you know what you want to do, and have a goal you want to achieve at the end of it, for example if you want to be an accountant, then study it.

But, before you go toddling off to uni to spend loads of money and waste time doing something you might not end up wanting to do i reckon it might be a good idea to spend a year working in the industry just to get a realistic as possible idea of what it will be that you may be doing.

Basically doing what you are doing.

Studying accountancy part time and working you are doing both of these things and the experience will give you an idea of what you are getting yourself into for the rest of your life, and if you decide this is not the right option for you, you haven't lost too much i.e. a £10,000 student loan, expectation from firends and family and the ability to wake up before 10am.

The greatest thing about having friends at uni who are having a great time and enjoying themselves is that you get to go and visit them, take advantage of student discounts, cheap Student Union nights etc then go home!

Basically, if you want a career and can see an opening to achieve it without going to uni then do it. Its cheaper and you will get there quicker, which will probably make you richer.

Good luck.

Answer 6

You don't need to go to Uni and get a Degree to succeed.

Just think of the satisfaction you will have when you finish your part time accountant technicians exams, and that you worked full time throught them. That will look more impressive on you CV, than attending a University full time.

While doing my last job I completed 2 GCSEs, a NVQ and a CLAIT Course. And I am still wotking full time, and have just enrolled on an Open University Course.

Answer 7

Absolutely not! There is far too much emphasis on degree's these days. Half the people with them can't even write correctly. Imagine - you could get in degree in - say, TV sit-coms and then get a job as a graduate in a management position!!!! How utterly ridiculous is that? Experience is worth infinitely more than a degree. And yes, I have the equivalent of a degree - an HND.

Answer 8

You are currently undertaking a professional qualification which will help you in your career. I think the Government is wrong trying to get 50% of school leavers into university. University just isn't for some people.

Just think your friends will have all that debt and you won't! Degrees are only really necessary for certain careers anyway in my opinion. By the way I have two career related degrees.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Oh im like you......im not going to uni but all my friends are!!!
You've just got to do whats best for you, i mean whats your view on the student loans??
There are alot of people though that go to university and then can't get a job because there over qualified and companies can't afford to hire them......the majority of decent paid jobs normally ask for experience!! Just becasue somebody from uni might have a certificate to prove their qualified to do something, doesnt mean they can actually do the job compared to someone who may have already had experience in that field!!!

Does any of that make sense???

Answer 10

Yes you are. Experience is important but no one will give you a chance to prove it if you don't have the degree. And these days to have a good success bachelor don't even cut it-you have to go to master. Go back to school and get at get your bachelor. This of it this way- people can rob you from your material possessions but they can never steal your intellect. That is something that will be your property and investment in your future forever.