Should i do my dissertation?

Question

I'm a UK student, in my final year of studying a BA Hons in Early Childhood stuides. Which in brief is a course that gives a reasonably in-depth overview/study of the entire caring profession. e.g. Health, education and social care.
The job prospects are, dire, although my lectureres would fiercely disagree. I am currently job hunting, and nothing, i mean nothing is coming up that i can do with my degree, firstly i am too young (will be 21 when i graduate), i don't have years of PAID experience. (I have tons of voluntary, plus it has to have been done within the last 6 months to a year otherwise it's not really valid.

So my question is it really worth while?
Does a dissertation really male that much of a difference?
I have so many other assignements coming in over the next few months, that also involve research, is it better to get a good grade overall through eliminating one thing i.e.disseration, or just an average grade overall?

I must be constantly stimulated? i get bored in mind numbingly boring jobs. These joibs include nursery nursing, teaching assistants. i would kill myself with boredom.
And no i wouldn't advance up the career ladder much quicker, sadly because it's not specifi qulification like a teacher or nurse.
Plus the pay is unimaginably poor. I get more pay where i'm currently working at TK Maxx.

i'm at university, and in order to get an honours degree i need to do my dissertation? i will still get a BA just not the Hons part.
Somebody else i know is not doing the dissertation and they've been told it doesn't make that much of a difference.

i just think i would benefit more if i left it a couple of years with more experience under my belt.

i.m at Northampton Uni at the moment.

Answer 1

don't look at the word count, when i did mine 12,000 i look at it as 12, 1000 essays that way its not as daunting. a dissertation is part if the final marks and are often can be double modules so yes very important.

if I've read your question right (please forgive me if i haven't) voluntary experience is the best thing ever because it tells employers more about you (i.e your caring, easy going, prepared to help etc etc etc) when i finished my degree i got my current job because i had voluntary work behind me.

your not too young for any job and well done to you for being focus and starting you career path. don't be dishearten at this stage and don't give up.

Answer 2

I'm also a UK student in my final year at university and currently doing a dissertation as part of my degree. I'm also looking to work with children and am unlikely to be taking a job in the near future that requires an Honours Degree.

I would say definitely go for it. You're still young and if you decide in the future you want to go for a job needing an Honours Degree then you really don't want to have to start from scratch. It's a competitive job market out there and you need as many advantages as you can get.

Answer 3

"As Sweet by Any Other Name: A Comparison of Own-Label and Manufacturers' Brands in the Food Market" This title alludes to a line in Shakespeare that you could read as dealing with brand (Montagues, Capulets? It's all the same!): "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." It would be an especially good title if you narrowed down your comparison to baked goods or ice creams or something sweet. Probably a good idea to narrow your topic a bit in a dissertation anyway, IMO. EDIT: @ resigned... Great minds think alike!

Answer 4

Take on one target at a time. Your dissertation is important for your immediate future and may help you to get the elusive job you require. Give everything your best shot without making yourself ill. Work/life balance is vital if you are to survive in any pressurised job or course. Keep going at a steady well thought out pace and plan your day. Make sure your plan includes special time for you. Think of rewards you can give yourself as you finish Pieces of work (targets). Good luck I am confident you can do it if you think more positive. It is always easy to think of reasons why you should not do it but the feeling of success, especially if it is difficult is great.

Answer 5

I would answer a definite yes, as, if you do a job.further course that requires a dissertation it would be far easier to do it now than come back to it at a later point. A BA is useful but a BA (Hons) even more so and shows more dedication to potential employers or universities for postgrad. Which uni are you at?

Answer 6

The dissertation will be very valuable to you if you decide to go on to graduate school. Otherwise, I suspect it won't be very valuable to you.

The best thing for you would be a change in attitude. I doubt anyone will hire you if you go into the job market with such a negative impression of the working world. I know that I wouldn't hire someone with an attitude like that.

Answer 7

Undergraduate dissertations are rare. Are you at a school where you need a thesis in order to graduate with honors?

If so -- then do it. Don't do it because of your job prospects, do it because graduating with honors will give you more options in the future. If you decide to go to graduate school, it will be a big help in getting you in. If you decide to work in a different field, it will separate you from the other people with degrees in the social sciences and arts who don't have honors degrees.

Also -- at some time in the future you will be older and have experience -- it will help ou to get the job you really want.

Finally -- I find it hard to believe that you can't get work in your field. The world needs those who can work with children. Perhaps you aren't looking in the right places.

Answer 8

You won't get a good mark if you don't do the dissertation - all employers will see is BA.

If you ever want to do a masters, or PGCE you will need at least a 2:1 - which you can only get with honours.

It will make a huge difference to your career choices and any future study so go for it.

Answer 9

Yes, its vital. Even if you change your career path totally, a dissertation shows that you have commitment and the ability to focus. Both are very valuable assets when job hunting - regardless of the job.