[Sussex] An odd question....

Mark Harrison mark.harrison at ekingfisher.com
Mon Jan 6 15:40:01 UTC 2003


Adam,
 
Well - you've had a number of view points from a number of people.
 
It is true to say that many people have trouble finding jobs on graduation. It is also true to say that many school-leavers have trouble finding jobs.
 
It is statistically true that two people with the same school qualifications, one of whom goes on to University, one of whom goes straight out to work, will end up with the one with more experience earning more through his early to mid 20s. It is also statistically true that in their early 30s, the graduates will earn more than the non-graduate.
 
Note that this is a statistical argument, and we can all think of counter-examples.
 
There is a tendancy among non-graduates to blame this on "nepotism" and "the old-boy network", and generally anything other than "well, actually, I wasn't good enough." There is a tendancy among recruiters to take into account evidence of skills acquired as well as "experience", and having a piece of paper from a recognised authority to certify this will do well.
 
Much hinges on what you want to do long-term. Would you be happy with a salary say double the national average (national average is low 20s, so double is, say, £45k , and a super-techy job that you enjoy? If so, then by all means go straight out to work. If your aspirations are higher, then, statisically, a degree will help you get to the upper levels of the greasy pole. If will not be SUFFICIENT, but it will be a major assistance.
 
If you are absoutely certain of what you want to do, and find the right job, then by all means go for it. However, if you are still undecided, then going to University for 3/4 years buys you thinking time, and, unless you drop out (don't!) something that will always have some value. If, however, you program for three years, then decide you ACTUALLY want to be an accountant, then don't expect your experience to count for anything. Your degree in IT, on the other hand, WILL count for something.
 
A lot, in my view, hinges on what kind of degree you're going to get. If you are predicted straight As, 1s at S-level, and your teachers expect you to go to study IT at Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Bristol, Imperial or Warwick, then go. If you are predicted Cs and Ds, and are likely to go to a former Polytechnic, then do not expect any future employer to be overly impressed by those credentials.
 
An Open University degree IS very impressive, but much harder to actually acheive than a full-time one. (Trust me, I speak with experience of both.)
 
I would, however, always count a degree as more impressive than an MCSE...
 
Regards,

Mark Harrison
 
 
 
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