Graduates, what degree classification did you get and do you think it was worth it?

[AutumnLeaves]

So after two years of doing really well at uni, now that my grades are starting to count, I just don't feel able to cope with the pressure and I'm not doing so well. Think I'm fairly bright and could do pretty well under better conditions but I guess that's the same for everyone. At the moment, Im worried I'l even make an ordinary degree or progress to my final year. There's also the worry that Im putting myself through this hell, making myself feel ill and yet there aren't very good prospects for any graduates nowadays, let alone a nervous bambi-in-the-headlights one, so it all seems for nothing!

I do like learning, but not under these conditions, and I wish I could just go out there and work hard and earn an honest living. Not sure what full-time work there is, though. Unskilled people nowadays seem to have to work two or even three part time jobs to keep on top of bills etc and that seems pretty crazy to me!

I could go on a rant about the ills of neo-liberal consumer capitalism and and how we have the means to all work shorter hours and still be able to live comfortably if only the main goal was no longer to keep making more and more profit for no reasonable purpose, but I guess I should be channelling my frustration/despair into my essay on the frankfurt neo-marxists. One of them believed that the revolutionary class is no longer the blue-collar workers, but people like you and me on the margins of society and/or the unemployed/unemployable. Guess it might indeed be possible for an SA person to come up with a revolutionary idea during that huge chunk of time not filled with working or socialising, if they can communicate well in written word....

Anyway, just wondering if people who are aiming for degrees are really struggling cos of SA/generalised anxiety and also if the people with qualifications think it was worth getting it, and if the classification actually makes a difference?

[Toxic]

i get the feeling i did mine for a skive because i was afraid to be thrown into the "real world" the working life

i did a BSC in computer science with games development originally..i got to the 2nd year and despised it with a passion..nothing but spending all day in visual studio..or an app of my choice coding shit in some variation of C..i had no intention of doing that for a career so i dropped out

found another uni doing "games design"..a BA hons ...yeah this is better..design..i dont want development..i want design! so i finished that one with a 2.1. It felt like a 3 year skive at times..the lectuers was useless the degree was fairly pointless...i did originally want to work in the games industry but the work i did actually put me off the idea..and trying to get a job anywhere..with a "games design" degree...people just look at you, what the hell did u just play games for 3 years? ...well no there was actual work to it..it just doesnt seem relevant..anywhere else, so im 18 grand down and no better off really..

i couldnt even bring myself to apply for any of these grad schemes..wanting super confident graduates..its just not me..and it never will be..to be honest i dont know what im going do, half the reason i did the degree was because i wasnt ready for work/interviews..so now im 25 and im still not..i only have this temp job because JSA threw me on it

edit - as for struggling..my 2nd degree wasnt too bad..as my group was like 15 geeks..guys....geeks!..whatever ..the BSC i was doing was more "proper" with like 150 of us in lectures which i did find kinda stressful..the only thing i hated in the ba hons i finished was the presentations..i only managed the few important/marked ones (badly!) with beta blockers and/or alcohol!

[pinkwafer]

2:1


Worth it? yes, only in the sense of personal achievement.

[black_mamba]

It really depends how in demand your particular qualification is and how much competition there is for the industry you're aiming to work in. In careers where the qualifications are directly related to the jobs we go on to do such as medicine, engineering, science etc. it's also more critical. So a good degree classification really helps get work in those areas.

I slaved away in my final 2 years, it was tough, but ultimately worth it. I found that working full time in a professional environment was actually less stressful than me pushing myself working 12 hour days 7 days a week just so I could get a good degree classification! Ha. Maybe getting paid eased the pain.

It sounds as if you're about halfway through a degree? You've got nothing to lose by continuing until you finish, regardless of what qualification you end up with. Surely the only thing you can do right now is try your best, and try not to get demotivated by factors that are outside your control.

[Lord Lucan]

I got a 2:1. probably wasn't worth it. I never used my degree and ended up in a rubbish job. I enjoyed my time at Uni though.

[wobblymist]

Got a 2:1 in Computing Mathematics and was pretty chuffed with it back in 2002! Unfortunately, I was never able to present myself adequately in interview situations and to get a job that I wanted. Quickly became demoralized and gave up. So, in that respect it was a waste of time. As with a lot of things in life, having a likeable personality and confidence is so much more important than academic skills. Ideally you should have both to be successful!

[kastra]

I got a 2:1, my degree was physics & astrophysics Msci and I was pretty pleased with it after the amount of effort I put in (ie hardly any, my attendance was maybe 25%). I feel kinda guilty though thinking I could have done better, and that I could have gone to Cambridge like my sister.
In general my degree is a good one to employers because it's mathematical and not many people study it, but I'm struggling to find work at the moment (which I think is at least partly to do with the 3 year gap on my CV)

[Mu.]

I got a First in Artificial Intelligence, realised I hate working with computers, and have never been well enough to have a job anyway.

[Medea]

Quit, twice. Second time I was half way through but could feel myself going mental, so that was it.

[LittleMissMouse]

2.1

Was it worth it, most definitely yes, although there were times when I wanted to quit (many times), I'm reallllllllly glad that I stuck with it. It's also an absolute prerequisite for my job, I wouldn't have the job I have now without it.

[black_mamba]

Originally Posted by kastra

I got a 2:1, my degree was physics & astrophysics Msci and I was pretty pleased with it after the amount of effort I put in (ie hardly any, my attendance was maybe 25%). I feel kinda guilty though thinking I could have done better, and that I could have gone to Cambridge like my sister.
In general my degree is a good one to employers because it's mathematical and not many people study it, but I'm struggling to find work at the moment (which I think is at least partly to do with the 3 year gap on my CV)

What sort of work are you looking for? We might be doing similar job hunts so could swap vacancy info. Dyson are recruiting a bunch of new scientists and engineers at the moment. They were interested in me but I didn't have a portfolio of my work, which they asked for after seeing my CV.

Might be worth a shot, if you're interested and if you have a portfolio ready or are willing to put one together. They're based near Bristol so not sure if relocating would be an issue or if it's just too far.

http://www.careers.dyson.com/rdd/default.aspx

[black_mamba]

Originally Posted by LittleMissMouse

2.1

Was it worth it, most definitely yes, although there were times when I wanted to quit (many times), I'm reallllllllly glad that I stuck with it. It's also an absolute prerequisite for my job, I wouldn't have the job I have now without it.

Can I be super nosy and ask what you do for work?

[Optimistic]

First class in Mathematica BSc. Proud of myself but to be honest I should have focussed on enjoying myself more and making an effort to beat my anxiety at the time. If I did this I'm sure I would have handled interviews better when I left Uni and made more long-term friends and been generally happier.

It helped me get a well paid job though so overall can't complain.

[no0ne]

i failed mine

i have a bit of paper saying i passed the first year i have no idea what to do with said bit of paper

[LittleMissMouse]

Originally Posted by black_mamba

Can I be super nosy and ask what you do for work?

I work for a consultancy that specialises in health economics. We make economic models to show cost effectiveness of new drugs, its really interesting and varied work (well I like it, it's probably quite boring to most people), and practically everyone we work with is super lovely.

[Diluted]

I have a 'pass' grade.

[black_mamba]

Originally Posted by LittleMissMouse

I work for a consultancy that specialises in health economics. We make economic models to show cost effectiveness of new drugs, its really interesting and varied work (well I like it, it's probably quite boring to most people), and practically everyone we work with is super lovely.

Sounds bloody awesome to me.

[jessicamary]

I got a first in pyschology and counselling. My decision to take this subject was only for the fact I was very very annoyed with every counsellor and psychologist who I had been too so wanted to understand why i am the way I am more!!! Learnt sooo much and very understanding of SA but still unable as to how to cure 'being me'!!!
I gained my degree classification due to having SA, that is I never went out, and used 'having to do a uni essay' to not go out! People thought I was very dedicated, when in fact I would rather write a painful essay than to have to sit and be humiliated in a pub!!!
Good luck with yours, in terms of personal acheivement it is worth it x

[Right~As~Rain]

2:1 it has definitely helped me in terms of being able to study for a Master's and secure a good job (due to SA this wasn't easy) I picked up a few skills along the way by taking on various jobs out of my comfort zone which is currently proving useful! But I think ultimately it depends on what you want to do with your life and laying the appropriate foundations for whatever it is you choose to do.

[AnathemA]

First in Computer Science. I wouldn't have been in the jobs I'd been in without it, so definitely worth it.

[Terence]

I got a 0.0 in nothing in particular but I'm going to get one in accounting after I get my diploma in bookkeeping maybe if I feel like it would do me any good.

Then I'm going to exploit a market I've seen an opening in ie the world at large needs people who can actually handle money responsibly rather than the spendthrifts that have had their hands on the pursestrings for the last decade or so. People who I would not trust with my 8 year old nephews piggy bank let alone the finances of a bank like RBS and he had a degree I think ? Wazzock !

Don't believe the hype by the way the only people ever started a revolution were the middle classes. They start the revolutions and the underclass do the dying for them for their interests it's always been like that.

[Phool]

Law degree - 2.2 and MSc in Public Policy and Management - Pass.

Sad reflection of straight A school career but I lost the plot at 17, bombed A'Levels and went to uni late at 22.

Yes I think it was worth it in that I have had some interesting jobs in the civil service as a result on a better salary than I would otherwise have had. Although sometimes I wonder if I would have been happier in an admin role. But my brain and intellect were definitely challenged and had I not gone through the process I would have felt frustrated and gone to uni at some point anyway.

To answer the question , does classification matter? In my case no, you have to sit civil service exams and I know people with firsts who didn't pass on things like verbal reasoning and project management. And I have twice been a manager to people who got firsts, one from Cambridge. I think whilst you can apply some of the knowledge and skills learnt at uni, it is the first few years of working that shape your career. That's my experience anyway.

[Effervescing Elephant]

I got a 2:2 (which I'm ashamed of) in Geology from Imperial College London. High standards were expected but not reciprocated in the quality of the lecturing IMHO as undergraduates were seen as a nuisance distraction from the lecturer's main interest of being consultants to mining and oil companies.

My dad dropped dead suddenly during the second year mapping project which was worth 40% of the whole course and rather affected my grades.

The course attracted rowdy, outdoorsy types and my SA went off the scale.

And then of course I didn't actually work terribly hard. I was more interested in trying to sort my life out.

Up until I went to University I was passionate about the subject and definitely wanted to work in the field. University taught me to hate it and I've never attempted to look for a job in any related discipline.

[noonlight]

I got a first in Computer Science.

I definitely struggled with the social side of university (as can be expected I suppose) but think I did an OK job of separating this from the work side. This did mean doing most of the work in a couple of group projects because people tended to walk over me a bit but actually I preferred this, I knew it would be done well.

I found it hard to get a job after graduating, though I think this may be partly because I wasn't making enough of an effort. I wanted to get a job in Games development but for my first job I settled on a bog standard software engineering job. After moving jobs a few times I'm now working for a games company so I finally have what I set out for, not sure if it's what I really want any more though .

My advice is not to give up and do the best you can, there are jobs out there they are just limited

[noonlight]

Originally Posted by jessicamary

I gained my degree classification due to having SA, that is I never went out, and used 'having to do a uni essay' to not go out! People thought I was very dedicated, when in fact I would rather write a painful essay than to have to sit and be humiliated in a pub!!!

I can relate to this

[Terence]

Originally Posted by Phool

Law degree - 2.2 and MSc in Public Policy and Management - Pass.

Sad reflection of straight A school career but I lost the plot at 17, bombed A'Levels and went to uni late at 22.

Yes I think it was worth it in that I have had some interesting jobs in the civil service as a result on a better salary than I would otherwise have had. Although sometimes I wonder if I would have been happier in an admin role. But my brain and intellect were definitely challenged and had I not gone through the process I would have felt frustrated and gone to uni at some point anyway.

To answer the question , does classification matter? In my case no, you have to sit civil service exams and I know people with firsts who didn't pass on things like verbal reasoning and project management. And I have twice been a manager to people who got firsts, one from Cambridge. I think whilst you can apply some of the knowledge and skills learnt at uni, it is the first few years of working that shape your career. That's my experience anyway.

If you have to sit civil service exams (do they still exist) then how do they justify putting me in the hands of the folk who work at working links ?

Folk who have not had to sit any of those exams and who I think don't come up to scratch that way and would never get into the civil service except as a sub contracted hanger on ?

My sister worked in the civil service btw she was a customs and excise officer then a VAT officer and an EO and she only had O'levels I was well proud of her. Especially as she pissed off a whole lot of old guy's who were mad as hell because they had no seniority over her becasue they were only AO's Lol.

[Terence]

Originally Posted by Phool

Law degree - 2.2 and MSc in Public Policy and Management - Pass.

Sad reflection of straight A school career but I lost the plot at 17, bombed A'Levels and went to uni late at 22.

Yes I think it was worth it in that I have had some interesting jobs in the civil service as a result on a better salary than I would otherwise have had. Although sometimes I wonder if I would have been happier in an admin role. But my brain and intellect were definitely challenged and had I not gone through the process I would have felt frustrated and gone to uni at some point anyway.

To answer the question , does classification matter? In my case no, you have to sit civil service exams and I know people with firsts who didn't pass on things like verbal reasoning and project management. And I have twice been a manager to people who got firsts, one from Cambridge. I think whilst you can apply some of the knowledge and skills learnt at uni, it is the first few years of working that shape your career. That's my experience anyway.

If you have to sit civil service exams (do they still exist) then how do they justify putting me in the hands of the folk who work at working links ?

Folk who have not had to sit any of those exams and who I think don't come up to scratch that way and would never get into the civil service except as a sub contracted hanger on ?

My sister worked in the civil service btw she was a customs and excise officer then a VAT officer and an EO and she only had O'levels I was well proud of her. Especially as she pissed off a whole lot of old guy's who were mad as hell because they had no seniority over her becasue they were only AO's Lol.

[Phool]

Originally Posted by Terence

If you have to sit civil service exams (do they still exist) then how do they justify putting me in the hands of the folk who work at working links ?

Folk who have not had to sit any of those exams and who I think don't come up to scratch that way and would never get into the civil service except as a sub contracted hanger on ?

My sister worked in the civil service btw she was a customs and excise officer then a VAT officer and an EO and she only had O'levels I was well proud of her. Especially as she pissed off a whole lot of old guy's who were mad as hell because they had no seniority over her becasue they were only AO's Lol.

I didn't have to sit them for EO level which I was for 4 years but for HEO level which is more of a graduate entry level although I only got in after doing my masters because that had a strong statistics and social research element to it.

I don't know about how DWP recruits job centre staff, I've only ever worked in Whitehall so far. Apart from a years secondment to the London Borough of Camden.

[Terence]

Originally Posted by Phool

I didn't have to sit them for EO level which I was for 4 years but for HEO level which is more of a graduate entry level although I only got in after doing my masters because that had a strong statistics and social research element to it.

I don't know about how DWP recruits job centre staff, I've only ever worked in Whitehall so far. Apart from a years secondment to the London Borough of Camden.

Whitehall eh very impressive !

Do you know David Cameron ?

[Phool]

Originally Posted by Terence

Whitehall eh very impressive !

Do you know David Cameron ?

Yeah we go out drinking in the marquis on a friday night. . I have met various Ministers along the way, it depends on what project you work on. e.g. I once had to to draft a parliamentary order, which had to go through both houses so had to write speeches for lords and commons and met both ministers to talk then through the speeches. My current project is being championed by a baroness so work quite closely with her team.

Anyhow I have opted for voluntary redundancy and leave in October. I couldn't hack the hours, pace or open plan working anymore.