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Our kids are now at uni and I'm really feeling old. | |||
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"Graduated in 1996
Our kids are now at uni and I'm really feeling old."The year I was born. | |||
"Currently work at sydney university in the fab department "Finally the truth is out  | |||
"Currently work at sydney university in the fab department
Finally the truth is out "Yes I work for the fab research department we just have to know what’s going on in the fab world ha ha | |||
"Graduated in 1996
Our kids are now at uni and I'm really feeling old.
The year I was born. "Alright youngster….don’t rub it in  | |||
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"Just wondering if anyone else on here is studying at university now or has done and what was your degree?? I currently study Business management with entrepreneurship." i have 3 degrees plus a Diana ross greatest hits c.d. | |||
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"Graduated as mature student in 2001 then did a masters. Best thing I ever did, not just financially but the time to study as an adult and then pursue a proper career globally was life changing." I wish I had gone on to do a master's but my current job got in the way. Like you it is the best thing I have done for myself. | |||
"I did sociology at university which I’m sure won’t surprise many. Yes - I’ve already heard the joke that it’s not a real degree by the way "I would love to study sociology, media or the arts , I did Bsc/MSc so quite technical and not huge amount of reading, but enough. All degrees are real just different | |||
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"I did sociology at university which I’m sure won’t surprise many. Yes - I’ve already heard the joke that it’s not a real degree by the way
I would love to study sociology, media or the arts , I did Bsc/MSc so quite technical and not huge amount of reading, but enough. All degrees are real just different "I did really enjoy it. My course was a Bsc. Did some media modules which were fascinating too. If I was smart enough would’ve loved to have done literature. I find it so cool hearing about what people have studied and how much they must’ve learned. | |||
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"I was 40 years old when I graduated for gaining my degree in learning and development of babies and young children Two years later I graduated from studying for BA hons in Childhood Studies Then did a BA in Leadership and Management Never too old My son has a BA hons degree in Games developing and mathematics "And I have dyslexia | |||
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"I was 40 years old when I graduated for gaining my degree in learning and development of babies and young children Two years later I graduated from studying for BA hons in Childhood Studies Then did a BA in Leadership and Management Never too old My son has a BA hons degree in Games developing and mathematics "Well done. It’s helps as a parent doesn’t if you’ve been through the system yourself. I would love to take 4 years out study BA fine art, photography, at somewhere like UoA London, or Paris But I really think I am actually too old now | |||
"I was 40 years old when I graduated for gaining my degree in learning and development of babies and young children Two years later I graduated from studying for BA hons in Childhood Studies Then did a BA in Leadership and Management Never too old My son has a BA hons degree in Games developing and mathematics
Well done. It’s helps as a parent doesn’t if you’ve been through the system yourself.
I would love to take 4 years out study BA fine art, photography, at somewhere like UoA London, or Paris
But I really think I am actually too old now "Oh absolutely it does, he know works in Edinburgh for a gaming company and moving on up the ranks | |||
"I have, back in the day when not everyone and his dog got in "I worked hard for my degree  | |||
"I was 40 years old when I graduated for gaining my degree in learning and development of babies and young children Two years later I graduated from studying for BA hons in Childhood Studies Then did a BA in Leadership and Management Never too old My son has a BA hons degree in Games developing and mathematics
Well done. It’s helps as a parent doesn’t if you’ve been through the system yourself.
I would love to take 4 years out study BA fine art, photography, at somewhere like UoA London, or Paris
But I really think I am actually too old now "You are never too old! Just go for it! | |||
 ), slightly different as I went through the Scottish system but I have two degrees, one a postgrad, both English Lit. I'd love to actually do my PhD at some point and will probably do so in my forties. | |||
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"Graduated in 1996
Our kids are now at uni and I'm really feeling old.
The year I was born. "I knew this would happen | |||
"I never finished my sport science back in the days when it was free and I found it easy. Now doing a Humanities/History via the OU which is expensive and difficult with my dusty old brain "Dusty old brains are perfect for history. The costs of uni now though are scandalous. | |||
"I never finished my sport science back in the days when it was free and I found it easy. Now doing a Humanities/History via the OU which is expensive and difficult with my dusty old brain
Dusty old brains are perfect for history.
The costs of uni now though are scandalous."University is free in Scotland. I'm not sure if it's still the case but, foreign nationals could get it free as well but those for the other UK nations don't. | |||
"University is free in Scotland. I'm not sure if it's still the case but, foreign nationals could get it free as well but those for the other UK nations don't. " They're sensible about a lot of stuff up there. In England it's just become an all round rip off especially the accommodation. | |||
"Currently work at sydney university in the fab department "My alma mater  | |||
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"University is free in Scotland. I'm not sure if it's still the case but, foreign nationals could get it free as well but those for the other UK nations don't. They're sensible about a lot of stuff up there. In England it's just become an all round rip off especially the accommodation." Yes we are.
The flip side of it is many people enrol at uni or college (HNC & HND) because they can then get a student loan then drop out and have no intention of paying it back.
I groan when I look at my payslip and see ££££'s taken off for SL payments but I certainly don't grudge it as the system we have had been very good to me. | |||
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 Back then, it didn't matter what subject it was. The fact we even went to university mattered more, unless it was a job with a very particular set of skills. I mean, I don't think anyone would have trusted me to wield a knife near their body or design a building. | |||
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"I’m half way through a marketing degree "I have a theory about marketing!
I loved my marketing modules but my results said something different. | |||
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"Just wondering if anyone else on here is studying at university now or has done and what was your degree?? I currently study Business management with entrepreneurship." I (V) am in my final year at university and am enjoying every moment... apart from the essays! Studying Paediatric nursing at 44, never too old for anything | |||
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"I’m half way through a marketing degree
I have a theory about marketing!
I loved my marketing modules but my results said something different. "Thankfully my grades so far are great! But then I am a marketing manager | |||
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"Just wondering if anyone else on here is studying at university now or has done and what was your degree?? I currently study Business management with entrepreneurship. i have 3 degrees plus a Diana ross greatest hits c.d. "Omg that made me laugh far too much Miss pc | |||
"I'm one of those dogs that got in ( ), slightly different as I went through the Scottish system but I have two degrees, one a postgrad, both English Lit. I'd love to actually do my PhD at some point and will probably do so in my forties."I was too...and have just finished my PhD best and hardest thing I've ever done...totally worth it tho. Highly recommend x | |||
"I’m half way through a marketing degree
I have a theory about marketing!
I loved my marketing modules but my results said something different.
Thankfully my grades so far are great! But then I am a marketing manager "Phew. | |||
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"I'm one of those dogs that got in ( ), slightly different as I went through the Scottish system but I have two degrees, one a postgrad, both English Lit. I'd love to actually do my PhD at some point and will probably do so in my forties.
I was too...and have just finished my PhD best and hardest thing I've ever done...totally worth it tho. Highly recommend x"Oh well done! Congratulations, that's genuinely fantastic - you must be thrilled. I hope you're able to have a bit of a breather and relax now, x | |||
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"Just wondering if anyone else on here is studying at university now or has done and what was your degree?? I currently study Business management with entrepreneurship. i have 3 degrees plus a Diana ross greatest hits c.d.
Omg that made me laugh far too much Miss pc "The degrees are Chemistry: Chain reaction(s) Sports medicine: Muscles Orology: Ain't no mountain high enough | |||
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"I have, back in the day when not everyone and his dog got in "They don’t but that school of thought will always remain. However, universities can’t make money if they don’t take the pile them high approach…. No students means no money means no university and the business goes bust  | |||
"Did a degree years ago then a post grad ins same subject. Never used either directly as did a complete career change. Have considered doing an MBA, but not sure it is a worthwhile use of time at “my age”. Might do something completely random for the fun of it when I retire. Don’t envy anyone taking the plunge now. Huge costs, so much competition and choice it is bewildering. But good luck to all who are studying. Hope it all goes well OP. "Why thankyou! I agree the costs are crazy that I incur and the management of the place is woeful. | |||
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"If I won the lottery I’d go back and do more and more degrees in different subjects. I loved studying, strung it out for 4 years but then had to get a proper job. If I could just study for the sake of it I’d be in heaven." I did 5 years in a row. I was going to go back PT because of work. Did I, did I heck. I used to look for degrees that I could do so like you I could study forever. | |||
"If I won the lottery I’d go back and do more and more degrees in different subjects. I loved studying, strung it out for 4 years but then had to get a proper job. If I could just study for the sake of it I’d be in heaven." Curious: why is a lottery win needed? There is an endless supply of information out there to enable self study to much higher level than a degree (which is quite a basic level of speciality and depth for many subjects). Or is it a matter of time and preferring to be tutored in a class than to (self) study? | |||
"If I won the lottery I’d go back and do more and more degrees in different subjects. I loved studying, strung it out for 4 years but then had to get a proper job. If I could just study for the sake of it I’d be in heaven. Curious: why is a lottery win needed? There is an endless supply of information out there to enable self study to much higher level than a degree (which is quite a basic level of speciality and depth for many subjects). Or is it a matter of time and preferring to be tutored in a class than to (self) study? " I couldn't do an online course or degree. I need to be pushed and be able to ask questions in a class setting and be able to discuss topics with classmates. | |||
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"If I won the lottery I’d go back and do more and more degrees in different subjects. I loved studying, strung it out for 4 years but then had to get a proper job. If I could just study for the sake of it I’d be in heaven. Curious: why is a lottery win needed? There is an endless supply of information out there to enable self study to much higher level than a degree (which is quite a basic level of speciality and depth for many subjects). Or is it a matter of time and preferring to be tutored in a class than to (self) study? I couldn't do an online course or degree. I need to be pushed and be able to ask questions in a class setting and be able to discuss topics with classmates. " It probably varies from topic to topic, but there plenty of forums that you can in indulge in similar discourse for opinion. Granted they sometimes have their pitfalls. But also plenty of opportunity for intellectual debate and exchange of ideas. But I also get the benefits of exchanging views and learning in person - especially if in a top flight location. | |||
"If I won the lottery I’d go back and do more and more degrees in different subjects. I loved studying, strung it out for 4 years but then had to get a proper job. If I could just study for the sake of it I’d be in heaven. Curious: why is a lottery win needed? There is an endless supply of information out there to enable self study to much higher level than a degree (which is quite a basic level of speciality and depth for many subjects). Or is it a matter of time and preferring to be tutored in a class than to (self) study? I couldn't do an online course or degree. I need to be pushed and be able to ask questions in a class setting and be able to discuss topics with classmates. It probably varies from topic to topic, but there plenty of forums that you can in indulge in similar discourse for opinion. Granted they sometimes have their pitfalls. But also plenty of opportunity for intellectual debate and exchange of ideas. But I also get the benefits of exchanging views and learning in person - especially if in a top flight location. " I have done a couple of modules that have interactive forums and they were okay but limited by the times when everyone can participate. But never say never. | |||
"If I won the lottery I’d go back and do more and more degrees in different subjects. I loved studying, strung it out for 4 years but then had to get a proper job. If I could just study for the sake of it I’d be in heaven. Curious: why is a lottery win needed? There is an endless supply of information out there to enable self study to much higher level than a degree (which is quite a basic level of speciality and depth for many subjects). Or is it a matter of time and preferring to be tutored in a class than to (self) study? I couldn't do an online course or degree. I need to be pushed and be able to ask questions in a class setting and be able to discuss topics with classmates. It probably varies from topic to topic, but there plenty of forums that you can in indulge in similar discourse for opinion. Granted they sometimes have their pitfalls. But also plenty of opportunity for intellectual debate and exchange of ideas. But I also get the benefits of exchanging views and learning in person - especially if in a top flight location. " There’s loads of ways to learn. Doing my degrees embedded things like the scientific approach , critical analysis, research methodology , access to authentic and good sources through things like ATHENS. Very little teaching at uni takes place in a class but you benefit from well designed courses and the time snd space to do it all properly and grow. I’ve tried online courses MOOCS, OU etc and also tried studying while working full time and it doesn’t work for me, work is far too demanding to enjoy studying as well | |||
"If I won the lottery I’d go back and do more and more degrees in different subjects. I loved studying, strung it out for 4 years but then had to get a proper job. If I could just study for the sake of it I’d be in heaven. Curious: why is a lottery win needed? There is an endless supply of information out there to enable self study to much higher level than a degree (which is quite a basic level of speciality and depth for many subjects). Or is it a matter of time and preferring to be tutored in a class than to (self) study? I couldn't do an online course or degree. I need to be pushed and be able to ask questions in a class setting and be able to discuss topics with classmates. It probably varies from topic to topic, but there plenty of forums that you can in indulge in similar discourse for opinion. Granted they sometimes have their pitfalls. But also plenty of opportunity for intellectual debate and exchange of ideas. But I also get the benefits of exchanging views and learning in person - especially if in a top flight location. There’s loads of ways to learn. Doing my degrees embedded things like the scientific approach , critical analysis, research methodology , access to authentic and good sources through things like ATHENS. Very little teaching at uni takes place in a class but you benefit from well designed courses and the time snd space to do it all properly and grow. I’ve tried online courses MOOCS, OU etc and also tried studying while working full time and it doesn’t work for me, work is far too demanding to enjoy studying as well" Studying needs to be enjoyable otherwise I would lose interest. | |||
"…. There’s loads of ways to learn. Doing my degrees embedded things like the scientific approach , critical analysis, research methodology , access to authentic and good sources through things like ATHENS. Very little teaching at uni takes place in a class but you benefit from well designed courses and the time snd space to do it all properly and grow. I’ve tried online courses MOOCS, OU etc and also tried studying while working full time and it doesn’t work for me, work is far too demanding to enjoy studying as well" I guess everyone's different and has a different style. And for someone who’s never been to Uni or similar I’m not knocking or trying undermine it. The Q (curiosity above) was in relation to repeated uni based study (following a lottery) - not whether self study could replace an initial grounding in approach, methods etc. but having done that once - if the subject is largely text or computer based (and does not require extensive labs or facilities) then (in my opinion) there is also the option for self study where you can focus on the specific elements that benefit. It was a different matter when courses were free. But when courses are so expensive now - then i personally question the value of some taught courses vs self study. Point is there are many options. You can learn a 3 year degree course in a year if you out your mind to it and bypass most of the waffle. Depends what ‘one’ seeks from the study - general enlightenment - or an investment in career/earning power - or other growth factor. . | |||
"Currently work at sydney university in the fab department " | |||
"If I won the lottery I’d go back and do more and more degrees in different subjects. I loved studying, strung it out for 4 years but then had to get a proper job. If I could just study for the sake of it I’d be in heaven. Curious: why is a lottery win needed? There is an endless supply of information out there to enable self study to much higher level than a degree (which is quite a basic level of speciality and depth for many subjects). Or is it a matter of time and preferring to be tutored in a class than to (self) study? I couldn't do an online course or degree. I need to be pushed and be able to ask questions in a class setting and be able to discuss topics with classmates. It probably varies from topic to topic, but there plenty of forums that you can in indulge in similar discourse for opinion. Granted they sometimes have their pitfalls. But also plenty of opportunity for intellectual debate and exchange of ideas. But I also get the benefits of exchanging views and learning in person - especially if in a top flight location. " I’ve done my entire degree so far online and this has suited me perfectly! All seminars are recorded too which makes it easier but this method of learning isn’t for everyone. I’m doing a degree in a field that I’ve worked in for 6 years which certainly makes this degree much easier! | |||
"…. There’s loads of ways to learn. Doing my degrees embedded things like the scientific approach , critical analysis, research methodology , access to authentic and good sources through things like ATHENS. Very little teaching at uni takes place in a class but you benefit from well designed courses and the time snd space to do it all properly and grow. I’ve tried online courses MOOCS, OU etc and also tried studying while working full time and it doesn’t work for me, work is far too demanding to enjoy studying as well I guess everyone's different and has a different style. And for someone who’s never been to Uni or similar I’m not knocking or trying undermine it. The Q (curiosity above) was in relation to repeated uni based study (following a lottery) - not whether self study could replace an initial grounding in approach, methods etc. but having done that once - if the subject is largely text or computer based (and does not require extensive labs or facilities) then (in my opinion) there is also the option for self study where you can focus on the specific elements that benefit. It was a different matter when courses were free. But when courses are so expensive now - then i personally question the value of some taught courses vs self study. Point is there are many options. You can learn a 3 year degree course in a year if you out your mind to it and bypass most of the waffle. Depends what ‘one’ seeks from the study - general enlightenment - or an investment in career/earning power - or other growth factor. . " Definitely questionable value on some, but even what many see as a bad degree will be right for some, it’s how you apply it. The point you make about what one seems is very valid. Pace was good for me , 4 year degree with year 2 in industry and 2 year part time masters while working as a KTP associate. I needed that amount of time to put in place big step / life changes coming from skilled manual work | |||
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"If I won the lottery I’d go back and do more and more degrees in different subjects. I loved studying, strung it out for 4 years but then had to get a proper job. If I could just study for the sake of it I’d be in heaven. Curious: why is a lottery win needed? There is an endless supply of information out there to enable self study to much higher level than a degree (which is quite a basic level of speciality and depth for many subjects). Or is it a matter of time and preferring to be tutored in a class than to (self) study? " I work full time. I’ve done professional qualifications while working so I’m very familiar with self study but it’s absolutely not the same as having the luxury of time to devote to learning, and to be learning from m from people who are experts in their field. That’s not the same as “being tutored” by which you seem to imply there’s some kind of spoon-feeding going on. That wasn’t my experience of my undergraduate or masters degrees. I couldn’t have replicated the learning I did there at home by myself on a computer after work. A degree that can be replicated entirely independently isn’t a good degree. | |||
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...went back to university and did a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). | |||
"If I won the lottery I’d go back and do more and more degrees in different subjects. I loved studying, strung it out for 4 years but then had to get a proper job. If I could just study for the sake of it I’d be in heaven. Curious: why is a lottery win needed? There is an endless supply of information out there to enable self study to much higher level than a degree (which is quite a basic level of speciality and depth for many subjects). Or is it a matter of time and preferring to be tutored in a class than to (self) study? I work full time. I’ve done professional qualifications while working so I’m very familiar with self study but it’s absolutely not the same as having the luxury of time to devote to learning, and to be learning from m from people who are experts in their field. That’s not the same as “being tutored” by which you seem to imply there’s some kind of spoon-feeding going on. That wasn’t my experience of my undergraduate or masters degrees. I couldn’t have replicated the learning I did there at home by myself on a computer after work. A degree that can be replicated entirely independently isn’t a good degree. " I was not implying spoon feeding as you out it. Maybe the terminology has changed. I was taught through a combination of lectures, tutoring and self study when at Uni and Law School. Hence the use of the terminology. Most useful skill I learnt was how to structure own research. But I appreciate that there’s a big difference between academia and leaning skills for work. I see that as just investment of time. Unless the ROI is at least 3 to 5x in same amount of years then it is not a good investment. Better to buy in the knowledge. I’d quite like to do a Psychology degree one day. But something to do as a hobby in retirement. Same goes for Physics. But was far too thick to do that, hence why went into Law | |||
"Graduated in Economics many many years ago...did a few years experience became a qualified accountant. Found that tedious ...went back to university and did a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). "Would you recommend an MBA? I know a few ex colleagues who went on to do them. But at “my age” not sure if worthwhile return on investment now. The cost of the course vs loss of earnings. Not sure if it makes sense as a good investment. | |||
"Online studying can be done very well, but a traditional degree cannot simply be thrown online without significant adjustment to the teaching and learning methods. I'm currently teaching via a hybrid method (online and in-person students in the same sessions) and I've had to very much re-invent the wheel. I think it's been reasonably successful (that, or the students are just being polite) but I know some colleagues hate it and have definitely not adjusted to it. " I'm getting to the end of my tether with hybrid learning, I need the social interaction with students to see if they have understood what we are discussing. Last year, when everything was online, was very good. This year it has been difficult to get students to submit work or attend an in-person class but that may have something to do with their work life having changed. Maybe if we had been following the OU model for a few years it would have been different. | |||
"I’m currently doing my masters in Notts, I’m into my 5th year at uni now, maybe too much "I did 5 years too (degree plus postgrad) ... and then another 2 years of accountancy exams. | |||
"Graduated in Economics many many years ago...did a few years experience became a qualified accountant. Found that tedious ...went back to university and did a Masters in Business Administration (MBA).
Would you recommend an MBA? I know a few ex colleagues who went on to do them. But at “my age” not sure if worthwhile return on investment now. The cost of the course vs loss of earnings. Not sure if it makes sense as a good investment. "It is a huge investment so my advice is to be crystal clear why you want to do it, try and work out the Financial benefits from it (difficult but still need to work out return on investment), and also do you have the time to do it. I did it in one year as I took a year off. I also think its important where you do it...some schools are better than others and it makes a difference! Happy to chat more ..just send me dm | |||
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"Let's see Diploma in health studies Conservation bsc Networking and ICT support Currently doing a Masters with MIT It is a big investment, make sure it's something you want to do as passion for the subject will make it flow easier" Making sure that it is worth the investment is one of the hardest bits to get to the bottom of, and it is worth taking the time and spending money if necessary to get hard facts in the likely financial upside of having of a qualification. Really need someone who isn’t going to sugar coat it and sell a pipe dream. It is also really important for a person to be brutally honest with themselves and understand whether it is the lack of qualification that is holding them back, or other performance issues / skills. I lived in the US for several years, and US employers seem to place a lot of stock in MBA qualifications in certain roles and industries. In their 30’s, two friends of mine took a few years out to do mba’s, as they felt that they could not progress further in their organisations without them. In one case, the guy found a new level with his employer, and the mba risk / investment worked out well for him. In the other case, not such a good outcome ... it wasn’t just the lack of mba they was holding him back, but other issues too ... or to put it another way, getting the mba did not stop being being an abrasive prick in the workplace, and no amount of extra qualifications were going to fix that. If anything it made him worse because he now thought he was gods gift because he had an mba. Hard facts, independent advice and soul-searching needed to make a good assessment. | |||
"Never went to university for any degrees, but I’ve got a masters in common sense " Worth its weight in gold | |||
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"Never went to university for any degrees, but I’ve got a masters in common sense Worth its weight in gold " and disqualifies you from being a tory PM. | |||
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"Looking to do a Masters in Information Security, seems it’s only the Royal Holloway that does it via distance learning "It is a very good degree. The OU may do something similar but I’ve not checked for a while | |||
Worked in events, Then the pandemic struck and I’ve landed back in the admin roles I did the degree to escape from!
I was originally a Maggie era child you don’t need to go to uni. Now however most jobs require a degree in the job advert!
It has opened some doors | |||
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"I work at a uni. Unless you did your degree in the last 8-10 years the university ‘experience’ (as our PR people now sell it) is possibly unrecognisable…" Can well imagine it has changed immensely since the 90s! Would you be so kind as to summarise the key changes? | |||
"I work at a uni. Unless you did your degree in the last 8-10 years the university ‘experience’ (as our PR people now sell it) is possibly unrecognisable… Can well imagine it has changed immensely since the 90s! Would you be so kind as to summarise the key changes? "The accommodation to begin with much of which is more like a penthouse than my memories of student digs. What hasn't changed is the timetables could still be condensed into two years (but that would be bad for business). | |||
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"If I won the lottery I’d go back and do more and more degrees in different subjects. I loved studying, strung it out for 4 years but then had to get a proper job. If I could just study for the sake of it I’d be in heaven. Curious: why is a lottery win needed? There is an endless supply of information out there to enable self study to much higher level than a degree (which is quite a basic level of speciality and depth for many subjects). Or is it a matter of time and preferring to be tutored in a class than to (self) study? I work full time. I’ve done professional qualifications while working so I’m very familiar with self study but it’s absolutely not the same as having the luxury of time to devote to learning, and to be learning from m from people who are experts in their field. That’s not the same as “being tutored” by which you seem to imply there’s some kind of spoon-feeding going on. That wasn’t my experience of my undergraduate or masters degrees. I couldn’t have replicated the learning I did there at home by myself on a computer after work. A degree that can be replicated entirely independently isn’t a good degree. I was not implying spoon feeding as you out it. Maybe the terminology has changed. I was taught through a combination of lectures, tutoring and self study when at Uni and Law School. Hence the use of the terminology. Most useful skill I learnt was how to structure own research. But I appreciate that there’s a big difference between academia and leaning skills for work. I see that as just investment of time. Unless the ROI is at least 3 to 5x in same amount of years then it is not a good investment. Better to buy in the knowledge. I’d quite like to do a Psychology degree one day. But something to do as a hobby in retirement. Same goes for Physics. But was far too thick to do that, hence why went into Law "That’s an interesting point about ROI. Often in learning nowadays, impact and destination has to be tracked. The reality is it happens years and years later. A degree is a foundation nothing else, it’s gets you an interview in your field that’s it. A masters might help you apply for more specialised jobs in your field or study phd. The real ROI is dependant on what you do with it. | |||
" ….. That’s an interesting point about ROI. Often in learning nowadays, impact and destination has to be tracked. The reality is it happens years and years later. A degree is a foundation nothing else, it’s gets you an interview in your field that’s it. A masters might help you apply for more specialised jobs in your field or study phd. The real ROI is dependant on what you do with it." Agree in general, the real ROI crystallises further on in career. It is really the opportunity cost of final years of work earnings that have to be considered - not the opportunity cost of the time of study. But to say a degree simply opens up an interview is over simplification. Not all degrees are equal in terms of earning potential. Yet there is a baseline cost for all degrees (then the longer, more complex courses will generally cost more). Also not all graduates are equal then it comes to “what you do with it” in years to come. So i concede it is far from a simple calculation! The real point however is that ‘some’ consideration has to be given these days to the decision. The ROI assessment was not where near as important 20 years ago. It is a complex formula no doubt. But one worth considering and exploration if someone’s spending 50k to 100k on study. The consideration (and point I was trying to make) is that it is not just for degrees, but any postgrad or enhanced study. E.g I concluded for myself that spending £50k on an MBA and giving up a year's earnings would not yield sufficient earnings uplift vs other less costly options (networking, self study of a specialist technical skill, gaining niche experience etc). Given age the timeframe to recover the outlay before retirement was too short. Therefore decision made not to invest. Maybe a niche example and very different to a 20 year old school leaver’s though process - but scale it up or down and the model works. Alternatively just plough on with no though. Takes your choices | |||
"I work at a uni. Unless you did your degree in the last 8-10 years the university ‘experience’ (as our PR people now sell it) is possibly unrecognisable… Can well imagine it has changed immensely since the 90s! Would you be so kind as to summarise the key changes? "Sorry was busy teaching all morning, heh. Main changes are around how people understand ‘value’. Before the £9k fees we were still ‘public’ institutions. there was less structured contact time and more amicable relationships between staff & students. Now we are businesses, we deliver a product and that is how unis and students see things. We teach more but less creatively and it’s more like school. The university ‘experience’ is a lifestyle choice. The degree is less about what you are interested in and more about having a certificate from the right sort of place. A significant number of the mostly young people who get a degree from my department are wealthy and already certain of a job. The degree is a staging post into adulthood, alongside the gap year and the various internships. If you don’t have that background it is possibly even more alienating than it was before. Other than that, the cost of living at university is offensive. Rent is astronomical. | |||
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"I work at a uni. Unless you did your degree in the last 8-10 years the university ‘experience’ (as our PR people now sell it) is possibly unrecognisable… Can well imagine it has changed immensely since the 90s! Would you be so kind as to summarise the key changes?
Sorry was busy teaching all morning, heh.
Main changes are around how people understand ‘value’. Before the £9k fees we were still ‘public’ institutions. there was less structured contact time and more amicable relationships between staff & students. Now we are businesses, we deliver a product and that is how unis and students see things. We teach more but less creatively and it’s more like school. The university ‘experience’ is a lifestyle choice. The degree is less about what you are interested in and more about having a certificate from the right sort of place. A significant number of the mostly young people who get a degree from my department are wealthy and already certain of a job. The degree is a staging post into adulthood, alongside the gap year and the various internships. If you don’t have that background it is possibly even more alienating than it was before.
Other than that, the cost of living at university is offensive. Rent is astronomical."Thank you for taking the time. Very appreciated. Interesting insight into how things are today. Cheers | |||
"I work at a uni. Unless you did your degree in the last 8-10 years the university ‘experience’ (as our PR people now sell it) is possibly unrecognisable… Can well imagine it has changed immensely since the 90s! Would you be so kind as to summarise the key changes?
Sorry was busy teaching all morning, heh.
Main changes are around how people understand ‘value’. Before the £9k fees we were still ‘public’ institutions. there was less structured contact time and more amicable relationships between staff & students. Now we are businesses, we deliver a product and that is how unis and students see things. We teach more but less creatively and it’s more like school. The university ‘experience’ is a lifestyle choice. The degree is less about what you are interested in and more about having a certificate from the right sort of place. A significant number of the mostly young people who get a degree from my department are wealthy and already certain of a job. The degree is a staging post into adulthood, alongside the gap year and the various internships. If you don’t have that background it is possibly even more alienating than it was before.
Other than that, the cost of living at university is offensive. Rent is astronomical.
Thank you for taking the time. Very appreciated. Interesting insight into how things are today. Cheers "Hah, no worries. Sorry if it’s a little jaded. I still love my job and we do get some fantastic students. University still has the potential to change lives, widen horizons. That’s what keeps me going | |||
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"I started uni at 37 after thinking I wasn't smart enough to get in " Glad you took the chance hope you enjoy it! | |||
"I work at a uni. Unless you did your degree in the last 8-10 years the university ‘experience’ (as our PR people now sell it) is possibly unrecognisable… Can well imagine it has changed immensely since the 90s! Would you be so kind as to summarise the key changes?
Sorry was busy teaching all morning, heh.
Main changes are around how people understand ‘value’. Before the £9k fees we were still ‘public’ institutions. there was less structured contact time and more amicable relationships between staff & students. Now we are businesses, we deliver a product and that is how unis and students see things. We teach more but less creatively and it’s more like school. The university ‘experience’ is a lifestyle choice. The degree is less about what you are interested in and more about having a certificate from the right sort of place. A significant number of the mostly young people who get a degree from my department are wealthy and already certain of a job. The degree is a staging post into adulthood, alongside the gap year and the various internships. If you don’t have that background it is possibly even more alienating than it was before.
Other than that, the cost of living at university is offensive. Rent is astronomical."Totally agree with this as someone who works in the sector too. It's become more school like teaching than research based teaching with help from lecturers. | |||
"I work at a uni. Unless you did your degree in the last 8-10 years the university ‘experience’ (as our PR people now sell it) is possibly unrecognisable… Can well imagine it has changed immensely since the 90s! Would you be so kind as to summarise the key changes?
Sorry was busy teaching all morning, heh.
Main changes are around how people understand ‘value’. Before the £9k fees we were still ‘public’ institutions. there was less structured contact time and more amicable relationships between staff & students. Now we are businesses, we deliver a product and that is how unis and students see things. We teach more but less creatively and it’s more like school. The university ‘experience’ is a lifestyle choice. The degree is less about what you are interested in and more about having a certificate from the right sort of place. A significant number of the mostly young people who get a degree from my department are wealthy and already certain of a job. The degree is a staging post into adulthood, alongside the gap year and the various internships. If you don’t have that background it is possibly even more alienating than it was before.
Other than that, the cost of living at university is offensive. Rent is astronomical."Interesting read. I recognise a fair amount of those points from my own time in university, in Dublin. Having worked hard to get a place, in some ways i felt that I was at a disadvantage from day 1, with groups of students from more established and more screening schools than mine all knowing one another and having readymade networks etc. And then plugging into the internships that were lined up for them, forcing them further advantages when it came to graduation and moving into the workplace. And when I got into the workplace, again half of the new joiners knew loads of people in the firm, knows some of the partners etc, so again I felt at a disadvantage. So many jobs were set aside for children of partners and children of senior clients, I was bloody lucky to get in. ... but still! Having the degree helped me get the job at a top firm in Dublin, and having that job on my cv meant that I was able to get into a top blue chip Wall Street form in London a few years later. That was the first point where I felt that I had a fair chance, nobody cared where I came from or what school I had been to, there were no established cliques, no exclusion. From rough area of Dublin to top end of Wall Street in 2 big steps. The degree made that possible ... decent grades in a tough subject proved that I had a decent level of intelligence and application. | |||
"I work at a uni. Unless you did your degree in the last 8-10 years the university ‘experience’ (as our PR people now sell it) is possibly unrecognisable… Can well imagine it has changed immensely since the 90s! Would you be so kind as to summarise the key changes?
Sorry was busy teaching all morning, heh.
Main changes are around how people understand ‘value’. Before the £9k fees we were still ‘public’ institutions. there was less structured contact time and more amicable relationships between staff & students. Now we are businesses, we deliver a product and that is how unis and students see things. We teach more but less creatively and it’s more like school. The university ‘experience’ is a lifestyle choice. The degree is less about what you are interested in and more about having a certificate from the right sort of place. A significant number of the mostly young people who get a degree from my department are wealthy and already certain of a job. The degree is a staging post into adulthood, alongside the gap year and the various internships. If you don’t have that background it is possibly even more alienating than it was before.
Other than that, the cost of living at university is offensive. Rent is astronomical.
Interesting read. I recognise a fair amount of those points from my own time in university, in Dublin.
Having worked hard to get a place, in some ways i felt that I was at a disadvantage from day 1, with groups of students from more established and more screening schools than mine all knowing one another and having readymade networks etc. And then plugging into the internships that were lined up for them, forcing them further advantages when it came to graduation and moving into the workplace.
And when I got into the workplace, again half of the new joiners knew loads of people in the firm, knows some of the partners etc, so again I felt at a disadvantage.
So many jobs were set aside for children of partners and children of senior clients, I was bloody lucky to get in.
... but still! Having the degree helped me get the job at a top firm in Dublin, and having that job on my cv meant that I was able to get into a top blue chip Wall Street form in London a few years later.
That was the first point where I felt that I had a fair chance, nobody cared where I came from or what school I had been to, there were no established cliques, no exclusion.
From rough area of Dublin to top end of Wall Street in 2 big steps. The degree made that possible ... decent grades in a tough subject proved that I had a decent level of intelligence and application. "The Irish Wolfhound of Wall Street!
Great story & congrats! Love reading stories like that about achievement. | |||
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"I work at a uni. Unless you did your degree in the last 8-10 years the university ‘experience’ (as our PR people now sell it) is possibly unrecognisable… Can well imagine it has changed immensely since the 90s! Would you be so kind as to summarise the key changes?
Sorry was busy teaching all morning, heh.
Main changes are around how people understand ‘value’. Before the £9k fees we were still ‘public’ institutions. there was less structured contact time and more amicable relationships between staff & students. Now we are businesses, we deliver a product and that is how unis and students see things. We teach more but less creatively and it’s more like school. The university ‘experience’ is a lifestyle choice. The degree is less about what you are interested in and more about having a certificate from the right sort of place. A significant number of the mostly young people who get a degree from my department are wealthy and already certain of a job. The degree is a staging post into adulthood, alongside the gap year and the various internships. If you don’t have that background it is possibly even more alienating than it was before.
Other than that, the cost of living at university is offensive. Rent is astronomical.
Interesting read. I recognise a fair amount of those points from my own time in university, in Dublin.
Having worked hard to get a place, in some ways i felt that I was at a disadvantage from day 1, with groups of students from more established and more screening schools than mine all knowing one another and having readymade networks etc. And then plugging into the internships that were lined up for them, forcing them further advantages when it came to graduation and moving into the workplace.
And when I got into the workplace, again half of the new joiners knew loads of people in the firm, knows some of the partners etc, so again I felt at a disadvantage.
So many jobs were set aside for children of partners and children of senior clients, I was bloody lucky to get in.
... but still! Having the degree helped me get the job at a top firm in Dublin, and having that job on my cv meant that I was able to get into a top blue chip Wall Street form in London a few years later.
That was the first point where I felt that I had a fair chance, nobody cared where I came from or what school I had been to, there were no established cliques, no exclusion.
From rough area of Dublin to top end of Wall Street in 2 big steps. The degree made that possible ... decent grades in a tough subject proved that I had a decent level of intelligence and application. "That is amazing! Just proves that motivation and passion are half of what you need to succeed... Same could be said of my boy, we live in the back arse of nowhere, he always schooled locally and went to the local college, before accepting a place to study Game Development and Maths....He was at a disadvantage too but worked hard, proved himself gained his degree and is now working for one of the most prestigious men in the gaming world, based in Edinburgh been there for 3 years and is now an established scripter/developer and high up in his company with a scope to go higher. There are opportunities out there and barriers can be overcome, depends how determined you are to overcome them | |||
"if i was to have my education all over again i would take a leaf from one my brothers books and read law at university with a view to being called to the bar. then after several years of adovcacy the ability to take the state, the government, the police, the forces, industry/big business etc etc to task whilst making it known that you do not need to pay for legal fees will earn you millions in capitulation payments without even needing to attend court in person. "Out of interest, does your brother belong to one of the inns? | |||
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"I work at a uni. Unless you did your degree in the last 8-10 years the university ‘experience’ (as our PR people now sell it) is possibly unrecognisable… Can well imagine it has changed immensely since the 90s! Would you be so kind as to summarise the key changes?
Sorry was busy teaching all morning, heh.
Main changes are around how people understand ‘value’. Before the £9k fees we were still ‘public’ institutions. there was less structured contact time and more amicable relationships between staff & students. Now we are businesses, we deliver a product and that is how unis and students see things. We teach more but less creatively and it’s more like school. The university ‘experience’ is a lifestyle choice. The degree is less about what you are interested in and more about having a certificate from the right sort of place. A significant number of the mostly young people who get a degree from my department are wealthy and already certain of a job. The degree is a staging post into adulthood, alongside the gap year and the various internships. If you don’t have that background it is possibly even more alienating than it was before.
Other than that, the cost of living at university is offensive. Rent is astronomical.
Interesting read. I recognise a fair amount of those points from my own time in university, in Dublin.
Having worked hard to get a place, in some ways i felt that I was at a disadvantage from day 1, with groups of students from more established and more screening schools than mine all knowing one another and having readymade networks etc. And then plugging into the internships that were lined up for them, forcing them further advantages when it came to graduation and moving into the workplace.
And when I got into the workplace, again half of the new joiners knew loads of people in the firm, knows some of the partners etc, so again I felt at a disadvantage.
So many jobs were set aside for children of partners and children of senior clients, I was bloody lucky to get in.
... but still! Having the degree helped me get the job at a top firm in Dublin, and having that job on my cv meant that I was able to get into a top blue chip Wall Street form in London a few years later.
That was the first point where I felt that I had a fair chance, nobody cared where I came from or what school I had been to, there were no established cliques, no exclusion.
From rough area of Dublin to top end of Wall Street in 2 big steps. The degree made that possible ... decent grades in a tough subject proved that I had a decent level of intelligence and application.
The Irish Wolfhound of Wall Street!
Great story & congrats! Love reading stories like that about achievement."Cheers! Just saying that education / degree was a great stepping stone, even though it still felt like others had an easier park in front of them at the time ... and still felt a bit that way when I started in the workplace. My path might have been a little harder, but it was still a good path. And like I say, once I got to London and New York, I no longer felt that way ... much fairer. | |||
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"I work at a uni. Unless you did your degree in the last 8-10 years the university ‘experience’ (as our PR people now sell it) is possibly unrecognisable… Can well imagine it has changed immensely since the 90s! Would you be so kind as to summarise the key changes?
Sorry was busy teaching all morning, heh.
Main changes are around how people understand ‘value’. Before the £9k fees we were still ‘public’ institutions. there was less structured contact time and more amicable relationships between staff & students. Now we are businesses, we deliver a product and that is how unis and students see things. We teach more but less creatively and it’s more like school. The university ‘experience’ is a lifestyle choice. The degree is less about what you are interested in and more about having a certificate from the right sort of place. A significant number of the mostly young people who get a degree from my department are wealthy and already certain of a job. The degree is a staging post into adulthood, alongside the gap year and the various internships. If you don’t have that background it is possibly even more alienating than it was before.
Other than that, the cost of living at university is offensive. Rent is astronomical.
Interesting read. I recognise a fair amount of those points from my own time in university, in Dublin.
Having worked hard to get a place, in some ways i felt that I was at a disadvantage from day 1, with groups of students from more established and more screening schools than mine all knowing one another and having readymade networks etc. And then plugging into the internships that were lined up for them, forcing them further advantages when it came to graduation and moving into the workplace.
And when I got into the workplace, again half of the new joiners knew loads of people in the firm, knows some of the partners etc, so again I felt at a disadvantage.
So many jobs were set aside for children of partners and children of senior clients, I was bloody lucky to get in.
... but still! Having the degree helped me get the job at a top firm in Dublin, and having that job on my cv meant that I was able to get into a top blue chip Wall Street form in London a few years later.
That was the first point where I felt that I had a fair chance, nobody cared where I came from or what school I had been to, there were no established cliques, no exclusion.
From rough area of Dublin to top end of Wall Street in 2 big steps. The degree made that possible ... decent grades in a tough subject proved that I had a decent level of intelligence and application.
That is amazing! Just proves that motivation and passion are half of what you need to succeed...
Same could be said of my boy, we live in the back arse of nowhere, he always schooled locally and went to the local college, before accepting a place to study Game Development and Maths....He was at a disadvantage too but worked hard, proved himself gained his degree and is now working for one of the most prestigious men in the gaming world, based in Edinburgh been there for 3 years and is now an established scripter/developer and high up in his company with a scope to go higher.
There are opportunities out there and barriers can be overcome, depends how determined you are to overcome them"Congrats to your son. And being in the gaming industry, couldn’t be much better placed than being in Scotland ... huge in Dundee, isn’t it? | |||
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"Recently completed a PhD in industrial relations "That’ll strike a chord with the unions | |||
"Recently completed a PhD in industrial relations
That’ll strike a chord with the unions "They should be listening to Ms Sparkles | |||
"Recently completed a PhD in industrial relations
That’ll strike a chord with the unions "Are the relations set to music? | |||
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"Recently completed a PhD in industrial relations
That’ll strike a chord with the unions
Are the relations set to music? "Maybe?
Pun: Accord / a chord.
noun
an official agreement or treaty.
"opposition groups refused to sign the accord" | |||
"Recently completed a PhD in industrial relations
That’ll strike a chord with the unions
Are the relations set to music?
Maybe?
Pun: Accord / a chord.
noun
an official agreement or treaty.
"opposition groups refused to sign the accord" "I prefer a positive accord - the accordion. I'm here all week | |||
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"I’ve done my BSc, MSc and doctorate in psychology. I’m also now a visiting lecturer at two universities" Good work. Make sure they pay you! Most unis will rinse you for what they can and permanent staff rapidly forget what it’s like on temporary contracts | |||
"Recently completed a PhD in industrial relations "Please can you renegotiate my pension | |||
"I’ve done my BSc, MSc and doctorate in psychology. I’m also now a visiting lecturer at two universities Good work. Make sure they pay you! Most unis will rinse you for what they can and permanent staff rapidly forget what it’s like on temporary contracts" I’ve actually never had any issues with the two unis I regularly lecture in. One uni I did a guest lecture took a year to pay me (safe to say I didn’t go back) | |||
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"I work at a uni. Unless you did your degree in the last 8-10 years the university ‘experience’ (as our PR people now sell it) is possibly unrecognisable… Can well imagine it has changed immensely since the 90s! Would you be so kind as to summarise the key changes?
Sorry was busy teaching all morning, heh.
Main changes are around how people understand ‘value’. Before the £9k fees we were still ‘public’ institutions. there was less structured contact time and more amicable relationships between staff & students. Now we are businesses, we deliver a product and that is how unis and students see things. We teach more but less creatively and it’s more like school. The university ‘experience’ is a lifestyle choice. The degree is less about what you are interested in and more about having a certificate from the right sort of place. A significant number of the mostly young people who get a degree from my department are wealthy and already certain of a job. The degree is a staging post into adulthood, alongside the gap year and the various internships. If you don’t have that background it is possibly even more alienating than it was before.
Other than that, the cost of living at university is offensive. Rent is astronomical.
Interesting read. I recognise a fair amount of those points from my own time in university, in Dublin.
Having worked hard to get a place, in some ways i felt that I was at a disadvantage from day 1, with groups of students from more established and more screening schools than mine all knowing one another and having readymade networks etc. And then plugging into the internships that were lined up for them, forcing them further advantages when it came to graduation and moving into the workplace.
And when I got into the workplace, again half of the new joiners knew loads of people in the firm, knows some of the partners etc, so again I felt at a disadvantage.
So many jobs were set aside for children of partners and children of senior clients, I was bloody lucky to get in.
... but still! Having the degree helped me get the job at a top firm in Dublin, and having that job on my cv meant that I was able to get into a top blue chip Wall Street form in London a few years later.
That was the first point where I felt that I had a fair chance, nobody cared where I came from or what school I had been to, there were no established cliques, no exclusion.
From rough area of Dublin to top end of Wall Street in 2 big steps. The degree made that possible ... decent grades in a tough subject proved that I had a decent level of intelligence and application.
That is amazing! Just proves that motivation and passion are half of what you need to succeed...
Same could be said of my boy, we live in the back arse of nowhere, he always schooled locally and went to the local college, before accepting a place to study Game Development and Maths....He was at a disadvantage too but worked hard, proved himself gained his degree and is now working for one of the most prestigious men in the gaming world, based in Edinburgh been there for 3 years and is now an established scripter/developer and high up in his company with a scope to go higher.
There are opportunities out there and barriers can be overcome, depends how determined you are to overcome them
Congrats to your son. And being in the gaming industry, couldn’t be much better placed than being in Scotland ... huge in Dundee, isn’t it? "Thank you, Dundee is indeed home of Minecraft, huge gaming community. My boy now supports the students in Dundee at his old University and Edinburgh as an industry mentor, he also organises LAN parties for people interested in gaming, kids and adults. Always really popular. He is passionate about instilling his knowledge and hopes to lecture once he has finished his industry career It's definitely given him opportunities he would never of been able to access, they were supportive....One of his tutors knew he had got a job before he did because a few hours after being offered the job his tutor messaged him congratulating him on being successful My boy works for Ex Rockstar president Leslie Benzies, the guy personally responsible for Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption...He turned down a job at Rockstar to work at Benzies company and now works directly with him, he's asked him to accompany him to China and Los Angeles later on in the year... And this was on top of suffering with his mental health during the first year, he lost his grandparents 6 months apart, failed his exams and had a breakdown, the University and out GP was amazing! Supported him, he resat the first year and ended up with distinctions. Never looked back... People might hate that I bang on about him but I really don't care, he fought his demons and worked hard to achieve...Determination, dedication in a supportive nurturing environment meant he succeeded | |||
"I work at a uni. Unless you did your degree in the last 8-10 years the university ‘experience’ (as our PR people now sell it) is possibly unrecognisable… Can well imagine it has changed immensely since the 90s! Would you be so kind as to summarise the key changes?
Sorry was busy teaching all morning, heh.
Main changes are around how people understand ‘value’. Before the £9k fees we were still ‘public’ institutions. there was less structured contact time and more amicable relationships between staff & students. Now we are businesses, we deliver a product and that is how unis and students see things. We teach more but less creatively and it’s more like school. The university ‘experience’ is a lifestyle choice. The degree is less about what you are interested in and more about having a certificate from the right sort of place. A significant number of the mostly young people who get a degree from my department are wealthy and already certain of a job. The degree is a staging post into adulthood, alongside the gap year and the various internships. If you don’t have that background it is possibly even more alienating than it was before.
Other than that, the cost of living at university is offensive. Rent is astronomical.
Interesting read. I recognise a fair amount of those points from my own time in university, in Dublin.
Having worked hard to get a place, in some ways i felt that I was at a disadvantage from day 1, with groups of students from more established and more screening schools than mine all knowing one another and having readymade networks etc. And then plugging into the internships that were lined up for them, forcing them further advantages when it came to graduation and moving into the workplace.
And when I got into the workplace, again half of the new joiners knew loads of people in the firm, knows some of the partners etc, so again I felt at a disadvantage.
So many jobs were set aside for children of partners and children of senior clients, I was bloody lucky to get in.
... but still! Having the degree helped me get the job at a top firm in Dublin, and having that job on my cv meant that I was able to get into a top blue chip Wall Street form in London a few years later.
That was the first point where I felt that I had a fair chance, nobody cared where I came from or what school I had been to, there were no established cliques, no exclusion.
From rough area of Dublin to top end of Wall Street in 2 big steps. The degree made that possible ... decent grades in a tough subject proved that I had a decent level of intelligence and application.
That is amazing! Just proves that motivation and passion are half of what you need to succeed...
Same could be said of my boy, we live in the back arse of nowhere, he always schooled locally and went to the local college, before accepting a place to study Game Development and Maths....He was at a disadvantage too but worked hard, proved himself gained his degree and is now working for one of the most prestigious men in the gaming world, based in Edinburgh been there for 3 years and is now an established scripter/developer and high up in his company with a scope to go higher.
There are opportunities out there and barriers can be overcome, depends how determined you are to overcome them
Congrats to your son. And being in the gaming industry, couldn’t be much better placed than being in Scotland ... huge in Dundee, isn’t it?
Thank you, Dundee is indeed home of Minecraft, huge gaming community. My boy now supports the students in Dundee at his old University and Edinburgh as an industry mentor, he also organises LAN parties for people interested in gaming, kids and adults. Always really popular. He is passionate about instilling his knowledge and hopes to lecture once he has finished his industry career
It's definitely given him opportunities he would never of been able to access, they were supportive....One of his tutors knew he had got a job before he did because a few hours after being offered the job his tutor messaged him congratulating him on being successful
My boy works for Ex Rockstar president Leslie Benzies, the guy personally responsible for Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption...He turned down a job at Rockstar to work at Benzies company and now works directly with him, he's asked him to accompany him to China and Los Angeles later on in the year...
And this was on top of suffering with his mental health during the first year, he lost his grandparents 6 months apart, failed his exams and had a breakdown, the University and out GP was amazing! Supported him, he resat the first year and ended up with distinctions. Never looked back...
People might hate that I bang on about him but I really don't care, he fought his demons and worked hard to achieve...Determination, dedication in a supportive nurturing environment meant he succeeded "The levels of support and perseverance leap out of that post. Great to see. I worked in industries that chewed people up and spat them out. Colleagues who failed the professional accounting exams when I was a trainee lost their jobs, out on the street. And banking was worse. So great to read about an industry where people are given second chances, support when they need it, and opportunities when the flourish. And great to read how supportive and directly involved the university were too. And family, of course, the ones that are there every single step of the way! | |||
"I work at a uni. Unless you did your degree in the last 8-10 years the university ‘experience’ (as our PR people now sell it) is possibly unrecognisable… Can well imagine it has changed immensely since the 90s! Would you be so kind as to summarise the key changes?
Sorry was busy teaching all morning, heh.
Main changes are around how people understand ‘value’. Before the £9k fees we were still ‘public’ institutions. there was less structured contact time and more amicable relationships between staff & students. Now we are businesses, we deliver a product and that is how unis and students see things. We teach more but less creatively and it’s more like school. The university ‘experience’ is a lifestyle choice. The degree is less about what you are interested in and more about having a certificate from the right sort of place. A significant number of the mostly young people who get a degree from my department are wealthy and already certain of a job. The degree is a staging post into adulthood, alongside the gap year and the various internships. If you don’t have that background it is possibly even more alienating than it was before.
Other than that, the cost of living at university is offensive. Rent is astronomical.
Interesting read. I recognise a fair amount of those points from my own time in university, in Dublin.
Having worked hard to get a place, in some ways i felt that I was at a disadvantage from day 1, with groups of students from more established and more screening schools than mine all knowing one another and having readymade networks etc. And then plugging into the internships that were lined up for them, forcing them further advantages when it came to graduation and moving into the workplace.
And when I got into the workplace, again half of the new joiners knew loads of people in the firm, knows some of the partners etc, so again I felt at a disadvantage.
So many jobs were set aside for children of partners and children of senior clients, I was bloody lucky to get in.
... but still! Having the degree helped me get the job at a top firm in Dublin, and having that job on my cv meant that I was able to get into a top blue chip Wall Street form in London a few years later.
That was the first point where I felt that I had a fair chance, nobody cared where I came from or what school I had been to, there were no established cliques, no exclusion.
From rough area of Dublin to top end of Wall Street in 2 big steps. The degree made that possible ... decent grades in a tough subject proved that I had a decent level of intelligence and application.
That is amazing! Just proves that motivation and passion are half of what you need to succeed...
Same could be said of my boy, we live in the back arse of nowhere, he always schooled locally and went to the local college, before accepting a place to study Game Development and Maths....He was at a disadvantage too but worked hard, proved himself gained his degree and is now working for one of the most prestigious men in the gaming world, based in Edinburgh been there for 3 years and is now an established scripter/developer and high up in his company with a scope to go higher.
There are opportunities out there and barriers can be overcome, depends how determined you are to overcome them
Congrats to your son. And being in the gaming industry, couldn’t be much better placed than being in Scotland ... huge in Dundee, isn’t it?
Thank you, Dundee is indeed home of Minecraft, huge gaming community. My boy now supports the students in Dundee at his old University and Edinburgh as an industry mentor, he also organises LAN parties for people interested in gaming, kids and adults. Always really popular. He is passionate about instilling his knowledge and hopes to lecture once he has finished his industry career
It's definitely given him opportunities he would never of been able to access, they were supportive....One of his tutors knew he had got a job before he did because a few hours after being offered the job his tutor messaged him congratulating him on being successful
My boy works for Ex Rockstar president Leslie Benzies, the guy personally responsible for Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption...He turned down a job at Rockstar to work at Benzies company and now works directly with him, he's asked him to accompany him to China and Los Angeles later on in the year...
And this was on top of suffering with his mental health during the first year, he lost his grandparents 6 months apart, failed his exams and had a breakdown, the University and out GP was amazing! Supported him, he resat the first year and ended up with distinctions. Never looked back...
People might hate that I bang on about him but I really don't care, he fought his demons and worked hard to achieve...Determination, dedication in a supportive nurturing environment meant he succeeded
The levels of support and perseverance leap out of that post. Great to see. I worked in industries that chewed people up and spat them out. Colleagues who failed the professional accounting exams when I was a trainee lost their jobs, out on the street. And banking was worse.
So great to read about an industry where people are given second chances, support when they need it, and opportunities when the flourish.
And great to read how supportive and directly involved the university were too.
And family, of course, the ones that are there every single step of the way! "This is the thing he was worried about at the bigger company, very much 'you are a number' culture, with crap pay because 'you have the privilege of working for Rockstar' he wanted more. Benzies has created a nurturing environment where everyone is valued and appreciated for the their individualities as well as their skillset, 3 years in and he is still so passionate about what he does and has moved quickly up the ranks and even has shares in the company. Today he is wall to wall interviewing for the next wave of Scripters coming through...He's found his place for sure The Gaming industry is a tough one to crack, but once your in the possibilities are endless | |||
