FabSwingers.com > Forums > The Lounge > School/college waste of time?

School/college waste of time?

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

In terms of getting a job, have our times at school and college been helpful in getting a job we wanted or have they been a waste of time?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I wouldn't have the job I have without education.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

Is the only purpose of school and college to get a job?

I know it is a big factor - our education system is geared to getting people into jobs - but it's not everything.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I think it is now more important than ever to be honest!

When I left school and the Generations before me it was perfectly possible to start at the bottom without any qualifications and work your way up and also have a job for life.

Although this is still possible it is incredibly difficult and very rare.

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By *amissCouple over a year ago

chelmsford

"In terms of getting a job, have our times at school and college been helpful in getting a job we wanted or have they been a waste of time?"

Mine certainly was, had to have the qualifications and exam results to apply for my job

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

3 years at college studying engineering, that was a big waste of time. Wishing I took a apprenticeship instead.

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By *lceeWoman over a year ago

Leeds

Couldn’t have got the job I’m in now, which I love, without the education I received. It’s nothing to do with the courses but it taught me a structured way of working that has allowed me to progress while evidencing my ability to learn and adapt.

I’m not saying that other routes wouldn’t have also allowed me to do the same but the job I have required a degree as one of its base requirements. Plus...I loved being in education.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I think you will get some very different answers depending on sector and ‘level’ people have reached or aspire to.

In some traditional professions you simply can not achieve them without a formal education, similarly there are only a minority of jobs which you can get into without some form of grade for English and maths.

There will be some people who will think they can do their job without their school education, but would they have got them in the first place without it, and if it involves any form of numbers or writing or even reading then yes you need your education.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I don’t think any of the jobs I’ve ever had in the past has ever been useful due to my schooling, college maybe when I did a housekeeping nvq many years ago.

I do think schools should do more practical based lessons.

Danish x

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

For me my shook days were a waste of time. I wasn't particularly academic and didn't enjoy school at all so I left with hardly any qualifications. This was mainly due to being dyslexic which wasn't picked up. Only found this out much later in life.

Once I left school I went to collage and did various courses and the things that I wanted to do that interested and stimulated me. Eventually I got into University in my 30's and this led to better things.

Have had a lot of varied and unusual jobs as a result over the years until I settled down. I now work in the egaming industry.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Everything I need to do my job was learnt after school, once I was old enough to actually know what I wanted to do with my life, including "unlearning" the anxiety and shyness that school gave me.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I thought I'd ask as with me working in a cinema for over 13 years, I started asking myself "Did I learn anything in school that helped get this job?"

The more I thought about it, the more I wasn't so sure.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"I thought I'd ask as with me working in a cinema for over 13 years, I started asking myself "Did I learn anything in school that helped get this job?"

The more I thought about it, the more I wasn't so sure."

Did school help you to learn how to put up with annoying people you don't really like? If so, it may have helped.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"I thought I'd ask as with me working in a cinema for over 13 years, I started asking myself "Did I learn anything in school that helped get this job?"

The more I thought about it, the more I wasn't so sure.

Did school help you to learn how to put up with annoying people you don't really like? If so, it may have helped.

I've no idea to be honest

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Couldn't do my job without education. I'm pushing my son to get the best education and grades he can but he wants to go to uni to follow his career goals

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I thought I'd ask as with me working in a cinema for over 13 years, I started asking myself "Did I learn anything in school that helped get this job?"

The more I thought about it, the more I wasn't so sure."

The only thing I learnt at school which stuck with me was bizzarly from woodwork.

We had a substitute teacher and I wasn't very good at woodwork and I was having a bit of trouble sanding down a jewellery box. When I asked the teaching for advice he just said "I think you'll have to just persevere"

For some reason I've just persevered at everything as best I could. Which has worked out ok for me.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"I thought I'd ask as with me working in a cinema for over 13 years, I started asking myself "Did I learn anything in school that helped get this job?"

The more I thought about it, the more I wasn't so sure.

Did school help you to learn how to put up with annoying people you don't really like? If so, it may have helped.

I've no idea to be honest"

Would you have had the chance to develop the same interpersonal skills if you had been home-schooled?

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"I thought I'd ask as with me working in a cinema for over 13 years, I started asking myself "Did I learn anything in school that helped get this job?"

The more I thought about it, the more I wasn't so sure.

The only thing I learnt at school which stuck with me was bizzarly from woodwork.

For some reason I've just persevered at everything as best I could. Which has worked out ok for me."

That's a great lesson.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I thought I'd ask as with me working in a cinema for over 13 years, I started asking myself "Did I learn anything in school that helped get this job?"

The more I thought about it, the more I wasn't so sure.

The only thing I learnt at school which stuck with me was bizzarly from woodwork.

For some reason I've just persevered at everything as best I could. Which has worked out ok for me."

Well I'm into retail so no school isn't very helpful college maybe if you want to be manager even with that some companies train you into that position hey captain did ya miss me lol

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"I thought I'd ask as with me working in a cinema for over 13 years, I started asking myself "Did I learn anything in school that helped get this job?"

The more I thought about it, the more I wasn't so sure.

Did school help you to learn how to put up with annoying people you don't really like? If so, it may have helped.

I've no idea to be honest

Would you have had the chance to develop the same interpersonal skills if you had been home-schooled?

Probably not

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I thought I'd ask as with me working in a cinema for over 13 years, I started asking myself "Did I learn anything in school that helped get this job?"

The more I thought about it, the more I wasn't so sure.

The only thing I learnt at school which stuck with me was bizzarly from woodwork.

For some reason I've just persevered at everything as best I could. Which has worked out ok for me.

Well I'm into retail so no school isn't very helpful college maybe if you want to be manager even with that some companies train you into that position hey captain did ya miss me lol"

I was once a Sheppard. Didn't do that at school.

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By *naswingdressWoman over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

I think learning how to think about things, construct an argument, write, do some maths, and research are useful skills. Not just for higher level jobs, but being able to decide whether to buy one type of product or another, deciding your politics, making sense of the world.

I'm not sure how many people get these things from their education, though.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"3 years at college studying engineering, that was a big waste of time. Wishing I took a apprenticeship instead. "

I took an apprenticeship which stood me in good stead for about thirty years,but my trade has pretty much dissapered so am now in a different line of work.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I think learning how to think about things, construct an argument, write, do some maths, and research are useful skills. Not just for higher level jobs, but being able to decide whether to buy one type of product or another, deciding your politics, making sense of the world.

I'm not sure how many people get these things from their education, though. "

Not a lot like where are u going to see for example a+b= unless ur trying to be a maths genius lol sure look at the people that make YouTube videos they actually make a living off that with little education I know a YouTube's that actually dropped out of school early and is making way more than I could lol

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

When I was a kid, I wanted to be an actor, I got a C for Drama in my GCSEs while everything else was Es, Fs and Gs.

I went to college for 3 years and passed both Drama courses.

I did apply to go to Uni to do more courses on performing arts but didn't get in.

Many years later, I decided to give up wanting to be an actor and felt rather down as it felt like everything I had done at school and college was for nothing. I've moved on since then as I learned that despite what I learned and achieved at school and college, the chances of being an actor were very very low.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

School yes, for the basics and the socialising - kids need to interact with each other in their formative years. College or Uni I only think is worth it if you're heading toward a specific goal and you need a bit of paper to wave at a particular career path.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"When I was a kid, I wanted to be an actor, I got a C for Drama in my GCSEs while everything else was Es, Fs and Gs.

I went to college for 3 years and passed both Drama courses.

I did apply to go to Uni to do more courses on performing arts but didn't get in.

You're not alone in having that dream and feeling let down and disappointed you didn't achieve it.

I am friends with someone who was a child actor. They had her own show. They went to a stage school. They now regrets that they weren't given the education for anything other than passing auditions, singing, dancing and acting. Their actor career is limited and they need to use other skills to pay the bills. Yet, they had their dream.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

The subjects I did at school helped me in a round about way but not directly. I learned a lot more through work but my job bears no resemblance to anything I did in school.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"3 years at college studying engineering, that was a big waste of time. Wishing I took a apprenticeship instead.

I took an apprenticeship which stood me in good stead for about thirty years,but my trade has pretty much dissapered so am now in a different line of work."
the thing is education doesn't count as experience... You've probably heard the whole, can't get the job because they need experience but you can't get the experience because you can't get the job.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

The biggest waste of education was R.E ... 3 lessons a week for something useless that time could of been 3 hours spent on something more important. Religion has no part in my life and never will.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"The subjects I did at school helped me in a round about way but not directly. I learned a lot more through work but my job bears no resemblance to anything I did in school.

Most jobs don't. The education system we have is geared at the world of work now and tries to guess what it will be in the future. It's usually wrong and by the time you leave the world has moved on.

We had typewriters at school and I entered a world of work with word processors and, very quickly, computers. I didn't do typing at school either. The boys school didn't even bother with teaching any of them to type yet quite a lot of their jobs would involve typing.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"When I was a kid, I wanted to be an actor, I got a C for Drama in my GCSEs while everything else was Es, Fs and Gs.

I went to college for 3 years and passed both Drama courses.

I did apply to go to Uni to do more courses on performing arts but didn't get in.

You're not alone in having that dream and feeling let down and disappointed you didn't achieve it.

That sucks that they didn't get the education they needed.

I once applied for a casting agency only to find it was a con. I even applied for Britain's Got Talent in 2011 to try at singing and was fed nothing but lies by the producers.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I think lots of you are missing the point. Did school spoon feed you exactly what you needed to do your current or past jobs? Very unlikely. How would it, it’s very much a general education.

On the most basic level did school give you the skills to add and subtract so you can even give out the correct change or know how much money someone has given you. Did it teach you to write in the format you are now achieving on here?

It should also have given you a wide range of social skills and experiences that will have shaped your ability in the work place (both positively and negatively).

The more interesting questions on school are do you look back in it and think you should have applied yourself more to gain more benerfit?

Did your experience at school miss out on bits that you would fundamentally wish you had been taught in addition?

I find one of the most fascinating thing about Facebook seeing how those who were maybe considered to be the very cool at school and where they are with their lives and conversely those that were considered geeky or overly timid and where they are now as well.

In some cases it goes to show what a bad judge of character role models children area.

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By *naswingdressWoman over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

I'm not sure how many people get these things from their education, though.

I was thinking more like working out the significance of "30% less sugar" claims on the food you're buying. Or perhaps whether a "study" in an advert is meaningful or not. (or whether they're dressing up claims using misleading language)

Education, for me, is about putting down a foundation to live your best life. Not just about money.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

2 years full-time college, 3 years part time professional qualification - yes worked for me, as it got me where I wanted to be in life. Education isn't just about academic subjects though. Things like social skills are vital too.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

That sucks that they didn't get the education they needed.

I once applied for a casting agency only to find it was a con. I even applied for Britain's Got Talent in 2011 to try at singing and was fed nothing but lies by the producers."

Television talent show producers are there to make television, not to consider you as an individual. It's brutal. If you're awful and embarrassing they want you. If you're great but have little in the way of an interesting story then they're not that interested unless they need to fill the numbers for certain types of acts.

Have you looked at doing work as a 'supporting artist' (extra)?

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

That sucks that they didn't get the education they needed.

I once applied for a casting agency only to find it was a con. I even applied for Britain's Got Talent in 2011 to try at singing and was fed nothing but lies by the producers.

Have you looked at doing work as a 'supporting artist' (extra)?"

I tried that through finding a casting agency and it didn't work.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"I think lots of you are missing the point. Did school spoon feed you exactly what you needed to do your current or past jobs? Very unlikely. How would it, it’s very much a general education.

It should also have given you a wide range of social skills and experiences that will have shaped your ability in the work place (both positively and negatively).

The more interesting questions on school are do you look back in it and think you should have applied yourself more to gain more benerfit?

Did your experience at school miss out on bits that you would fundamentally wish you had been taught in addition?

In some cases it goes to show what a bad judge of character role models children area."

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

That sucks that they didn't get the education they needed.

I once applied for a casting agency only to find it was a con. I even applied for Britain's Got Talent in 2011 to try at singing and was fed nothing but lies by the producers.

Have you looked at doing work as a 'supporting artist' (extra)?

I tried that through finding a casting agency and it didn't work."

I actually came up with a conclusion that in talent shows only 5% of people who audition make it through to the live auditions and the other 95% are professionals fasttracked by talent scouts. That's why I always see them as fake.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"The subjects I did at school helped me in a round about way but not directly. I learned a lot more through work but my job bears no resemblance to anything I did in school.

Most jobs don't. The education system we have is geared at the world of work now and tries to guess what it will be in the future. It's usually wrong and by the time you leave the world has moved on.

We didn't have typewriters or computers, I taught myself really. (I feel so old now!) Kids today are at a definite advantage on that front.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"The subjects I did at school helped me in a round about way but not directly. I learned a lot more through work but my job bears no resemblance to anything I did in school.

Most jobs don't. The education system we have is geared at the world of work now and tries to guess what it will be in the future. It's usually wrong and by the time you leave the world has moved on.

We didn't have typewriters or computers, I taught myself really. (I feel so old now!) Kids today are at a definite advantage on that front. "

Only if that's what's needed. If all the tech fails will they be able to plough a field?

We just all do the best we can and, if we have an ounce of common sense, we adapt and keep learning.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I think lots of you are missing the point. Did school spoon feed you exactly what you needed to do your current or past jobs? Very unlikely. How would it, it’s very much a general education.

It should also have given you a wide range of social skills and experiences that will have shaped your ability in the work place (both positively and negatively).

The more interesting questions on school are do you look back in it and think you should have applied yourself more to gain more benerfit?

Did your experience at school miss out on bits that you would fundamentally wish you had been taught in addition?

In some cases it goes to show what a bad judge of character role models children area."

The OP was about the jobs we do so that's why people are answering in that way.

I really like your post, I think you make great points. A lot of my life skills were learned at school exactly as you say. Such as sorting change, figuring out bills, cooking and following recipes. School wasn't a waste of time for me, even though I thought it was at the time.

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By *est Wales WifeCouple over a year ago

Near Carmarthen

School and college aren't about education they are about turning out good, compliant consumer fodder for the corporations; people who comply with the needs of the system and thus don't look at what is really going on.

“Students who acquire large debts putting themselves through college are unlikely to think about changing society. When you trap people in a system of debt they can’t afford the time to think. Tuition Fee increases are a disciplinary technique, and by the time students graduate, they are not only loaded with debt, but have also internalized the disciplinarian culture. This makes them efficient components of the consumer economy.”

? Noam Chomsky

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By *naswingdressWoman over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

"School and college aren't about education they are about turning out good, compliant consumer fodder for the corporations; people who comply with the needs of the system and thus don't look at what is really going on.

? Noam Chomsky"

But that's about fees, not about education. Education can be about asking questions and implementing change. High fees keep people compliant.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Education is useful in its own right. However I wouldn’t be doing what I do without my school and Uni education.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

? Noam Chomsky"

A partial truth

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By *htcMan over a year ago

school absolutely nothing useful, the biggest waste of time was secondary school.

college some has

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By *cgkcCouple over a year ago

Hitchin

I'm not sure how many people get these things from their education, though. "

Explicitly teaching metacognition is a high-impact strategy that makes a massive difference to attainment.

Not sure how common it is in schools, but it should be.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I wonder if anyone in general who has worked hard at school and college had a moment where they felt like a failure and everything they worked for was for nothing when they didn't get the job they studied for.

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By *naswingdressWoman over a year ago

Manchester (she/her)

"I wonder if anyone in general who has worked hard at school and college had a moment where they felt like a failure and everything they worked for was for nothing when they didn't get the job they studied for."

Definitely!

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Definitely! "

I thought so as even I have felt like this at one point.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Definitely! "

Would imagine almost everyone to some degree in their lives. But most people will actually eventually look at it not as they worked for everything for nothing but more should they have worked even harder to achieve more.

Very very few people look back on something and thing I wish I hadn’t applied myself as well as I did

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"school absolutely nothing useful, the biggest waste of time was secondary school.

college some has"

I would argue that had you not gone to school, you wouldn't have been able to make this post. Or read any of the others

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Definitely!

Very very few people look back on something and thing I wish I hadn’t applied myself as well as I did "

I reckon when it comes to career jobs, people in general should keep their expectations low so they won't be disappointed.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Definitely!

Very very few people look back on something and thing I wish I hadn’t applied myself as well as I did

I reckon when it comes to career jobs, people in general should keep their expectations low so they won't be disappointed. "

That paragraph there highlights the failures of the education system beyond pure academia.

More work needs to be done on raising expectation and mobility. That does not mean everyone can be a Dr or lawyer or go to university. It’s that everyone gets the opportunity and has the desire, to fulfill their potential and takes self worth from what ever that may be.

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By *ambornemanMan over a year ago

In your town now

Yep it's all a complete waste of time

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Having had an "interesting" upbringing school was never a priority for me or my parents but it did teach me how others lived which was invaluable.

I think hard work, a positive mind and luck play a part in how well you progress. Having said that I stress to all young people I meet how important it is.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"Having had an "interesting" upbringing school was never a priority for me or my parents but it did teach me how others lived which was invaluable.

I think hard work, a positive mind and luck play a part in how well you progress. Having said that I stress to all young people I meet how important it is. "

I agree but I think support is essential as well.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Definitely!

Very very few people look back on something and thing I wish I hadn’t applied myself as well as I did

I reckon when it comes to career jobs, people in general should keep their expectations low so they won't be disappointed.

That paragraph there highlights the failures of the education system beyond pure academia.

When it comes to getting the opportunity to fulfill their potential, I don't think everyone will be given that chance. I know I haven't nor will I ever.

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By *ophieslutTV/TS over a year ago

Central

Invaluable. I generally think that children are better educated in a school environment than at home, for example - due to fantastic development opportunities that we get, learning how to get along with others that we have to be with. I regularly recall stuff that I learned at primary school and later on. Obviously we may or may not attend to the opportunities that are made available to us, so we might also be switched off, with little of it sinking in.

A broad education is good - it lets us understand far more than we would potentially have gained, if we'd just been allowed to focus on our interests.

And it's great that education is being changed, so that people get to learn of different sexualities, relation types and cultures. This is the value of having social education, instead of just academic subject skills taught. I think I get on better with more people now, in part due to having the education that I did. Away from my 'professional' life, I still benefit from having understood much of what I learned, including aspects that help enrich my life for the better. I'm still friends with some of former teachers - many were great people. And overall, their results with me were incredibly commendable (I wasn't always an easy pupil, poor things).

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I would be fascinated to know if those that think school was a waste of time for them feel fulfilled in their careers now?

I genuinely hope that’s the case, but this whole debate is a fascinating insite to the way others think.

Who said Fab was all about sex and the sexual...

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"I would be fascinated to know if those that think school was a waste of time for them feel fulfilled in their careers now?

I genuinely hope that’s the case, but this whole debate is a fascinating insite to the way others think.

Who said Fab was all about sex and the sexual..."

Only those that don't do the social or forum side of Fab.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I sadly didn't do anything with my history degree, wanted to teach but didn't and went into retail instead.

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By *talian PassionMan over a year ago

Chelmsford

I have Bcs,Msc, PHD and still studying. I get

a better job step by step. Increase every day my skills and my career.

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By *talian PassionMan over a year ago

Chelmsford

Bsc I mean

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I left school and joined the military.

Left the military and started studying, Masters degree in Engineering and Masters degree in material science.

Wouldn't have the job I have now without the experience I gained in the RAF and my degrees. Definitely not a waste of time for me.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I've just thought of something, does having autism limit a person's choice in jobs?

Thought I'd ask as I have Asperger's.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"I've just thought of something, does having autism limit a person's choice in jobs?

Thought I'd ask as I have Asperger's."

I think it probably does and there will be some employers (individuals rather than the companies) who will decide you couldn't do a job based on that alone.

However, we are all limited by different things. I couldn't be a steel erector, even if I wanted to, because I have Meniere's. When I first started working I was turned away because of my colour and gender. That may still happen but it's less obvious now.

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By *urls and DressesWoman over a year ago

Somewhere near here

I wouldn’t be where I am now without my education, I pride myself on it. I’ve met and taught many adults who wish they did better to help them in their job or find a job they wish they had

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"I've just thought of something, does having autism limit a person's choice in jobs?

Thought I'd ask as I have Asperger's.

I think it probably does and there will be some employers (individuals rather than the companies) who will decide you couldn't do a job based on that alone.

That sucks that you were turned away. It saddens me that people get turned down due to their disability, colour or gender.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was classed as discrimination.

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By *2000ManMan over a year ago

Worthing

Did I.T. at school and college so yes, helped me a great deal in my chosen career.

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By *wisted999Man over a year ago

North Bucks

"I've just thought of something, does having autism limit a person's choice in jobs?

Thought I'd ask as I have Asperger's."

Very much depends on the field.

I have Aspergers and I have a job that requires an excessive attention to detail. I love it and can lose myself in my work.

In what you mentioned so far I don’t see it holding you back.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"I've just thought of something, does having autism limit a person's choice in jobs?

Thought I'd ask as I have Asperger's.

I think it probably does and there will be some employers (individuals rather than the companies) who will decide you couldn't do a job based on that alone.

That sucks that you were turned away. It saddens me that people get turned down due to their disability, colour or gender.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was classed as discrimination."

It is discrimination but it's not always easy to prove and, sadly, it is part of life.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"I've just thought of something, does having autism limit a person's choice in jobs?

Thought I'd ask as I have Asperger's.

Very much depends on the field.

I have Aspergers and I have a job that requires an excessive attention to detail. I love it and can lose myself in my work.

In what you mentioned so far I don’t see it holding you back. "

Good to hear you enjoy your job.

I do sometimes even though my job can be a pain in the backside. As much as I would like to look for other kinds of work, I'll have to stick with the job I have for a few reasons.

1. I don't want another job that's 9-5 Monday to Friday as I like my freedom and my social life.

2. I don't want another job that's very stressful and demanding.

3. Even though I've been in my job for over 13 years, I don't want to go from Customer Assistant to a duty manager job as it looks demanding and stressful.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"I've just thought of something, does having autism limit a person's choice in jobs?

Thought I'd ask as I have Asperger's.

I think it probably does and there will be some employers (individuals rather than the companies) who will decide you couldn't do a job based on that alone.

That sucks that you were turned away. It saddens me that people get turned down due to their disability, colour or gender.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was classed as discrimination.

It is discrimination but it's not always easy to prove and, sadly, it is part of life."

That is a pretty depressing outlook.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"I've just thought of something, does having autism limit a person's choice in jobs?

Thought I'd ask as I have Asperger's.

Very much depends on the field.

I have Aspergers and I have a job that requires an excessive attention to detail. I love it and can lose myself in my work.

In what you mentioned so far I don’t see it holding you back.

Good to hear you enjoy your job.

I do sometimes even though my job can be a pain in the backside. As much as I would like to look for other kinds of work, I'll have to stick with the job I have for a few reasons.

1. I don't want another job that's 9-5 Monday to Friday as I like my freedom and my social life.

2. I don't want another job that's very stressful and demanding.

3. Even though I've been in my job for over 13 years, I don't want to go from Customer Assistant to a duty manager job as it looks demanding and stressful."

You have a job that suits your needs. That's a good thing. Many people are in jobs that don't suit their needs.

You also like films and your job must make watching them a little easier.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"I've just thought of something, does having autism limit a person's choice in jobs?

Thought I'd ask as I have Asperger's.

I think it probably does and there will be some employers (individuals rather than the companies) who will decide you couldn't do a job based on that alone.

That sucks that you were turned away. It saddens me that people get turned down due to their disability, colour or gender.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was classed as discrimination.

It is discrimination but it's not always easy to prove and, sadly, it is part of life.

That is a pretty depressing outlook.

Change is happening, but it will never eliminate discrimination. People on here may go on about PC gone mad and people like me being do-gooders but all of that helps mitigate and reduce discrimination.

I don't feel bleak about how things are developing - I have seen immense change in the nearly 40 years I have been working.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"I've just thought of something, does having autism limit a person's choice in jobs?

Thought I'd ask as I have Asperger's.

Very much depends on the field.

I have Aspergers and I have a job that requires an excessive attention to detail. I love it and can lose myself in my work.

In what you mentioned so far I don’t see it holding you back.

Good to hear you enjoy your job.

I do sometimes even though my job can be a pain in the backside. As much as I would like to look for other kinds of work, I'll have to stick with the job I have for a few reasons.

1. I don't want another job that's 9-5 Monday to Friday as I like my freedom and my social life.

2. I don't want another job that's very stressful and demanding.

3. Even though I've been in my job for over 13 years, I don't want to go from Customer Assistant to a duty manager job as it looks demanding and stressful.

You have a job that suits your needs. That's a good thing. Many people are in jobs that don't suit their needs.

You also like films and your job must make watching them a little easier."

Those are very good points.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"I've just thought of something, does having autism limit a person's choice in jobs?

Thought I'd ask as I have Asperger's.

I think it probably does and there will be some employers (individuals rather than the companies) who will decide you couldn't do a job based on that alone.

That sucks that you were turned away. It saddens me that people get turned down due to their disability, colour or gender.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was classed as discrimination.

It is discrimination but it's not always easy to prove and, sadly, it is part of life.

That is a pretty depressing outlook.

I don't feel bleak about how things are developing - I have seen immense change in the nearly 40 years I have been working.

Let's just hope the changes are for the better.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

OP, have a look at the last episode of Back in Time for School on BBC2. It's on the iPlayer now.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"OP, have a look at the last episode of Back in Time for School on BBC2. It's on the iPlayer now.

I've had a quick look. Quite interesting.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"OP, have a look at the last episode of Back in Time for School on BBC2. It's on the iPlayer now.

I've had a quick look. Quite interesting. "

It's a synopsis of the series and looks to the future. Watch it all the way through as they discuss whether school prepares you for work.

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By *xMFM3sumsxxWoman over a year ago

SouthWest Lancashire

A lot of what the majority of people learn in school isn't applied outside of school. I mean it was ineresting setting fire to a peanut to measure the calories in it but never applied this to my life anywhere nor any jobs...

I think mostly education is beneficial, definitely a basic one. But the majority of people don't need to specialise in anything for a job, don't think they should be paid less because their job is less skilled either because they're still doing something considered useful, it'sjust no a basic education doesn't teach anyone skills needed to work and so doesn't. I consider college fairly basic also although it can lay down the foundations for a specialist job.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

My partner did not have a great time at secondary school. He left and entered a number of mind crushing jobs, of which he never really stayed long at.

He has done all kinds but rarely enjoyed it. IN 2009 he was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, this threw him into a major depression. But by 2013, he started a degree with no qualifications, he finally finished it last year achieving a 2:1 Hons BSC in IT.

IT wasn't his chosen career path but he understood it, College wasn't easy and there was indeed over a dozen hurdles some which brought on nasty meltdowns.

Last year he took an apprenticeship which you can do at any age, he now works in IT and really looks forward to going to work, which he assures me is a first.

He has had setbacks, been depressed, has self worth issues. But he has never been so defeated. He's made mistakes, but as he likes to repeat himself, he says everyday is a new day for learning something new.

In certain IT jobs they actively seek Autistic people now.

The biggest regret anyone can have is never doing anything to change their life.

As for that management role, it will be about managing people, resource, reports, key performance indicators and other stuff. All of which you can learn and be taught.

Education, doesn't stop at 16... People are learning everyday, thats the mindset to have.

Jayne.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Haven’t read all this but personally I think more life skills should be taught in schools.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"OP, have a look at the last episode of Back in Time for School on BBC2. It's on the iPlayer now.

I've had a quick look. Quite interesting.

It's a synopsis of the series and looks to the future. Watch it all the way through as they discuss whether school prepares you for work.

Just up to this bit about learning history through virtual reality. Can't help but feel a bit envious that technology in school today is much better than it was when I was a kid lol

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"My partner did not have a great time at secondary school. He left and entered a number of mind crushing jobs, of which he never really stayed long at.

IT wasn't his chosen career path but he understood it, College wasn't easy and there was indeed over a dozen hurdles some which brought on nasty meltdowns.

Last year he took an apprenticeship which you can do at any age, he now works in IT and really looks forward to going to work, which he assures me is a first.

In certain IT jobs they actively seek Autistic people now.

The biggest regret anyone can have is never doing anything to change their life.

As for that management role, it will be about managing people, resource, reports, key performance indicators and other stuff. All of which you can learn and be taught.

Education, doesn't stop at 16... People are learning everyday, thats the mindset to have.

Jayne.

I used to do IT in secondary school. Can't seem to recall if I learned anything from it.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

"OP, have a look at the last episode of Back in Time for School on BBC2. It's on the iPlayer now.

I've had a quick look. Quite interesting.

It's a synopsis of the series and looks to the future. Watch it all the way through as they discuss whether school prepares you for work.

Just up to this bit about learning history through virtual reality. Can't help but feel a bit envious that technology in school today is much better than it was when I was a kid lol"

That's progress.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"OP, have a look at the last episode of Back in Time for School on BBC2. It's on the iPlayer now.

I've had a quick look. Quite interesting.

It's a synopsis of the series and looks to the future. Watch it all the way through as they discuss whether school prepares you for work.

Just up to this bit about learning history through virtual reality. Can't help but feel a bit envious that technology in school today is much better than it was when I was a kid lol

That's progress.

I guess so.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Haven’t read all this but personally I think more life skills should be taught in schools. "

Most parents teach kids nothing.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

After thinking back to how I've been at school, it's made me a little depressed as I ended up thinking that what if despite doing my best to study hard in each of the lessons at school, I failed in getting good GCSE results.

Why this made me feel depressed is because I know that good grades are needed for certain jobs and seeing that my grades weren't good, I can't help but feel like a failure

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By *wisted999Man over a year ago

North Bucks

"After thinking back to how I've been at school, it's made me a little depressed as I ended up thinking that what if despite doing my best to study hard in each of the lessons at school, I failed in getting good GCSE results.

Why this made me feel depressed is because I know that good grades are needed for certain jobs and seeing that my grades weren't good, I can't help but feel like a failure

Never too late to get back into education.

Do something about it

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Haven’t read all this but personally I think more life skills should be taught in schools.

Most parents teach kids nothing. "

That’s true. I’ve also found that too having worked in a school. My child goes to a special school and they focus so much more on life skills and practical things. I just think they could do this a bit more in mainstream too.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Why this made me feel depressed is because I know that good grades are needed for certain jobs and seeing that my grades weren't good, I can't help but feel like a failure

Never too late to get back into education.

Do something about it "

I wish I could but I can't afford it.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"Haven’t read all this but personally I think more life skills should be taught in schools.

Most parents teach kids nothing.

My brother went to a special school with him having Asperger's like me but I didn't. I wasn't diagnosed with Asperger's until I was in secondary school.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"OP, have a look at the last episode of Back in Time for School on BBC2. It's on the iPlayer now.

I've had a quick look. Quite interesting.

It's a synopsis of the series and looks to the future. Watch it all the way through as they discuss whether school prepares you for work.

Just up to this bit about learning history through virtual reality. Can't help but feel a bit envious that technology in school today is much better than it was when I was a kid lol

That's progress.

I've watched the whole episode. It was interesting.

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By *icketysplitsWoman over a year ago

Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound

Why this made me feel depressed is because I know that good grades are needed for certain jobs and seeing that my grades weren't good, I can't help but feel like a failure

Never too late to get back into education.

Do something about it

I wish I could but I can't afford it."

Do MOOCs. It's what I do when I can't afford a course or it's on when I have too much work on to take time out.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 03/03/19 00:31:58]

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I just had a thought that if I don't want to change jobs, why would I need new grades?

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By *iss_tressWoman over a year ago

London

Left school with cse's applied for jobs: sorry, you need o levels. I watched as white friends with less qualifications than me walk into jobs I was rejected from.

Ok...so now I know. Whatever job I applied for I needed the next level up. I ended up with a masters. I retired from a very well paid job. My boss, earning £20,000 more than me didn't have a degree!

Education has afforded me a very good life but I've always been over qualified for the jobs I did.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I think it very much depends on what your interests are and what you want to do. A natural talent and passion for something, plus the right attitude, is worth more than degrees and qualifications in some cases.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Spindler.

GCSE's, A Levels and Degrees are all assessed differently.

They are different learning styles, in particular a GCSE is pretty much memory recall whereas a Degree is more about what you know from the research you have conducted (which you reference).

Not becoming a professional actor (professional meaning full time and only way you earn a living). Doesn't stop you acting or doing amateur dramatics etc

Have a think, but in truth the only person stopping you achieving is you. That's not to sound harsh, but once you crack that you'll start down a better road in life.

M & J

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"Spindler.

GCSE's, A Levels and Degrees are all assessed differently.

They are different learning styles, in particular a GCSE is pretty much memory recall whereas a Degree is more about what you know from the research you have conducted (which you reference).

Not becoming a professional actor (professional meaning full time and only way you earn a living). Doesn't stop you acting or doing amateur dramatics etc

Have a think, but in truth the only person stopping you achieving is you. That's not to sound harsh, but once you crack that you'll start down a better road in life.

M & J"

Thanks for the advice. I was feeling down last night so had to sleep it off. With me having Asperger's, it happens sometimes whenever I feel angry or upset about something.

As much as I like to act(along with singing and dancing as I'm good at those too), the only way I could do that is out of hobby.

If I wanted to actually do something with it, I wouldn't know where to start.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"In terms of getting a job, have our times at school and college been helpful in getting a job we wanted or have they been a waste of time?"

In this day and and age i think a half decent education is just about the only way to get a job that you actually want.

It was a lot different when i left school. Although i left with 8 GCSE's it was of no help to me for the job i wanted to do, at the time i was hell bent on working in the music industry as a sound engineer. There was no way in other than starting as a "Gofor" in a recording studio, so that's what i did.

6 years latter i left Virgin Records as a sound engineer and spent the next 12 years traveling the world with many different bands as a live production sound engineer.

At the time there were no university or college courses available now days the only way to become a sound engineer is through college or university, things have changed beyond all recognition.

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