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The path to success doesn’t have to go through university The path to success doesn’t have to go through university
(4 months later)
Most of my friends are finishing their last year at university, and my Facebook feed is now filled with pictures of dissertations – bound and covered and shiny, ready to be handed in – followed by pictures of fancy cocktails captioned #celebrations. It’s that time of year when everyone is handing in final essays and revising for exams. And research that suggests companies are making an effort to take on more graduates offers further reason for celebration.Most of my friends are finishing their last year at university, and my Facebook feed is now filled with pictures of dissertations – bound and covered and shiny, ready to be handed in – followed by pictures of fancy cocktails captioned #celebrations. It’s that time of year when everyone is handing in final essays and revising for exams. And research that suggests companies are making an effort to take on more graduates offers further reason for celebration.
But what about the many educated young people who don’t go on to further education?But what about the many educated young people who don’t go on to further education?
Related: Teachers: we don't all want to go to uni
Had I stuck out my degree I would be just about to finish mine, too. But I’ve never had any doubt that quitting university was the right thing for me. When I was applying I was already voicing my concerns: I thought about deferring my entry or doing a course part-time, but ultimately felt that I just needed to get on with it.Had I stuck out my degree I would be just about to finish mine, too. But I’ve never had any doubt that quitting university was the right thing for me. When I was applying I was already voicing my concerns: I thought about deferring my entry or doing a course part-time, but ultimately felt that I just needed to get on with it.
But after two years at college, I was sick of education and spent a summer getting as much journalism work experience as I could, slogging away at my local paper and working a retail job to earn money.But after two years at college, I was sick of education and spent a summer getting as much journalism work experience as I could, slogging away at my local paper and working a retail job to earn money.
Taking the non-university route is still a scary plunge for some. It is natural that companies would want bright students fresh from education, ready to launch themselves into the world of work. But there are thousands of students with a degree or even a master’s who can’t land a grad job.Taking the non-university route is still a scary plunge for some. It is natural that companies would want bright students fresh from education, ready to launch themselves into the world of work. But there are thousands of students with a degree or even a master’s who can’t land a grad job.
One of the main reasons why I thought I needed to go to university – I expect many students feel it too – is because I thought that level of education was essential to get me a job. I know that I have cut myself off from some prospects, and have had to prove myself in other ways, but on the whole I am pleased I didn’t take that more traditional route.One of the main reasons why I thought I needed to go to university – I expect many students feel it too – is because I thought that level of education was essential to get me a job. I know that I have cut myself off from some prospects, and have had to prove myself in other ways, but on the whole I am pleased I didn’t take that more traditional route.
I know plenty of people who undertook a degree course not because of a passion for a subject, but because they felt it essential to get a job. Yet working class students still face a struggle to get well-paid employment. Studies show that students from poorer backgrounds with the same degree as better-off contemporaries are still being paid less.I know plenty of people who undertook a degree course not because of a passion for a subject, but because they felt it essential to get a job. Yet working class students still face a struggle to get well-paid employment. Studies show that students from poorer backgrounds with the same degree as better-off contemporaries are still being paid less.
It isn’t surprising. Just last year we had intern swap sites available for the offspring of those in top jobs and poshness “tests” in big firms.It isn’t surprising. Just last year we had intern swap sites available for the offspring of those in top jobs and poshness “tests” in big firms.
Related: MyInternSwap site 'locks out less privileged pupils'
In recent years there has been an increase in the numbers of people going to university, but in the not too distant future this seems likely to tip the other way. Rising fees, rising living costs and a generally barren job market mean that at some point the less socially mobile will once again find it harder to go to university. The expense of going will outweigh the perceived benefits as the jobs market continues to get tougher.In recent years there has been an increase in the numbers of people going to university, but in the not too distant future this seems likely to tip the other way. Rising fees, rising living costs and a generally barren job market mean that at some point the less socially mobile will once again find it harder to go to university. The expense of going will outweigh the perceived benefits as the jobs market continues to get tougher.
And this will present its own problems. In my experience as a non-graduate, I still experience prejudice for not having a degree. People assume that I am not clever enough to have got one, rather than it being about my deliberate choice. As the next round of students apply to universities, why isn’t more emphasis being put on practical experience to set students up for the job they want? Instead the myth that university is the only way to go is still perpetuated.And this will present its own problems. In my experience as a non-graduate, I still experience prejudice for not having a degree. People assume that I am not clever enough to have got one, rather than it being about my deliberate choice. As the next round of students apply to universities, why isn’t more emphasis being put on practical experience to set students up for the job they want? Instead the myth that university is the only way to go is still perpetuated.
We need to change the entire conversation around university and how it is perceived. It isn’t the answer to everything and there are plenty of careers, such as journalism, where practical experience could be more valuable.We need to change the entire conversation around university and how it is perceived. It isn’t the answer to everything and there are plenty of careers, such as journalism, where practical experience could be more valuable.
As I watch my peers graduate over the next few months, I will feel nothing but pride for what they have achieved, and I hope that they get the jobs they deserve. However, we need to realise that taking another route isn’t something to be sniffed at. It is time legitimacy and respect is given to those who decide the university route isn’t for them.As I watch my peers graduate over the next few months, I will feel nothing but pride for what they have achieved, and I hope that they get the jobs they deserve. However, we need to realise that taking another route isn’t something to be sniffed at. It is time legitimacy and respect is given to those who decide the university route isn’t for them.