Do You Need a University Degree?
With university applications increasing every year, there can be pressure on people to get a degree as soon as possible. However, going into full-time education isn’t the right choice for everyone in every career, and it’s important to weigh up whether it’s something you should do.
Here’s some of the positives and negatives to getting a degree.
Positives
It can be necessary for skill-specific work- In some careers, such as teaching or science-based work like medicine, a degree will be a requirement so that you can get the necessary training for your job. You should do you research around the subject to see whether this is the case for your chosen career.
Gives you time to explore what specifically you want to do- If you know roughly what kind of field you want to go into, but not specifically what role to aim for, going to university could help give you more of a clear idea. A degree gives you the time, space and resources to explore what path you want to take in your career with much more certainty.
Employers are looking for people with bachelor degrees- With the increase in university placements comes an increase in employer demand for a degree. You might find it a struggle in the job market competing with applicants who have a degree that looks good on a CV.
It improves you prospects- Studies have shown that people who secure a university degree are more likely to be higher earners than those who don’t. While of course this will depend on the career path you take, it’s something worth bearing in mind if your future salary is a big concern for you.
Negatives
It’s expensive- A lot has been said already on the rising fees of university, and for good reason. While the loans are paid back according to your income, you’re still going to be saddled with debt for the foreseeable future. You should take some time to think about whether the career path you’re going into makes this debt worth it.
Often employers value experience over qualifications- The problem with doing a full-time course is that it essentially swallows three years of your life. Apart from in the summer months you won’t be able to do much work experience outside of your degree, when one of the things employers most value is practised capability and not just theoretical education.
It might not be relevant to your career- There are lots of jobs out there where a degree isn’t necessary. Some jobs you can learn about through college courses and apprentice placements, while in others you can learn through experience and work your way up through the ranks.
Your employer could fund your education later on- This will of course depend on the company and position you’re in, but if you start at an entry-level position and work your way up, your employer might be willing to finance a part-time qualification. This means that you’ll be in a position where you’re both educated and experienced, all without having a big chunk of debt hanging over you.