Student

[Ginger Dave]

I'm currently in my 3rd and final year of uni studying "BSc in sports performance and coaching",

 

my parents have lent me the money, which I will be paying back to them once I have a job and am "financially stable",

 

However finding a job with all these government cuts in sports funding will be a lot harder! as two people I know locally who work in community sports development are losing their jobs due to these cuts in the new year

[shawdreamer]

I'm Currently a Student Studying Motor Vehicle Repair and as I am over 19 the Funding is Dramatically reduced because of this new Government we have got and I'm paying over £1000 a year and when your 19 and there is no help from the government with such situations its a bit of an arse i have had to borrow money of my parents and pay back as and when I can bit of a struggle in these times. the government are banging on about unemployment figures how are we meant to be getting jobs if we can't afford to learn the trades?

 

 

sorry lad but learning a trade in a sterile uni room or some fully prepared garage area doesnt count for shite too me, I would never hire someone one the scribbles of a piece of paper.

 

Ive worked for nearly 13 years as a mechanical engineer and never once went to Uni for it, I started as "the boy" and worked my arse off to end up the second in command of the entire firm.

 

it took work and grafting but I can proudly say I needed no c*nts handouts (and therefore didnt have to whinge about how hard life is on a forum), ontop of that I pissed all over the uni-taught dick'eds that came out of Uni thinking they'd got it all sorted and knew it all when in absolute reality they didnt know shite'all about the job and promptly got volleyed by my boss.

 

If you want to learn the trade, do it on the job and earn a wage at the same time, that way I dont have to see yet another Unibrat moaning on about how hard life is and how their having to borrow money all the time.

 

IF you really want to learn your trade give a few firms a shout and see if they have opening for "labourers" (which is the unofficial way the trades advertise jobs so as to not attract know it all Uni brats who cant do the feckin job), sure you'll start at the bottom but If you think thats not were you'll start with a "degree" behind you then your living in a dreamworld as trade jobs require you to prove your worth and not expect a piece of paper to prove it.

 

If it seems like this is all aimed at you I appologise as by no means is it, Im just repeatedly annoyed by people whinging about how their easy life is so absolutly terrible..... and at the moment thats all Im hearing from feckin students.

 

btw Im referring to physical trades here such as mechanical engineering, building etc etc

[ST170 Dan]

i did biology at reading and came out with £13k debt. im repaying it now but the payments are small so it will take me a while. i dont really worry about it though, i just let it take care of itself.

[Scort_CVH]

This is interesting as everyones been moaning about the levels of debt but people have paid it off or are paying back small amounts at a time.

 

Dan are you in a job related to your degree?

 

 

 

unibrat

 

I agree with you on some points but unfair taring everyone? Im doing an automotive related degree and when i come out of uni yeah ill have a bit of paper but at the same time ive been working in a garage for 3 years, ive had experience on the hand and machine tools, im currently turbo converting my escort with basic tools (no engine crane) and on a shoestring buget. I also work 4 nights a week. Support my mum and my brother and pay for the repairs/parts for all the cars not just mine.

 

unibrat?

 

[ST170 Dan]

yes mate, i work in research. needed the degree so that i knew about the background science, practical experience will only get you so far in this field. and its also helped me get further than my friends who have similar jobs.

[shawdreamer]

unibrat

 

I agree with you on some points but unfair taring everyone? Im doing an automotive related degree and when i come out of uni yeah ill have a bit of paper but at the same time ive been working in a garage for 3 years, ive had experience on the hand and machine tools, im currently turbo converting my escort with basic tools (no engine crane) and on a shoestring buget. I also work 4 nights a week. Support my mum and my brother and pay for the repairs/parts for all the cars not just mine.

 

unibrat?

 

 

 

 

but are you sat there whinging about debt?

 

and as your a good example......

 

were do you consider the most informative part of your education comes from.....when your staring at a book or when you have your bonce under a bonnet with your hands covered in shite?

 

despite the "shite covered hands" I guessing the latter?.

 

Its the same with building trades, you learn on the job what is required for the job.... reading it in a book doesn't mean you'll be able to do it practically, as such any person worth his salt looking to hire in the building trade will look for someone with the skills to accomplish the job and not always essentially the one who thinks they "know how to do the job" because they've been "taught" how.

 

99% of the time the latter isn't worth a shite.

 

As for the term "Unibrat", I apply it to those whinging useless select few University attendees that complain endlessly about how much debt they'll be in when they finish their course when in all honesty If the education there acquiring will allow them to get a job that will offset the debt they should just belt up and deal with it for the foreseeable short term.

 

and if the course their taking isn't gonna improve their job prospects or benefit society in general......quit moaning, quit Uni.............AND GET A FUCKIN JOB YOU GIMPS!

Edited December 15, 2010 by shawdreamer

[trickydicky]

Can see someones a bit gutted about not going to university!

Shawdreamer you are forgetting one thing.

That everyone doesn't think the same way as you.

 

Some may view the same scenario differently.

Like the apprentice who breaks someone's car because they are "learning by doing".

Employers want someone who yes, has experience, but also the qualifications to back it up.

So they aren't someone who's just trialled and error'd through their working life.

 

As for the 99% comments, that doesn't mean much to rules and regulations.

99% of the time, employees in University residences won't burn down the building.

But WHEN the 1% happens they are gonna get shafted.

Would you like your son/daughter to be killed in a fire because the employee didn't get training, cos "it don't mean rubbish"?

 

I see where you are coming from, but you need to think of the bigger picture.

 

/rant.

[ScORTED]

That attitude smacks of the bottom rung of society and life in general shawdreamer. Good on you for working your way up.

In what sense are you and Engineer?

[marcus]

this is a good topic!!!

 

i was at uni for 5 years, did a foundation degree, Ba(hons) degree and then a masters!

 

when i was at uni, i payed for everything myself - car, flat, bills, food etc

 

i had a part time job at a night club! (got payed and it was like being on a night out!). i worked some nights and some days!

 

still managed to do all of that and support myself! i got the student loan to cover fees, got the other loan for living and put it in a high interest isa. when i finished uni, i had 30kish of debt and i had around 15k in the isa. i payed 15k of on the loan and now have £15000 left to pay (minus what ive already payed). i pay £350 a month off on this! (remember you dont start paying it back until your earning a certain minimum salary - cant remember what it is)

 

IF after 25 years, i have not payed it back, the loan is wiped and thats, that. when i started my job, i was paying £100 a month back (its worked out for you, according to salary). SO, these people saying that they cant afford it etc are talking rubbish!!! if i had 30k or 120k student loan, i would still only pay the same back each month and then after 25 years, anything remaining is wiped. You CAN get a student loan to cover fees as well as money to live on!!! and you can survive on part time wages - as said, i had an ok car, nice 3 bed house (shared with 3 mates)!!!

 

so, yes your loan may be bigger (you may pay more interest per month - i pay £25ish a month on 15k) but you still only pay back the same amount as I would have done (when the fees were cheaper).

 

when i was at uni for the first 2 times, the fees were 1k - when i did my masters, it had gone up and was 3.5k a year)

 

if i didnt have this 15k loan now, i wouldnt have the job i do! even if i were starting uni soon, i would still do it as you have them qualifications for life. my sister started uni last September and she got the extra loan to cover fees.

 

hope that makes some sense?

Edited December 15, 2010 by marcus

[Gadge]

I studied "Computer Systems (Networking) - I got my degree this year, but I have no prior working experience which can provide me with a reference. I'm finding it hard to get work in my field. I work full time at the local Argos until something else comes along.

 

The missus studied multimedia technology - She got her degree last year and is currently earning a decent wage working in research and development for Leeds University / NHS which is nothing to do with her degree at all. She had already worked rubbish jobs previously and had a good working history. She is also getting her masters paid for fully by the NHS whilst working.

 

We are both 23.

 

We are both in "debt" for around £20k each, that's life we got an education and the best time of our lives! The experience is worth 10x that and I don't think many will disagree.

[Lee R]

I studied "Computer Systems (Networking) - I got my degree this year,

 

 

 

 

 

I work full time at the local Argos

 

unfortunately, 90% of the people I know who went to furthur education are in the same boat.

 

And people think this should be funded????

[Stu]

I think the amount of debt you end in after doing a degree potentially isn't worth it based on the fact you're unlikely to (initially) get a higher paid job than someone without a degree (unless you stay in academia, of which the long-term prospects aren't amazing).

 

I've been in several positions throughout my career where i've had to interview post-grads and not once have any of them been good enough for the job. There's no replacement for experience, but having a good solid education is a good thing, but on it's own is not worth a huge amount.

 

If people leave uni with the expectation that they're going to earn big money, they're often sadly mistaken.

 

 

However, later on in life the degree can be useful (depending on the type of degree and sector you're working in), as you may not be able to further your career without having a degree (even with 20+ years experience), i'm talking executive level stuff in large corps, especially American ones - they won't touch you without a degree, it's pure snobbery to be honest.

[Gadge]

I have been out of University for only 5 months so I don't think that is a participially long time to have found a decently paying job. I might agree with you if I'm in the same position in the next 6 months.

 

My missus however got good work really easily, but like I said she already had a proven working record which I don't.

 

Neither of us are on any form of benefit, we run 2 cars, a large 2 bed apartment and a cat so we cant be doing too badly, but working experience really is the key.

Edited December 15, 2010 by Gadge

[shawdreamer]

That attitude smacks of the bottom rung of society and life in general shawdreamer. Good on you for working your way up.

In what sense are you and Engineer?

 

the title is "mechanical engineer" really but Ive allways found that title nondescript and vague as feck.

 

In basic terms I design, modify and install what can be considered massive heating and air conditioning systems for major buildings.

 

examples of my past work include,

 

Rochdale municipal building

 

The jarvis piccadilly Hotel Manchester

 

The abbey National Building Manchester

 

The Blood depository Manchester

 

Inland revenue HQ Sheffield

 

Old trafford North and South stands and yes that includes Fergies offices, the museum and restaurant

 

The new immigration Law courts Manchester

 

Im sure theres loads more notable ones but theres been shitloads over the years and I forget em.

 

Can see someones a bit gutted about not going to university!

 

 

and what makes you assume the blatantly obvious to be true?

 

I have neither use nor ever had desire to attend university and therefore obviously have no reason to be disgruntled by those that did.

 

I also have no use for pointless whingers who are beyond the point of maturity where they should be able to recognise the situations they are taking on before they in fact take them on and start the aforementioned "whinging"

[ScORTED]

The term engineer is very vague, a friends boyfriend used to proclaim to be a mechanical engineer -he used to service plant equipment on a steel works, no engineering as such, no design, no understanding but he proclaimed to be an engineer. You don't have to have a degree, being in a high position are you accredited by an engineering body?

When ?I was younger I really wanted to work with the more hands on automotive stuff, sadly none of the companies I wanted to work for would take me on as whilst I had passion and some experience of vehicles etc they looked at my education and considered the job below me. I felt this was very very unfair, after all I'd passed all the ReMIT test with flying colours and been given my choice of jobs. In the end I went into IT as a trainee EPOS engineer, then moved on to programming / technician. Finally one day I'd had enough of being at the bottom end of the food chain and working really hard waiting to fill dead mens boots and I left to pursue the career I always wanted, real Engineering. I still did not want to go to university at this point in my life so I applied for some really good apprenticeships in the oil and gas industry, I made it through testing, assessment days final interviews yet every time (with four different companies) I got told I was not one of the ones being offered a job. My feedback was always excellent in fact one company put me forward for another job and the same thing happened. I was at a loss, I spoke directly to TTE - a technical college that does the training of many of these apprentices, eventually a tutor came back with "yup, its your age, if they employ someone under 20 they get more funding" none of the companies could tell me this - its discrimination no less. So fcuk me I've had to do it off my own back. Not only that it means being in debt and working my arse off to pay the bills but in my case my only realistic way in was to work 10 years at the bottom or get a degree and start further up. However having worked and lived the real world and supported myself I get a grant, i didn't for the first two years because I actually didn't need it (and didn't know I was entitled to it) So all those years of paying my taxes are finally paying me back! Not only that I don't look down at people who don't have degrees, I love getting my hands dirty, I still do loads of work on cars myself because I enjoy it. I really don't like your attitude towards people who do go to university, what do oyu feel you have to prove?