1. Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!

Very Off topic... Life after Uni.

Discussion in 'Newcastle United' started by EastMidlandMagpie, Feb 2, 2012.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. ToonSi

    ToonSi Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    Messages:
    1,876
    Likes Received:
    14
    I'm a recent graduate having undertaken a BSc (Hons) Creative Music & Sound Technology (achieved a 2.1 :1980_boogie_down:) and whilst I've not got a job in the music industry, I loved every minute of it.
    As a result I can make music to a professional standard both from the creative songwriting and structure side of things right through recording and manipulation of sounds up to the mixing and mastering & have built my own home professional studio so do undertake some freelance work, but it's not enough to pay the bills.
    Really keeping it now as a side to my working career & whilst I have had a bog standard part-time job (that I could have gotten without the degree) & about to start a full time job elsewhere (again not using the degree), I wouldn't swap the experience for the world.

    Also I'm now currently doing a second degree in Engineering (funded by my dad's company) through the open university as it was one of the original subjects I studied at 6th form & I can definitely get some well paid work in that using that degree (and maybe even use it to fund setting up my own indie record label/sign some artists and put on a few club nights so all hope is not lost).
     
    #21
  2. QWOP

    QWOP Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    Messages:
    9,594
    Likes Received:
    4,276
    Depending on what type of Engineering it is, beware! It is not that well paid and is part of the reason I left to go into banking.
     
    #22
  3. ToonSi

    ToonSi Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    Messages:
    1,876
    Likes Received:
    14
    I'll be going into Design Engineering or Design Consultancy in the Oil Industry & I almost got a job before doing the degree over Christmas (through my dad & as I already know how to use CAD & the mechanical principles/properties as I studied it at 6th form) where the starting salary was £40/hour working in my dad's office in Nigeria on a 4 weeks on/off basis.
    Only reason I didn't get it was because the nationals threatened to strike continuously if their mates didn't get employed over the more experienced/educated International applicants (they have a crazy custom in Nigeria where if you get your mate a job, as long as your mate works for that company they give you 20% of their wage - even if they end up being in a position above you).

    Out of interest, which bank are you working for? I'm about to start a job in banking myself, albeit in their customer service call centre <laugh>
     
    #23
  4. Agent Bruce

    Agent Bruce Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2011
    Messages:
    47,442
    Likes Received:
    3,237
    Don't mind the fillet of fish sandwich after a day's shopping or after a match at McD's on Northumberland Street, but that's the only thing I'd have. Wouldn't dream of having any meat product there.

    Oops, posted this a bit late. Looks a bit off topic now.
     
    #24
  5. Why aye Cabaye

    Why aye Cabaye Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2011
    Messages:
    3,395
    Likes Received:
    8
    A lot of it also depends on your choice of course, something vocational will stand you in much better stead for a job rather than one of the 1000's of bollocks courses that are interesting, bit not worth jack **** for 99.9% of people in the real world.
     
    #25
  6. SKY+

    SKY+ Guest

    I completed an MSc in Forensic Psychology and Crime at Coventry Uni a fews years back. I must say, the uni's a ****-hole and the City is even worse. I did my undergrad study at the University of Bath - now that's a good uni, and an amazing city.

    I did a PhD with Prof Jane Ireland based at the University of Central Lancashire - also a ****-hole.

    Out of the three, Bath Uni was amazing and had the time of my life <whistle>


    And to add to the OP - going to uni is well worth it, if you're prepared to do post-grad study after. If not don't bother as every man and his dog has got an undergrad degree. Personally, for me I wouldn't of done anything differently as I'm now a chartered forensic psychologist. It was hard work but worth it <ok>
     
    #26
  7. Frank_Pingel_Legend

    Frank_Pingel_Legend Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2011
    Messages:
    932
    Likes Received:
    94
    I spent seven years at university doing a BA, Masters and then a PhD. I am now one of the lowest paid employees at the firm I work for, doing a job that is way, way below what I am capable of and which pays less than the average wage. As far as I can see, the only subjects that really matter are accountancy and law.

    I'm afraid this is a country where stupidity is worshipped and mutual back scratching the norm.
     
    #27
  8. expat_mag

    expat_mag Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2011
    Messages:
    241
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hmm... not too sure about that. I would say it is *very* course dependent. I studied Physics and most of my friends walked into jobs. I would say that with a good solid fundamental course behind you, that is going to teach you a bunch of "transferrable skills" (writing extended prose, numeracy, public speaking, problem solving, computational skills, ...), like Physics, Chemistry, Biology; then you'll do fine with an upper class undergrad degree from a decent uni. Of course, post-grad study won't hurt (much...), but it isn't always needed. But studying Physics at a good uni is definitely a commitment - it'll be hard work, much harder than most other courses.

    I would say, that with some other courses, you really do need some extra "umph" behind you, because they just don't give you that range of skills.
     
    #28
  9. EastMidlandMagpie

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2011
    Messages:
    141
    Likes Received:
    0
    I think I just have the third year blues, mid-way through the last semester. Kind of went to University blind as I got great A-levels the sixth-form i was at pushed me into it. University has been a great experience looking back at it as I have done a lot more growing up than my mates at home. But as mentioned before if you are going to go to uni make sure there is a certain job you have in mind for post university, otherwise you get to your third year and realise you are ****ed haha. Interesting to see just how many not606ers have been to uni, i think i'll be doing a PGCE next year so i can doss a little bit more.
     
    #29
  10. Shorey13

    Shorey13 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2011
    Messages:
    247
    Likes Received:
    9
    My brother left school, spent 3 years at college, then 5 years at uni and is earning the same as me who left school and got a 'normal' job.
    Uni's should start basing tuition fees on what's needed in the country, if you want to be a doctor you pay minimal fees, if you want to study David Beckham (<an actual course a staffs uni) then you should be paying for the people doing worthwhile degrees.
     
    #30

  11. EastMidlandMagpie

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2011
    Messages:
    141
    Likes Received:
    0
    THis is true, and how it should be balanced. Although the David Beckham thing is a myth, I think they run a module on him on a PR course or something, you cannot get a BA Hons in David Beckham
     
    #31
  12. Shorey13

    Shorey13 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2011
    Messages:
    247
    Likes Received:
    9
    ^ my apologies, your correct

    ''In 2000, Staffordshire University was mocked as providing 'David Beckham Studies' because it provided a module on the sociological importance of football to students taking sociology, sports science or media studies.[3] A professor for the department stressed that the course would not focus on Beckham, and that the module examines "the rise of football from its folk origins in the 17th century, to the power it's become and the central place it occupies in British culture, and indeed world culture, today."[3] Similarly, Durham University designed a module centred around Harry Potter to examine "prejudice, citizenship and bullying in modern society" as a part of a BA degree in Education Studies.[4]''

    I'm from Staffordshire and always taken the mick out of the uni for this, probably should of looked it up beforehand haha...bloody internet!
     
    #32
  13. TheLurker

    TheLurker Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2011
    Messages:
    150
    Likes Received:
    0
    How are you finding it as a forensic Psych?


    I'm currently studying Psychology, then aim to try and get on a PhD course in America/Canada. Failing that I'll stay here, a few places have clinical neuropsychology as a PhD so all should be well.
     
    #33
  14. Obaoutofthetoon09

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2011
    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    11
    Doing a BA in history at University of Kent. In my final year. Would like to do an MPHIL or MA in a year or two after getting some money to fund it, maybe become a lecturer and write for a journal. Maybe even a political researcher! I know one thing, if I'm not doign my masters next year then I better start looking for jobs!
     
    #34
  15. Viceroy

    Viceroy Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2011
    Messages:
    353
    Likes Received:
    36
    After doing 4 years at uni and getting a degree i can reveal that you take it for granted, dont make the most of it and then when its finished it doesnt make it much easier to get a job but puts more pressure on you to get one.

    The good thing is you can say you have a degree and if the economy picks up again it might actually be worth something, also you have the memory of those uni years although you will have a great time you will always regret not making more of it while you had the chance. Oh and you will have like 15 grand + debt only for new applicants is something ridiculous like 30 grand +

    Part of me thinks the whole uni boom was a ploy by the government to weaken the fiscal position of graduates and to limit earning potential of people to stop the rise of a growing middle class.
     
    #35
  16. Shorey13

    Shorey13 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2011
    Messages:
    247
    Likes Received:
    9
    I love a good conspiracy theory! my favorite being Paul McCartney is dead <yikes>
     
    #36
  17. expat_mag

    expat_mag Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2011
    Messages:
    241
    Likes Received:
    0
    Na, it was to fudge the unemployment numbers...
     
    #37
  18. MissingTheLeazesEnd

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2011
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    0
    Ah I see, got the wrong end of what you were saying. My bad *insert some sort of smiley to express this here if I knew how to*
     
    #38
  19. QWOP

    QWOP Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    Messages:
    9,594
    Likes Received:
    4,276
    I work for (albeit not hard enough as I bypassed their restrictions to post on here) for Macquarie. Specialist IB.

    Nigeria seems an odd place but the pay there is more than double what I was on as a graduate engineer for one of the UK's biggest companies!!! Make sure you learn 3D cad (Inventor/Solidworks) as that can stand you in good stead :)
     
    #39
  20. QWOP

    QWOP Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    Messages:
    9,594
    Likes Received:
    4,276
    My ex went to Bath. It is a lovely city with an amazing uni. Nearly went there myself (but did not want to be too close to the gf at the time <laugh>)
     
    #40
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page