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Do you need a degree to be successful - sample feature for Journalism...

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DO YOU NEED A DEGREE TO BE SUCCESSFUL? If you Google “successful with a degree” forget about reading a list of the top ten entrepreneurs who graduated top of their class with first class degrees, instead, prepare yourself for practically the opposite. Before you, there will be countless stories about people who have made it big despite not even having made it through high school. Not to mention the heated debates over whether or not degrees will even result in successful careers for young and hopeful graduates. With success stories from the likes of high school drop outs; Richard Branson, Simon Cowell and David Karp, it is not hard to see why more and more people are exploring alternative avenues to the traditional University degree. Does this mean that the degree has become obsolete? That those who have never pulled all nighters in their university library, or toiled through academic book after book looking for that essay changing quote, are more likely to be successful than any university graduate? When tuition fees increased to a maximum of nine grand a year in 2012, a decline in university applications was inevitable. Many shied away from the prospect of leaving university with such an intimidating amount of debt. However, according to UCAS, applicants to British Universities increased in 2013 from the previous year. It is fair to say that a large proportion of students are still applying and going to University, but are their degrees worth what they once were? Recently The Daily

Telegraph reported that the Office of National Statistics shows that around half of graduates leaving university are in jobs that do not require university degrees. In recent years the government has made a point of making apprenticeships and college courses more readily available to people. The site www.notgoingtouni.co.uk, which was founded in 2008 by a student Tom Mursell, informs people about alternatives to university that range from; gap years to apprenticeships to college-based higher education or information about going straight into work. APPRENTICESHIPS “University is not for everyone” says Penny Charrett, Careers Counsellor from the University of Hertfordshire, and she has a point. Not everyone is academically minded. Many people struggle throughout school and by the end of it just want to enter the world of work. She also adds that, “some people will get on in life from doing apprenticeships or working – although it may take them a bit longer.” At the moment there exist more than 250 apprenticeships in every sector of industry. Apprenticeships offer students the chance to earn and learn. David Way, CEO of the National Apprenticeship Service, boasts that on average those who complete the Advanced level apprenticeship can earn up to £100,000 more over the course of their career than those who don’t. However, the Advanced level apprenticeship qualification is only the equivalent of two Alevel passes. In fact, the highest apprenticeship qualification only reaches the

*Names have been changed for confidentiality.

equivalent of a foundation degree. So while apprenticeship students may be earning £100,000 more throughout their career than those on the same or similar career path this doesn’t compare to the wages of those who are degree qualified. In comparison, the last graduate earnings report from the Office of National statistics showed that degree holders earned an average of £12,000 a year more than non-graduates. It is easy to see why apprenticeships may be more appealing than university; no debt, a wage, and a wealth of experience within a particular industry are just some of the benefits. However, this is experience is just one industry, whereas getting a degree means going to university where a range of experiences will be available to you. COLLEGE-BASED HIGHER EDUCATION Alternatively, students can continue to study without the expense of a degree. Collegebased higher education is a popular option with “one in twelve” higher education students attending further education colleges, according to NGtoU’s Guide to College-based Higher Education. College courses are cheaper than university tuition fees. Unlike apprenticeships, college-based qualifications actually meet undergraduate degree level educations. A Higher National Certificate is the equivalent to the first year of an undergrad degree and the Higher National diploma, the equivalent to second year undergrad degree. Those who obtain these qualifications can, if they choose, go on to complete full university degrees bypassing the years they have already gained the equivalent qualification for. Similarly, for students without typical A-levels collegebased higher education offers them the opportunity to do an Extended degree. Those who study the Extended degree, can then go on to study at the college’s partnership *Names have been changed for confidentiality.

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While the benefits for more mature students and also those with restrictive commitments are obvious, for students fresh out of their Alevels college-based higher education seems a much more convoluted way of eventually gaining a degree. With the consistent option to continue studies to degree level it appears it would be easier and more direct to go straight to university. WORLD OF WORK Not going to university doesn’t necessarily mean you are destined for life in low paid menial employment. While it is no longer as common as it once was, working your way up the career ladder within a company is still achievable should you have the ambition and drive to do so. Students who leave university at the age of sixteen can begin work, and use the experience and training opportunities available to them to climb the ladder to success. Many companies, such as Marston’s PLC, have in-house training programmes. These programmes allow employees to start at the bottom and progress upward through the company. Working your way up the career ladder does take time. You may argue, so does a degree, but it is often the case that graduates enter jobs at graduate levels. Whereas students straight out of high school may enter employment at a much lower level and, depending on the company and the individual, may not reach the equivalent level of a graduate in the three years that it could take to complete a degree. Going straight into the world of work does not necessarily mean going to work for someone else. There are various forms of funding and mentoring for those wanting to start their own businesses. Start Up Loans UK

are a government funded scheme that provide loans and mentors for entrepreneurs. Another path to take would be through buying a Franchise. Owning a Franchise allows you to run your own business with the guidance and support of an existing and established company behind you. Www.franchiseinfo.co.uk offers information about the different franchises available in different sectors, industries and regions, as well as promoting exhibitions that potential buyers can go and learn more. It is important when going down this route to remember that starting your own business can be costly. The 2012 Natwest BFA Franchise survey reported that franchises can range from around £24,000 for personal services franchises to £140,000 for catering and hotel franchises. In addition to this, when starting your own business, you must be aware that there will be many months when you will not even be able to give yourself a wage and not all business go the distance either. On average four out of five new businesses fail and many successful and well known entrepreneurs have experienced setbacks before success. “The hardest part in the beginning is not having the security of a pay check,” says Nathan Holmes, owner of the mobile car care company franchise – Revive Cambridge. Adding that in order to start making money you need “the ambition and drive to push your business forward, as well as trust worthy, dependable employees and the right contracts, which will offer growth and help your business expand.” A degree is not needed in order to start your own business, but a relevant degree can benefit the business owner. While he doesn’t feel that not having a degree has held him back in any way; Nathan acknowledges that there have been times when it would have been helpful to have studied certain aspects of running a business. UNIVERSITY *Names have been changed for confidentiality.

A degree isn’t all University has to offer and let’s face facts; it’s become clear that in the current economic climate it is not enough to just have a first class degree. Careers Counsellor Penny says that while a good grade is important and shows that you are smart and capable, it doesn’t show prospective employers that you are a wellrounded individual. There is a need to go further than your degree, to show people that you are the individual that will go that extra mile for the business you choose to work for. University is a great time for seizing opportunities that otherwise would not be at your doorstep. Get involved in societies, organisations, volunteering etc. These types of activities will boost your CV and make you more employable when you finally leave university. Louise*, who graduated from the University of Leicester and now works in a press office for a large high street retailer, says “studying English at university didn’t get me where I am, but it did open up opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise had, like the opportunity to work in events.” It is important to remember that university is not all about the degree; it’s about the life experiences you gain and what you do with your time there. Many will argue that you don’t need a degree at all to become successful and this is true. However it is important to educate yourself, and experience as much as you can, as it is this academic and life knowledge that will give you the ability to make a success out of yourself. As a graduate, I would argue that getting my degree has been an invaluable journey. I have gained new friends, developed new skills and most importantly gained the confidence to try anything. A degree won’t make you an instant success in your career, but it’s a great way to start. ******

*Names have been changed for confidentiality.

****** This article would be published in Cosmopolitan, in the ‘Cosmo careers’ section. The article would spread across two to three pages, with sub headings for each section. I propose that the photography to accompany the article would be a photo shop. Each photo will depict the different paths to success; the graduate, the entrepreneur, the apprentice and the college student. ******

*Names have been changed for confidentiality....