what is it good for?

Key-Connors

an arts degree that is. i have arts in ucd number 1 on my cao because i have no idea what i want to do but im just thinking what sort of jobs are at the end of it i know its very broad but other than teaching im drawing a blank and getting worried that after three years im not going to be any nearer to a career i want to do.(i know i just said i dont know wat i want to do).any help appreciated?

Het-Field

I for one am en route to becoming a Barrister. I have a degree in History and Politics.

Im sure many other people can vouch for the quality of jobs available once an arts degree is complete.

Furthermore, many degrees outside of the liberal arts are simply a stepping stone. Commerce degrees dont guarantee that one will follow or be excepted into the professions synonomous with the degree. As I have said a law degree is not the only way to become a lawyer. I know plenty of people in top solicitor firms who are arts graduates. Science and Ag Science degrees are more often then not stepping stones into areas such as vet and med..

The only way one holds a bad degree is if they end up with a 3rd or a pass degree. This is due to the fact that no reputable college or uni will take the holder on for further study, nor will companies and firms be impressed enough to give one a job.

Remember with the exception of degrees like engineering, jobs are not given on the bases of the degree you hold. It is simply a qualification in a certain field. Virtually all graduates will need to sit further examinations to become a professional, enter the civil service, or upgrade their qualification. The primary degree simply allows you do these

spaceylou

In addition to what the last poster said, it also depends on what subjects you end up taking. I for example have just finished an arts degree in geography, planning and environmental policy. Some of my class mates are gone on to to a masters in planning, others in geography, some are going to do the Hdip to become teachers, others are doing a business masters, some are taking a year out, personally I'm about to start a masters in humanitarian action so basically you can do anything once you have a decent final grade and the right attitude.:)

Stabshauptmann

Re: Het-Field's post.

Many jobs require you to hold a professional qualification eg. Law, Accounting, Physiotherapy, Engineering, Investment Banking

Some degrees will give you an automatic professional qualification (physiotherapy afaik), some are geared towards them (commerce in UCD will exempt you from a full year of the aca's if you chose the right subjects).

The degree you do in college will not limit you to certain career paths or exclude you entirely from others; but it will make a difference, and some will open more doors than others.

Stepherunie

Even doing a professional degree doesn't preclude you from anything.

I did radiography and now I'm working housing which I really enjoy.

Unless you want something specific that you need a tailored degree for you can do whatever you like after an Arts degree. You just need to show a drive and enthusiasm.

You need to remember that employers will look at the skills set that you have acquired in a degree, more than the actual subjects in a lot of cases.

I mean I went for a radiography interview lately and I didn't get any questions on radiography, it was about me and my ability to work within groups and how I deal with situations.

How Strange

Key-Connors wrote: »

an arts degree that is. i have arts in ucd number 1 on my cao because i have no idea what i want to do but im just thinking what sort of jobs are at the end of it i know its very broad but other than teaching im drawing a blank and getting worried that after three years im not going to be any nearer to a career i want to do.(i know i just said i dont know wat i want to do).any help appreciated?

You really can't predict at this stage or any stage what career you'll end up in. I'm working in a sector which has nothing at all to do with my arts degree and 5 years ago I'd never have guessed that I'd be doing this job.

Unless you know exactly what you want to study then an arts degree is a good choice. Pick subjects you have a good interest in so you'll enjoy them.

A degree of any sort opens doors for you and makes some jobs available to you that you'd otherwise be excluded from.

IMO, enjoy your time in UCD, make friends, enjoy the social life and work towards getting an honours degree and by the time you reach 3rd year you should be able to decide what you want to do next. (If not do an MA!

Stabshauptmann

Stepherunie wrote: »

Even doing a professional degree doesn't preclude you from anything.

Well it wouldnt, would it? Your wording is very peculiar, who said it would?

I mean I went for a radiography interview lately and I didn't get any questions on radiography, it was about me and my ability to work within groups and how I deal with situations.

But at the same time, had you not done a radiography degree it would be the first thing they would have asked you about.


Just to clarify OP. Employers look for people with skills and knowledge.

Skills are things you pick up through hobbies, interests and experience.
You will pick up many skills in Arts such as communication and research that will be of use to employers.

Knowledge will be assessed primarily by your qualifications and some employers will also include an assessment centre as part of the selection process eg the Civil Service.

A Professional Degree is a degree that automatically gives you a professional qualification
eg you cant be a doctor or dentist without the appropriate degree.
If you did Arts there might be entry routes to these professions via post-graduate studies but I dont know of any and you might just have to do the primary degree. If you have to do the primary degree then the Arts degree has been wasted.

Other Professional Qualifications are attained after university
eg Law or Accounting.
When someone is a Chartered something or other you know they belong to a professional body. Some qualifications are harder than others, some take longer than others. Accounting takes three years and is recognised on the National Framework for Qualifications as the equivalent of a masters, the QFA which you need to work in insurance is piss easy and takes 18 months.

These qualifications are open to people of any background. Though some have prerequisites.

Not all careers require you to be a member of a professional body. If you have an interest in a certain career then post graduate study may be the way forward, but to be accepted into the course of your choice you you may be required to achieve a particular grade at undergraduate level.

The above 3 scenarios are for high end jobs. Ofcourse there are many many jobs for which none of the above are necessary, there are many jobs for which a degree at all is a non-requisite. There are many jobs you will need to have done a trade. And there are many jobs where the majority of you knowledge requirement will be in the form of on the job training.

I've a specialised degree, I'm studying towards 2 professional qualifications and still I receive quite a large amount of structured in house training. Such is the norm in certain industries.

Stepherunie

For those less cynical than you I was simply pointing out that you can do anything you like with any degree you have all you need is drive to succeed.

Handsome Bob

Key-Connors wrote: »

an arts degree that is. i have arts in ucd number 1 on my cao because i have no idea what i want to do but im just thinking what sort of jobs are at the end of it i know its very broad but other than teaching im drawing a blank and getting worried that after three years im not going to be any nearer to a career i want to do.(i know i just said i dont know wat i want to do).any help appreciated?

As already pointed out, a lot of degree's require further study, not just Arts. If I achieve my BSocSc I will not automatically qualify for Social Work/ Social Policy Analysis/ HR etc. etc. I will have to do a Masters.

Just make sure that you pick the subjects that you want to pick, don't let anyone discourage you. If you do that you will be on course to getting a degree that you will enjoy, and something that will be a stepping-stone.

That being said, achieving a degree is not the one and only key in getting a job you want. My best friend didn't go to college but he went through two interviews with Bank of Ireland and got recruited. They were more interested in personal characteristics such as determination, passion and the enthusiasm for the job rather than his qualifications. He started at the bottom but he has already been promoted.

Key-Connors

thanks for the replies. to het field did you do an arts degree in ucd and how long is it taking you to become a barrister and where are you doing it?

stereoroid

For a slightly controversial American view on Arts degrees, have a read of this from a Wall Street Journal columnist.

The solution is not better degrees, but no degrees. Young people entering the job market should have a known, trusted measure of their qualifications they can carry into job interviews. That measure should express what they know, not where they learned it or how long it took them. They need a certification, not a degree.

I was looking at the degree conferral schedules... most fields have a single ceremony, but they have to spread B.A. conferrals over five days. That's a lot of UCD Orts Grads hitting the job market at the same time... :eek:

Riamfada

Believe it or not some arts subjects are actually professional jobs. :pac:

convert

An Arts degree opens a huge amount of doors for you. I did a single subject honours degree and there were 16 in my class. Out of the 12 I kept in touch with here is a breakdown of what we're doing:

5 of us are completing PhDs
2 went on to become solicitors
2 went into financial institutions
2 became teachers (after doing MAs)
1 went back to their job as a psychiatrist

An arts degree is really broad so you can really just use it as a starting point and go into whatever area you find yourself interested in. Use your time in college to gain experience in different areas of work, get internships during the summer, etc. and you'll find your niche and what you want to do.

One thing I would suggest is that you do subjects you like and enjoy; like a previous poster mentioned, don't just do what someone tells you to do. It might be a good idea to go to lectures in a few different subjects to get a feel for them and see what works for you.

In addition, use your time in college to join clubs, societies, etc. and develop new interests. It'll look good on your CV as employers look for different skills, not just academic achievements.

Best of luck with whatever you choose!

mloc

I think the subjects you choose are far more important than the fact you choose an arts degree; a degree in french is completely different to a degree in maths or economics. try a few different subjects in 1st year to give yourself a better idea of where you want to go.