College graduates and your degrees

some_dose

After spending 4 years doing a BSc and another year doing an MSc I've still yet to get a job in my related field (there is only 2 places in Ireland that will hire me).

So college graduates I ask you this, have you ended up working in the field in any way related to your degree?

Yea, landed a job related to the course a month or two before the recession hit. Lucky stuff.

Don't work there anymore though.. 2 years was about right.

Oh_Noes

Same. Pre-recession good degree related, well paying job.

Post-recession I have an unskilled, unrelated lowpaying job.

some_dose

Oh_Noes wrote: »

Same. Pre-recession good degree related, well paying job.

Post-recession I have an unskilled, unrelated lowpaying job.

Ditto

Sisko

No , not yet anyway.

Xavi6

Yes but I had to move to the other side of the world to be able to use it.

some_dose

Xavi6 wrote: »

Yes but I had to move to the other side of the world to be able to use it.

While I really want to stay and work in Ireland, i think that will be the case for me in months come.

And I'm really not looking forward to it.

Davidius

Have a relative that graduated last year with a BEng who landed a lob.

pow wow

Yep but it was badly paid. Had I not had the bright idea to go to college at 23 I'd still be in the job I was in before and would be filthy rich. Education set me free.....really :rolleyes:

watna

Nope, never worked in the field my degree is in, never will and I don't want to. I'm ok with it though, it's a choice I made and I've done ok. I am grateful for having a degree though. I recently got a promotion at work and if I hadn't had a degree I wouldn't have been considered for it.

didntgotoplan

Nope haven't used it, was told lack of experience was the reason for not getting anything in my field. I'm studying a second degree part time which has nothing to do with what I'm working at either.

L'prof

I have a fairly all paid job, which I kept when I went back to college to do my degree. I'm working there over 6 years now and keep putting applications on the long finger despite knowing that there are jobs out there in my field. The hope to go travelling was my reasoning before, but I really should have gotten the finger out straight away!

cassid

yes

Krieg

Yep im fecked too.

Think ive had enough, time to pack up and leave, someone call me when Ireland is hiring again.

emeraldstar

Yep, but not in Ireland. That said though I didn't try to get a job in Ireland; it's not the best place for my industry (pre- or post-recession), and I also wanted out of there tbh.

Azureus

I got a job the summer before I started college and stuck with it throughout my degree.
Almost five years later and I've got my qualifications, and a promotion in the field I was in the first place, unrelated to the course I did. I like it though, and if I had known how much I enjoyed the industry I probably would have done a degree in this instead!

Contemplating going for a masters in the field on the thinking that it'd be good to have qualifications that are directly relevant, but these days further education seems to hold you back rather than push you forward. Think ill keep my head down and work away for now!

6 years of Maths&theoretical physics -> Maths job

So yeah, related

galwayrush

My wife has 2 and a H dip, atm she's doing a third in psycology.

Squirm

I have a BA and am in the process of obtaining my second BA (one year to go, have deferred due to cash flow issues).

I got a good degree of work experience under my belt pre-recession and was lucky enough to hold on to my job right up until I got pregnant... then my contract was mysteriously dissolved.

I am now looking for work and while I have a good CV it is very competitive.

I have found that a lot of employers are now hiring staff, in related fields to my own (i.e. the fields I would look for work in if I was unable to find work that directly relates), through the WPP and/or CE schemes. I can't help but feel that, while I think they are very worthwhile programmes, employers would appear to be withdrawing paid employment in favour of 'free' labour now... but to my dismay!!

I hope to find something in my field and have not yet considered looking outside of my field yet. I hope to not need to.
I have looked at further training and qulifications, both in my sector and others that interest me, in the hope of upskilling.

Good luck to those in a similar or even more disheartening position.

LenaClaire

My BA is in Theater and I have ended up working in IT and then went back and got a Masters in IT.

So my first degree has nothing to do with my current job but my second degree does.

PeakOutput

I graduate in may and I got a job two weeks ago, I already had guaranteed employment for the next year but this new one is what I wanted to do before i came to college and it lets me work from anywhere in the world wiith an internet connection, ****ing delighted

Aswerty

Graduated in 2009 with a BEng. Compared to then the job market is flush withs jobs. In 2009 every industry went on hire freezes because they didn't know what the fock was going to happen. Anyways I did a Masters from 2009-2010 and got a job related to it 2 months after finishing it. To be honest the fact that in 2010 there was actually jobs to apply for was a huge improvement on 2009.

6679

Yup, though there is a trade off as I have to learn the business side of things which I was crap at in school.

Spent 4 years getting my B.Sc (graduated in October 2010) went traveling for the summer after finishing and 6 months later I got a a place in an graduate program with an investment bank.

Though I will be paying tax to The Queen.

All of my class mates from my course who looked for work have gotten jobs. Bar me and another lad they have all gotten jobs in The Republic.

littlehedgehog

Yup, science degree, graduated in 2009, and got a sciencey, computer based job just after graduating.

tonsiltickler

Got very good results in my engineering degree. Then no one wanted me... Now I'm doing an M Eng Sc. Don't think it'll be any better but I want to head away anyway! cant complain really

the keen edge

some_dose wrote: »

After spending 4 years doing a BSc and another year doing an MSc I've still yet to get a job in my related field (there is only 2 places in Ireland that will hire me).

So college graduates I ask you this, have you ended up working in the field in any way related to your degree?

There's only two potential employer for you in this country?. Can I ask what your BSc and MSc are in OP?

mojesius

I did my cert in Media Production, undergrad in Journalism and MA in Int. Politics. Finding work in journalism proved difficult, probably due to the sheer abundance of natural talent and informed engagement with pressing issues within our national media.

I have since defied my lecturers' guidance and sold my soul to advertising. Contrary to their opinions, it's a damn good gig, which I really enjoy.

some_dose

the keen edge wrote: »

There's only two potential employer for you in this country?. Can I ask what your BSc and MSc are in OP?

I did my BSc in Zoology and my MSc in Fisheries management. Realistically the only places I would be able to get a job is with the Marine Institute or a university but with restrictions on recruitment and intense competition, it's very difficult.

Setun

My degree was in fine art (stop sniggering :P) but I specialised in digital media, and I am now lucky enough to have found a job working as a producer for digital media exhibitions in the Netherlands while developing my own sporadically busy arts practice. Back to college in September for a masters though, which I'm really looking forward to.

epgc3fyqirnbsx

I have an arts degree

mojesius

Daddio wrote: »

My degree was in fine art (stop sniggering :P) but I specialised in digital media, and I am now lucky enough to have found a job working as a producer for digital media exhibitions in the Netherlands while developing my own sporadically busy arts practice. Back to college in September for a masters though, which I'm really looking forward to.

Best of luck with the masters

watna

some_dose wrote: »

I did my BSc in Zoology and my MSc in Fisheries management. Realistically the only places I would be able to get a job is with the Marine Institute or a university but with restrictions on recruitment and intense competition, it's very difficult.

I'm pretty sure the Ministry of Fisheries here in Wellington will be hiring soon.

Just putting it out there

nyarlothothep

Daddio wrote: »

My degree was in fine art (stop sniggering :P) but I specialised in digital media, and I am now lucky enough to have found a job working as a producer for digital media exhibitions in the Netherlands while developing my own sporadically busy arts practice. Back to college in September for a masters though, which I'm really looking forward to.

(Good) digital art/fine art requires a fckload of skill and knowledge, don't know why people think its "easy."

Sheeps

it seems that there are very few new jobs in my field every week. a lot of agencies keep reposting the old jobs to get them bumped so I have applied for them all. it also seems that most companies are looking for people with masters and post graduate qualifications rather than fresh degree graduates these days and I suppose they have the luxury of choice in this climate.

desaparecidos

some_dose wrote: »

So college graduates I ask you this, have you ended up working in the field in any way related to your degree?

Yes.

The problem is most college courses are too easy and the people who receive degrees do so by barely passing these easy courses. So the reason recent graduates don't have jobs is because the quality of graduates is piss poor.

eco2live

I have a Masters and 17 years management experience. I am on the dole as I was made redundant at crimbo. I cant get a job that pays more then when you total up:

Medical card
Dole x2
Rent allowance

My wife is a full time mother so her dole kicked in too after I was let go. Such a load of bollox that I am still better off on the dole then taking a 50k job. The job I was let go from was twice that. The working poor are the worst off in our society. It has been a real eye opener since I was let go.

ulinbac

Have a BSc. in Maths and Economics and couldn't get a job only free internships.

Doing an MSc. in Maths now. Want to work in Finance, front office positions, but unbelievably competitive. Get interviews and to the final round where I always seem to fail even when I come out confident.

The fiance jobs in Ireland are a waste of time. Going to emigrate to the Orient (if finances pick up) when I finish in September, as there is better experience abroad anyway.

questionmark?

Yep but have to spend a large part of the year across the pond. Still trying to figure out if it was worth all the hassle of going to college

I really feel sorry for those graduating last year or over the course of the next three or four years there really isnt going to be any opportunities and emigration seems to be the only answer.

Sometimes I think of those that left school at 16 and went to work in the construction industry and did so for 6 or seven years and had a great time. Holidays, cars, money for going out doing what they wanted although on the flip side they are well and truely ****ed now!!

eco2live wrote: »

. Such a load of bollox that I am still better off on the dole then taking a 50k job.

I dont know if you mistyped or what. Because I cant see how you would get 50k a year?

I would really like to see a breakdown of that.

Dont have the figures right now but a married couple with kids would get what 300 odd euro per week. Maybe you could inform me.

childrens allowance whatever that is say 150 per month for the first child.

rent allowance depends on where you live in this country. Give me an idea of the range your in.

Not a dole basher I understand why people are on it. The ones I have a problem with are the ones who see it as a lifestyle choice and considering you said you earned 100k a year and your qualifications I doubt its a lifestyle choice but I would appreciate if you could inform me how its better than taking a job that pays 50k a year?

Mossin

Nope, after spending 5 years in university doing a BBS and an MBS, I emigrated to the USA 3 weeks ago to work in an Irish Bar because I couldnt get any work in Ireland related to my degrees.

Dudess

Nope. Did for a while though.

rolo454

At the moment I have a level 5 and level 6 FETAC business degrees and I am taking a year out before going to college. I have being wondering for the past week whether my friends will actually get any use out of their degrees. After reading this thread I have decided to go for something I love to do and will have fun with rather then something I will get a high paying job from; i.e. do outdoor pursuits instead of software development. Cheers!
And in a few years if I decide I want an IT degree sure I'll just go back to college and get one...

El Horseboxo

I've a masters in psychology and criminal behavior and a separate degree in forensic anthropology. Couldn't get a job in Ireland related to either fields of study. But got one in Belgium with ICMEC which eventually allowed me to return to Ireland and work from home. Plan to is to try get a job with the UN next or maybe the FBI or within law enforcement in the US since we already work close enough with them. Have citizenship so that's not a problem.

Millicent

pow wow wrote: »

Yep but it was badly paid. Had I not had the bright idea to go to college at 23 I'd still be in the job I was in before and would be filthy rich. Education set me free.....really :rolleyes:

Feck it. Better than to be thinking "what if" and kicking yourself for not doing what interested you. I know a load of people in steady jobs now that are eating away at them slowly that they can't get away from.

Although, I can empathise. If I had have behaved myself in the beginnings of college, I'd have beat the start of the recession so the above ^ may have been soothing myself as well as you!

Sugar Free

Yes, it's broadly related. Have a science degree and work for a company that provides services to pharma companies.

Dudess

I did arts - wish I'd done different subjects (especially a language) but otherwise, arts was definitely the right degree for me. I did a more specialised postgrad and it's too difficult to secure solid employment in it, but it definitely helped me hone skills that could be applied to other jobs.

GLaDOS

Can't wait to graduate next year...

Twee.

ScienceNerd wrote: »

Can't wait to graduate next year...

Me either. I'll have a BA Business and Arts Management. Oh dear god. "Follow your dreams, Twee" BULL**** I was this close to doing Baking and Pastry Arts. I could have worked in any kitchen in any country. Dang.

I'm already looking in 12 Month Visa to the States. **** a masters or postgrad. Money better spent on going away.

Currently doing an MPharm so hopefully my job will something to do with that.:p

Misty Chaos

I have a Level 5 FETAC award in Graphic Design, which was a stepping stone for me to get into a 3 year ordinary degree in Graphic Design.

Worst mistake I ever made, hated the course and was barely getting by so after 3 years, after being screwed over by the college when I found out I to redo 4 projects over the summer on which I only found out about a MONTH after getting summer break and still failing, I packed it in. It was a difficult decision for me to walk away from but in all honestly, I did so for the sake of my sanity and I also knew the degree would be useless to me.

Right now, I'm doing a FETAC Level 6 / BETEC HND in Multimedia and am generally a lot happier. I finish up in May and plan on doing some freelancing as to be quite honest, its probably my only option in the current economic climate. I'm a bit nervous about finishing up but I'm sure I'll be fine.

I do plan on doing the Australia thing as well in the 3 - 4 years, when I have the money saved.

Nothingbetter2d

galwayrush wrote: »

My wife has 2 and a H dip, atm she's doing a third in psycology.

thats risky business......i bet she'll get lots of reject letters saying "sorry but now your too overqualified and we are too stingy to pay you"

Nothingbetter2d

eco2live wrote: »

I have a Masters and 17 years management experience. I am on the dole as I was made redundant at crimbo. I cant get a job that pays more then when you total up:

Medical card
Dole x2
Rent allowance

My wife is a full time mother so her dole kicked in too after I was let go. Such a load of bollox that I am still better off on the dole then taking a 50k job. The job I was let go from was twice that. The working poor are the worst off in our society. It has been a real eye opener since I was let go.

i'm about to join you on the dole queue soon being made redundant at the end of this month