Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all,
Vanilla are planning an update to the site on April 24th (next Wednesday). It is a major PHP8 update which is expected to boost performance across the site. The site will be down from 7pm and it is expected to take about an hour to complete. We appreciate your patience during the update.
Thanks all.

If you could go back and change the degree you studied at college, what would it be?

  • 01-07-2020 9:58pm
    #1
    Richiepiano123
    Registered Users Posts: 8 ✭


    Just finished my fourth year of Medicine. Was pushed into it from parental pressure but now I seriously regret it. Especially now with the coronavirus, I see what doctors have to go through and I don't think I'm capable or even passionate about it.

    If I could go back I'd do Electronic/Computer Engineering in a heartbeat, because I've always liked maths and technology.

    Interested to hear if anyone on here has similar stories


«13

Comments

  • #2
    gmisk
    Registered Users Posts: 31,825 ✭✭✭✭gmisk


    I did a bsc hons in computer science.
    I enjoyed it and still work in ICT I did a masters since in a related IT area, which was a bit of a slog.

    I would definitely study architecture if I could go back in time. But a bit too late now.


  • #3
    screamer
    Registered Users Posts: 6,131 ✭✭✭screamer


    Richiepiano123 wrote: »
    Just finished my fourth year of Medicine. Was pushed into it from parental pressure but now I seriously regret it. Especially now with the coronavirus, I see what doctors have to go through and I don't think I'm capable or even passionate about it.

    If I could go back I'd do Electronic/Computer Engineering in a heartbeat, because I've always liked maths and technology.

    Interested to hear if anyone on here has similar stories

    Congrats to you. I’ve a degree in computer science but always wanted to be a doctor, wish I’d have had the means to make that happen but wasn’t to be.
    You can always move out of something, but do that before you have mortgages and other serious debts.


  • #4
    Ubbquittious
    Registered Users Posts: 6,177 ✭✭✭Ubbquittious


    Did electronic engineering, wouldnt change it


  • #5
    buried
    Registered Users Posts: 9,674 ✭✭✭buried


    Richiepiano123 wrote: »
    Just finished my fourth year of Medicine. Was pushed into it from parental pressure but now I seriously regret it. Especially now with the coronavirus, I see what doctors have to go through and I don't think I'm capable or even passionate about it.

    If I could go back I'd do Electronic/Computer Engineering in a heartbeat, because I've always liked maths and technology.

    Interested to hear if anyone on here has similar stories

    You can always go and study it in your spare time as a hobby. If maths and tech is something you've always liked, there is literally nothing stopping you learning more about it, especially nowadays. Education should never stop no matter what you do.

    "You have disgraced yourselves again" - W. B. Yeats



  • #6
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 8,647 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Richiepiano123 wrote: »
    Just finished my fourth year of Medicine. Was pushed into it from parental pressure but now I seriously regret it. Especially now with the coronavirus, I see what doctors have to go through and I don't think I'm capable or even passionate about it.

    If I could go back I'd do Electronic/Computer Engineering in a heartbeat, because I've always liked maths and technology.

    Interested to hear if anyone on here has similar stories

    Hi mate. I don't work with as a medic. I'm a pharmacist but potential to specialise in radiology? Has some engineering aspects you describe.


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    Potential-Monke
    Registered Users Posts: 13,802 ✭✭✭✭Potential-Monke


    I would like to go back a bit further to 5th year in secondary school, and not take their sthye excuse that I couldn't continue with Technical Graphics because it was clashing with French, and I would simply refuse to do French so I could do TG. Because I didn't do that, I missed out on a potential career in something that I genuinely loved doing, and was my best subject in school (100% in all tests and the Honors JC) along with Maths (see where this is going?). Instead I had to do Business which I had, and still, absolutely no interest in.

    If I could only go back go college times, I would do a game design course.


  • #8
    Gregor Samsa
    Registered Users Posts: 8,905 ✭✭✭Gregor Samsa


    I did Fine Art Painting. No regrets at all.

    Never even attempted to work as an artist, ended up a web developer, got an MA in Digital Media Technology along the way, and now manage a mixed-discipline team in an e-commerce company. But I wouldn’t change my time in college for anything. And it wasn’t just the fun I had. The freedom of the Fine Art degree made me who I am, and taught me really, really valuable skills in problem solving. Technical knowledge aside, almost everything else I’ve ever had to do in my career has been problem solving in one way or another.


  • #9
    McGinniesta
    Registered Users Posts: 4,402 ✭✭✭McGinniesta


    I have three of them and I still struggle to find work sometimes.

    Accounting

    Mathematics and

    Journalism


  • #10
    gogo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,452 ✭✭✭gogo


    I am a knob and studied philosophy... cause I like to read and what better course than philosophy if you like to read. Absolutely messed with my head, didn’t know who I was, what I was and if I was only here because I though I was here. Also zero job potential outside of fast food.

    I went back and got studied IT, back then they were screaming out for IT professionals, and there was a huge market for workers, worked my arse off and completed an accelerated course, did two years in 12 mths, got work in a finance company but somehow started studying finance in my own time, got a junior role and worked my way up, I’ve basically spent the last 8 years studying in my own time to make up for my awful college choice, graduates walk in to roles that it took me years of work to reach...

    I do feel like I sold out though, I bought a watch, wear the suits, the heels... I sometimes think back to the philosophy days with a hippy attitude and dirty converse and spending the afternoons wondered why we are all here...


  • #11
    Richard Hillman
    Registered Users Posts: 12,033 ✭✭✭✭Richard Hillman


    I would do History. Something I like and would enjoy. I already did a so called Job Degree and got nothing from it so I may as well do something that I would like.


  • Advertisement
  • #12
    begbysback
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,910 ✭✭✭begbysback


    gogo wrote: »
    I am a knob and studied philosophy... cause I like to read and what better course than philosophy if you like to read. Absolutely messed with my head, didn’t know who I was, what I was and if I was only here because I though I was here. Also zero job potential outside of fast food.

    I went back and got studied IT, back then they were screaming out for IT professionals, and there was a huge market for workers, worked my arse off and completed an accelerated course, did two years in 12 mths, got work in a finance company but somehow started studying finance in my own time, got a junior role and worked my way up, I’ve basically spent the last 8 years studying in my own time to make up for my awful college choice, graduates walk in to roles that it took me years of work to reach...

    I do feel like I sold out though, I bought a watch, wear the suits, the heels... I sometimes think back to the philosophy days with a hippy attitude and dirty converse and spending the afternoons wondered why we are all here...

    I’m the opposite, have the IT stuff and a job that pays more than I’m worth. Would like to do the philosophy but I get what you mean by messing with your head, it seems that some end needs to be achieved in such areas but the only person I see who seems to have achieved a level of completion would be Jordan Peterson, and they do seem rare. I know he’s technically a psychologist but he seems to me to be one of the modern day philosophers too.

    Although IT and philosophy seem worlds apart some of the ancient philosophers were also well known as logicians too, which is pretty much the basis of IT.


  • #13
    Airyfairy12
    Registered Users Posts: 3,389 ✭✭✭Airyfairy12


    My undergrad degree requires a masters to gain any sort of non precarious employment, unless youre lucky/very well connected, masters courses are so expensive its just not really an option for me. Theres also now an updated version of the undergrad course I did that now includes extra modules and joint qualifications in technology, education and graphics which hugely outshines the old course as the masters is not needed to gain employment with the new one. Very frustrating. So for that reason alone id probably pursue either social care or something in marketing just for the jobs prospects, marketing would kill me but unemployment and precarious work is no fun.


  • #14
    jimmycrackcorm
    Registered Users Posts: 14,329 ✭✭✭✭jimmycrackcorm


    McGinniesta wrote: »
    I have three of them and I still struggle to find work sometimes.

    Accounting

    Mathematics and

    Journalism

    What I like about IT is that you don't need a degree to become successful. The founders of Apple, Microsoft and Facebook amnogst others dropped out of college.


  • #15
    Vestiapx
    Registered Users Posts: 985 ✭✭✭Vestiapx


    I started a electronic engineering degree in the 90s and straight away got trapped in the girlfriend and college drinking thing. Fell out by the end of the year went back a while later and studied chemistry, why , because it allowed me say " I wasn't interested in the electronic engineering so that's why I did chemistry "

    That was a lie the truth is I should have done the engineering.
    So with a chemistry degree I ended up doing the engineering and it roles in pharma plants and now I use only my engineering skills and none of my science stuff.

    So my point is I literally did the wrong degree because it gave me an excuse why I drank and whored my way to failure the first time round.

    I'm a big advocate of people doing a years work and paying bills etc before they go to college so they don't get caught by the girls an booze.


  • #16
    Higgins5473
    Registered Users Posts: 1,365 ✭✭✭Higgins5473


    Richiepiano123 wrote: »
    Just finished my fourth year of Medicine. Was pushed into it from parental pressure but now I seriously regret it. Especially now with the coronavirus, I see what doctors have to go through and I don't think I'm capable or even passionate about it.

    If I could go back I'd do Electronic/Computer Engineering in a heartbeat, because I've always liked maths and technology.

    Interested to hear if anyone on here has similar stories

    I qualified as a primary school teacher 20 years ago and set up a business 10 years in. That’s folded due to what has happened and am headed back into teaching..,,if i had my time back I would’ve gone into a trade, woodwork and fine cabinetry, it’s become a hobby and a passion but I am by no means skilled. Apparently a good course in Waterford but I think it’s too late.


  • #17
    Church on Tuesday
    Registered Users Posts: 3,858 ✭✭✭Church on Tuesday


    Business.


  • #18
    CBear1993
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,397 ✭✭✭CBear1993


    McGinniesta wrote: »
    I have three of them and I still struggle to find work sometimes.

    Accounting

    Mathematics and

    Journalism

    Ok journalism, but accounting? One of the most in demand jobs in 2020 even for grads!!!


  • #19
    Higgins5473
    Registered Users Posts: 1,365 ✭✭✭Higgins5473


    Vestiapx wrote: »
    I started a electronic engineering degree in the 90s and straight away got trapped in the girlfriend and college drinking thing. Fell out by the end of the year went back a while later and studied chemistry, why , because it allowed me say " I wasn't interested in the electronic engineering so that's why I did chemistry "

    That was a lie the truth is I should have done the engineering.
    So with a chemistry degree I ended up doing the engineering and it roles in pharma plants and now I use only my engineering skills and none of my science stuff.

    So my point is I literally did the wrong degree because it gave me an excuse why I drank and whored my way to failure the first time round.

    I'm a big advocate of people doing a years work and paying bills etc before they go to college so they don't get caught by the girls an booze.

    Sounds like you did alright in fairness. Booze, riding, engineering, chemistry. That’s what it’s all about no? An all round experience. Decent job at the end of it.

    Youré on to something with the leap from the oppressive secondary system into a free for all in college though. It’s mentioned often that it’s a shock to the system and how much we lose the run of ourselves.


  • #20
    MrMiata
    Closed Accounts Posts: 393 ✭✭MrMiata


    Currently studying business.
    I wouldn’t mind but I actually left part way through a business degree the first time round and I vowed I wouldn’t go back to it..
    Spent awhile as an apprentice electrician and I’ve landed myself back into another business degree.

    Still of no interest to me but it’s manageable and every time I pass an exam I feel a sense of ‘yes, a little closer to being done with this ****bag degree’


  • #21
    CBear1993
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,397 ✭✭✭CBear1993


    Did quantity surveying because all men on both sides of the family worked in construction, I spent my summers off school on sites.
    Mix of parental influence and I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do leaving school at 18 - so I wandered into that course.

    Even in my final year I absolutely detested it and questioned why I was doing it. I’m glad I have a degree now of some sort, but I honestly wouldn’t advise any young person to go into the construction industry, extremely toxic and thankless.

    I’m approaching 27 soon and still trying to find my calling/passion. Going to take a leap of faith and do a postgrad in September to get the hell out of this crap I’m in. It pays well and that is literally the only reason I’m in it. I’m above what I’m worth salary wise and have jumped the ladder quicker than people my age. I know I am bright and I would excel in another industry if someone took a chance on me as I’ve loads of hunger and drive, but unfortunately that doesn’t get you in the door no matter how much tailoring of my CV and cover letter I do. QS’ing literally sent me on a Downward spiral of depression and going between numerous jobs in a short space of time, it got to the stage I couldn’t get myself out of bed in the morning to face the day for work.

    I searched the “top 20 in demand career professions in Ireland” earlier and saw a few articles on what’s in demand from now to 2025.

    I’ll pick one of those to do a 1 year postgrad in and see where it takes me. No way am I going back to college for any longer. They’re all money making institutions and if you can get away with experience only and not needing to go near them all the better. With the exception of medicine / doctors etc level 5 on a scale of 1-5 careers. Something you literally can’t do without having the qualification or accreditation / license of the regulating authority within that industry.

    If I could tell people at school pre college - So basically - Don’t go to college and do what your parents advise you to do EVER or do something because it seems like the most logical progression as you know nothing else. Take some online personality tests, do 1 and 2 week work experiences in loads of different local firms in the summer.


  • Advertisement
  • #22
    Quantum Erasure
    Registered Users Posts: 8,160 ✭✭✭Quantum Erasure


    I didn't study to any degree at all, so yeah, I'd change that


  • #23
    McGinniesta
    Registered Users Posts: 4,402 ✭✭✭McGinniesta


    CBear1993 wrote: »
    Ok journalism, but accounting? One of the most in demand jobs in 2020 even for grads!!!

    Honestly, I've qualified nearly a year ago and cant get full time work.


  • #24
    CBear1993
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,397 ✭✭✭CBear1993


    McGinniesta wrote: »
    Honestly, I've qualified nearly a year ago and cant get full time work.

    Do you live in a remote area?

    How many years in college have you spent on all of those, were they 4 year undergrads? That’s some slog!


  • #25
    Kylta
    Registered Users Posts: 15,457 ✭✭✭✭Kylta


    Psychology

    Gynecologist


  • #26
    McGinniesta
    Registered Users Posts: 4,402 ✭✭✭McGinniesta


    CBear1993 wrote: »
    Do you live in a remote area?

    How many years in college have you spent on all of those, were they 4 year undergrads? That’s some slog!

    2 of them were part time. I'm not married and have no kids so it wasnt really that bad


  • #27
    gailforecast
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 140 ✭✭gailforecast


    I studied English literature to a masters level. I was all set to do a PhD but decided to travel. Whilst trying to find work, I realised how utterly useless it was, and that I’d basically wasted 4 years of my life. Went back, did a HDip in CS, and I’ve been a developer for years now. If I had a do over, I’d probably have studied CS


  • #28
    This is it
    Registered Users Posts: 5,184 ✭✭✭This is it


    Did an apprenticeship as an electrician straight from school. Loved it but when the arse fell out of construction there was feck all work. I was forced back to college and I'm delighted I was. Studied Computer Science as a mature student and absolutely love what I do now.


  • #29
    Echoes675
    Registered Users Posts: 256 ✭✭Echoes675


    Richiepiano123 wrote: »
    Just finished my fourth year of Medicine. Was pushed into it from parental pressure but now I seriously regret it. Especially now with the coronavirus, I see what doctors have to go through and I don't think I'm capable or even passionate about it.

    If I could go back I'd do Electronic/Computer Engineering in a heartbeat, because I've always liked maths and technology.

    Interested to hear if anyone on here has similar stories

    I did an Undergraduate and then a Masters in Music and found a job in tech support. Played music in bands, recorded, did videos and all that but there was never any real income and I didn't want to be a teacher. Worked in similar kinds of IT roles for about 9 or so years but last year returned to Uni and did a conversion Masters in Software Development and am now working as a Software Engineer.

    So glad there are such courses and that I was able to do that. I had looked into going back to uni previously but was told £9000 per year and no loan for a 2nd degree (didn't have one for my 1st either as I lived at home and didn't have the same costs as other students at the time).

    The Software Engineering focus only really came about after working in IT systems jobs and realising that I really enjoyed writing scripts and doing web development and all that side of it. I did an online programming course in Udemy with Java and discovered something that I not only enjoyed but am good at too. That's when I came across the conversion course and grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

    Like you, I was pushed to go to uni at 18 and in no way was ready to make the best choice or make the most of it. A few years working in the real world would have opened my eyes. Not that I wouldn't do music again but that I would make it more effective and make better use of the opportunities; probably study at a different Uni.

    The other thing I will say is, when I completed my Undergraduate I had spent 3 years on my chosen subject and I felt totally burned out at the end. I put down my instruments and didn't play them for a couple of months. I just needed that time to mentally take a break from it all.


  • #30
    antimatterx
    Registered Users Posts: 2,660 ✭✭✭antimatterx


    I have a computer science degree and love working in tech, but if I had to change my course, I'd probably choose law and politics.


  • Advertisement
  • #31
    bilbot79
    Registered Users Posts: 1,980 ✭✭✭bilbot79


    gogo wrote: »
    I am a knob and studied philosophy... cause I like to read and what better course than philosophy if you like to read. Absolutely messed with my head, didn’t know who I was, what I was and if I was only here because I though I was here. Also zero job potential outside of fast food.

    I went back and got studied IT, back then they were screaming out for IT professionals, and there was a huge market for workers, worked my arse off and completed an accelerated course, did two years in 12 mths, got work in a finance company but somehow started studying finance in my own time, got a junior role and worked my way up, I’ve basically spent the last 8 years studying in my own time to make up for my awful college choice, graduates walk in to roles that it took me years of work to reach...

    I do feel like I sold out though, I bought a watch, wear the suits, the heels... I sometimes think back to the philosophy days with a hippy attitude and dirty converse and spending the afternoons wondered why we are all here...

    Wrong choice if you want money and a regular life. Not otherwise though.


Advertisement