First off, let me introduce myself. My name is Adam and I have a degree in Politics and a masters in International Relations. Previous to getting these two qualifications I was as oblivious as most others to the world of politics and the issues around us that people, generally speaking have no interest in because it doesn’t affect them. For example unless you have a vested interest in the struggle in the Sudan or Palestine or are concerned with worker’s rights in China or the caste system that is stifling India’s potential can you honestly say that you have any kind of insight into these problems? The answer is probably no. Domestic politics bores me to tears but in a strange way that is a compliment. We have it so easy here and despite the stories you hear about MP’s fiddling expenses and student fees rising out of control we don’t have the same issues other countries have to contend with. However the later of those two examples is something that should start a fire in the belly of anyone who has a degree, who wants to get a degree or who wants their children to get degrees.
I will say something controversial to start off with – there are too many people getting too many degrees – there I’ve said it. However the students themselves cannot be blamed for this. Infact its the older generation (many of whom are responsible for increasing the fees and reigniting a politicaly charged younger generation). A conversation between those who gained degrees 10+ years ago (for free might I add) and those who have just graduated tend to go like so.
Young person: I just get so annoyed with the older generation!
Adult: Why?
Young person: Because when I grew up, we were forced fed the idea that if we didn’t want to be flipping burgers at McDonalds, then we had better go to college.
Young person: And now we’ve gone to college, have degrees, can’t get a job, the same people call us entitled so and so’s because we refuse to flip burgers when we leave university
Adult: Touche
The current recession is proof that service based economies are not stable. Rather than encouraging those who are not academically gifted into university, give them a real chance by giving them a vocation. For example I can say with a high degree of confidence that Britain can do without degrees such as Beauty and Therapy and Spa Management that is offered at the University of Bedfordshire, Salon Business Management at University College Birmingham or the strange combination of Dance and Geography available at Bath Spa University. This isn’t some kind of elitist rant, it’s more a rant at the lack of common sense. Apprenticeships, working and learning at the same time are far more beneficial than charging young people for degrees that don’t really open any doors and leave them with huge debts.
Its time to go back to basics, apprenticeships in manufacturing should be heavily funded to rebuild the foundations of the economy and to get young people back into ‘meaningful’ work. The value of a degree has been substantially reduced due to the sheer number of those who have them. And ironically those who did apprenticeships or were willing to start at the bottom rung of the business ladder now have jobs and experience – something those with degrees do not. Its time the government to serious steps to rebalance this job market and end the catch 22 situation.
