I’ve been accused of being anti-aspirational when I question the value of degrees, as though I am determined to make universities a privileged-only zone and stop talented low-income kids from becoming lawyers, doctors, teachers, scientists.
I’m not.
Everyone should get to go to university if they want to. And of course, we need those professions. I also don’t want to be too mercenary.
If there is a subject that you love, and learning about it makes your heart sing, then you should go forth and graduate – but embark upon that degree with your eyes open to the long-lasting financial agreement you are entering into.
I had no clue. I was a particularly naive 18-year-old who went to university simply because it was the next step. It never occurred to me that I was making a commitment to hand over a significant portion of my salary for years to come.
I didn’t know what I wanted to do and, looking back, I wish I had taken some time to think and try my hand at a few jobs rather than just going with the (educated) herd.
It took me ten years to find the thing I wanted to do – journalism – and I even did a masters in it. But I can honestly say that everything I needed to know I learnt on my first job, at a press agency, where I worked hard and was paid appallingly, received no bylines, but benefited from the best training in the business.
I don’t think this is journalism-specific. I suspect that most careers are learnt on the job and not in the lecture hall.
We all make mistakes, but I’ve still got £21,000 to pay off for mine.
