'You Should Learn a Trade'

'What do you do at Uni?'

'English Literature'

'Oh, and what are you going to do with that?'

'SHOVE IT UP YOUR ARSE!'

A conversation that many undergraduates and postgraduates will suffer throughout their education. Many a time have people questioned me on what I will specifically do with my history degree... erm... frame it? File it? What they mean is, what do you intend to make a living with after you've finished studying, but is that really all people study for? If studying is only ever a means to an end (the end being related employment), would there even be subjects such as Philosophy, Creative writing or History? Yet, if there weren't subjects like these, who would be the great thinkers, write the books you can't put down or challenge preconceptions? Education is about more than just getting a job at the end of it, you can get a job whilst you study, education is simply about learning.

I was just gunna pat my armpits dry with mine...

However, there are practicalities to consider- such as 'I got a bar job to tide me over during my degree... that was 7 years ago now. I am still here.'. According to the Guardian, Computer Sciences has the lowest rate of employment of all academic schools, with Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science having the highest. So, if you want to study a degree that will earn you some dosh later on than go for one of these three. But let's be honest- is anyone capable of studying an entire degree on a subject they don't give two shites about, just to get a relevant job afterwards? Could Bill Gates study Performing Arts? Could Thomas Hobbes study Physics?

In all the bars and restaurants I have worked, people have always questioned my degree: 'what are you going to do with that?' to which I respond 'Oh, not sure- Politics? Teaching? Journalism? Hell, I might don some fluff and become a Playboy bunny'. How am I ever supposed to know, they don't hand out time machines in freshers' week. One of the best comments is 'you should learn a trade' (this was my driving instructor). To be skilled in a trade is grand, but someone needs to write the books that the carpenter enjoys when s/he gets home, just as someone needs to craft the desk where that book was written. Everybody has a role to play- but I'll bet my driving instructor has never said to a plumber 'you should do a Games Design course', as it would rubbish their trade- so why is it consistently acceptable for undergrads and postgrads to be criticised for studying? I would never dream of asking a colleague what they are planning to do 'next' in some condescending manner.

I just feel so sorry for 2012 enrollers...

With unemployment rates rising, and University fees increasing (A LOT) it is, of course, important to think of the future and build your CV up. However if you want to, you should mostly study for the love of it- no other justification is needed. Who knows what the future will hold, hopefully money, hopefully cheesecake, but mostly hopefully happiness- which can be achieved whether or not you have a degree.