h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Would appreciate an answer - can't be bothered to put it up on ask h2g2 if yous guys know.

How important is an undergraduate Batchelors degree? I've been looking at courses to try and find a temporary career (ie : so I can make money to live instead of sponging off people - I'm officially getting too old to do that now), and the one that seems perfect for me requires me to have that.

I don't.

Should I move onto finding another option, or should I give it a go and email the college (it's here in Canada) in a wild attempt at pot luck to see if they would let me do the course anyway?

Contacting the college has got to be worthwhile as they may be able to tell you why they want a batchelors if indeed they do insist on it. They may even have some other options not listed in the standard adverts which would count as preparatory to the course. Perhaps they want proof of maturity rather than the qualification per se. A degree is mostly a piece of paper to wave at other people who are easily impressed. It isn't the same thing as the knowledge itself and is often irrelevant to the work people then do anyway. However, for those who can't tell the difference or for whom it would be too much trouble to ascertain whether you had the equivalent knowledge and experience anyway, it is a useful piece of paper to have.

One thing a degree is very important for is getting in with the right people to go further in some sort of academia or research. Also, there are very few science subjects where you'd be accepted for higher studies or work without the basic level - partly because the equipment just isn't privately available. Astronomy and palaeontology just about still have talented amateurs being able to contribute. In contrast, literature and art ought to be a lot more open to outsiders. However, if staying in such institutions for an extended period is no part of your career plan then the contact network may not be relevant.

*sighs*

Thankyou SEF. I'm taking a long hard look at my options today. I don't really have a long term plan right now - I just need employment here so that I can afford to come back. Seems like the only way out is through doing a short term course (at the most a year long one).

*goes off to think*

I don't know if they would apply to you (eg being British and in Canada rather than USA), but the other day I was looking at some essay competitions which were aimed at various levels including people trying to get into college and needing some sort of scholarship. I even thought of you at the time though I didn't know you had any such plans.

Meanwhile I find it hard to believe that all jobs you could get require a degree or similar. Or is it that you really want to do some very specific ones rather than just obtain money for travel expenses?

A lot of times you *don't* need a degree to have a decent job. But if you do, the degree puts you on a faster track to more money and faster promotions. For me, having one means that when I start my career with the police, I start off 2 pay steps higher and am eligible for a raise after 2 years (people without are eligible after 6).

So you have to kind of weigh your options.

Give it a go, Sat. You haven't got anything to lose by applying anyway.

hehe! I misread your name - thought you were looking for a carer there for a second... didn't think you were quite that old just yet!