Hello.
With more people than ever going to University, and a almost 'academia' culture being built, I think there is some sort of discrimination in a sense against other types of careers.
I mean, I am at University at the moment, and honestly, I enjoy the freedom and so on, but my god, my course is the largest pain in the ass and I have failed my first programming exam (Although technically speaking, Computer Science is more vocational than academic) and I am beginning to regret my choices.
I once held the opinion that your typical 'one of the 'lads' apprenticeship was for idiots and people who werent smart enough to do other things, and now I've realised i was just a fuckwit and I could have sailed into a fairly easy life as a welder or electrician or something that is in really high demand.
Don't get me wrong, programming is ridiculously in demand, but its tough as shit, and has the highest drop out rate in the UK, at 12%.
Has anybody else experienced what I have experienced?
Asking because my brother is thinking about doing a music technology/sound engineering degree that costs £9000 a year, at a not very good university.
Would he have to be as qualified as that to work in that field? Is it an advantage? Or could he get to a similar level of qualification just by going to college or doing some other vocational qualifications or an internship/apprenticeship?
I came across something depressing (I am temporarily dolescum).
In order to get a entry-level cashier's job at Morrisons, a recent process involved a two-week course for a Customer Service Certificate, two weeks of unpaid work experience, then an interview - significantly not a guaranteed job.
This job is useful and there is no shame in taking it. It's not an ideal career and skills needed are limited. Staff turnover must be very high.
What is the point in all this overprofessionalisation? Ys, the employer is getting free work out of the proles (and apparently Europe pays for the two-week college course under an education remit). It' an appalling situation. A cashier is seldom rich and this rigmarole makes them spend at least four extra weeks on the dole.
There are many related areas of overprofessionalisation. One example is that when my dad was at university he spent the summers on building sites. He just turned up and if there was work, there was work.
Nowadays one needs a CSCS card to be allowed to do even casual labour. Is there any society benefit in having so many hoops to jump through? It also discourages moving between job and social advancement because it locks people into an industry.
EDIT: Building site example involves health and safety which has financial consequences. Cover their arses, yes, but it's still an annoying barrier to entry in an unskilled position.
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