How long have you been employed-What degree do you have(if any)

martingriff

jinxremoving wrote: »

I have a degree and a masters. I have a job in civil service but I hate it with a passion. I was unemployed for a while in between jobs and tbh my mental health was better when I was unemployed. Not what I want to do with my life at all.

What area

danniemcq

3 and a half years working as a data analyst working with databases and excel for one of the largest insurance companies in the world.

College dropout, done a few FAS courses and got microsoft masters as part of the last one i did, got accepted for one job in here (that got scrapped) and a few months later i got a call asking to come in as they seen on my CV that i was quite good at databases.

So no degrees from fancy college or even finishing college is required as long as you can prove in some way you are perfectly suited for the job.

Gurgle

M.Eng in Electronic Systems, employed since 4 days after my final B.Eng exam in 1998 (did M.Eng part time) except for taking a year out to attempt to start up a business.

racso1975

Have 2 diplomas and a cert now doing a higher diploma in business management. worked for last 20 years bar last 5 months.

What really piss' me off is education inflation. In my sector it started off a needing a cert to apply for a job seen recently ad's that have masters as minimum qualification which is a load of w@#k.

Find it mad that a company just wants to employ somebody with theoretical knowledge but no idea how to implement it.

Tefral

Havent been out of work since the age of 17.. Worked in a frozen food company, a shop then went to work in Dell, then as a Security Guard, then as a Quantity Surveyor.

My Degree is in Quantity Surveying, worked dried up so moved to London last year, now moving back home to Limerick as a QS next week.. Come full circle really.

27 now, so ten years full employment. Did my degree whilst working 48 hours a week as a security guard.

beeroclock

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

I am well educated and have never been unemployed, thank God. I deliberately chose an area with plenty of long term opportunity though (and thankfully that is how it turned out).

Same here

Gurgle

racso1975 wrote: »

What really piss' me off is education inflation. In my sector it started off a needing a cert to apply for a job seen recently ad's that have masters as minimum qualification which is a load of w@#k.

Unfortunately, the inflation has taken places in the 3rd level institutions not in the workforce.

15 years ago a certificate in engineering was a good solid professional qualification, nowadays a labrador could graduate with a degree.

People get a masters now for the same level of education as you did for your cert.

UCDVet

racso1975 wrote: »

Have 2 diplomas and a cert now doing a higher diploma in business management. worked for last 20 years bar last 5 months.

What really piss' me off is education inflation. In my sector it started off a needing a cert to apply for a job seen recently ad's that have masters as minimum qualification which is a load of w@#k.

Find it mad that a company just wants to employ somebody with theoretical knowledge but no idea how to implement it.

A large part of the education inflation is made possible by people getting additional degrees whist on the dole They end up being the competition for those were too busy working full-time to get additional degrees.

Tefral

UCDVet wrote: »

A large part of the education inflation is made possible by people getting additional degrees whist on the dole They end up being the competition for those were too busy working full-time to get additional degrees.

I would have said you can do part time education around work.. I did a full time degree whilst working a full work week, however its not possible for everyone. I mean if I was a lone parent or whatever it wouldnt be feasible.

I will say though you can make it work and you should always try upskill yourself and stay ahead of the curve. This year I did a certificate in Project Management with the APM (I did some as part of my Degree) because its the way my industry is leaning. I dont for one second believe just because you have your degree or whatever that you should rest on your laurels.

One last point I have to make is that I firmly believe experience trumps paperwork (degrees, masters etc) every time. If you see your employers looking to hire Master Degree students then you should ask your employer to put you on a course to get to that level.

I think also that there is so many people out there for some industrys they use the education level as a form weeding out getting loads and loads of applications. Over in the UK here in my industry anyway I am in with guys from India and whatever with more letters after their name than I have ever seen, as the world gets smaller your competing with not just your countryfolk for work but the whole world, you need to be at the top of your game.

Ray Palmer

College cert a few fetac awards now but not that relevant. Working 17 years about 18 months unemployed in total. Unemployment was partial choice at times and sickness.
Degree will get you in the door some places and as said ability to go to other countries.
You may get a lower salary without degree but not that often.
Depends on field in IT experience matches you to a degree in about 2 years if you are capable.
Some people in companies will insist on a degree but usually these types are not actual good at their jobs and often over ruled.
Knowledge is key in IT and degrees become worth less over time. Many graduates over estimate their knowledge when entering the work force. Egos normally have to be managed quite harshly for a few years at the start.

Loanshark Blues

I was working from age 16 to 21 until I was made redundant. I was in the final year of my degree at that stage so I finished that and went on the dole for a year, then had to sign off last year to do a Masters because there's no dole or back to education for postgrads. Now I'm back to dole "job seeking".

woodchuck

After school I spent 4 years getting a degree in science (with some part time jobs along the way) and then another 4 years getting a PhD. I took some time off by choice afterwards, then it took me about 3 months of searching to get a job (wasn't entitled to the dole). I've been working for over 6 months, but my contract is coming to an end now. So I'm frantically looking for work again.

I think a good combination of education and experience is important, but more experience over education seems to be preferable. If I find myself unemployed for a time I would consider doing some courses to upskill, but to be honest I'm at the point where I need the experience to back up the education, not the other way around.

hooradiation

I have an MSc.

This means I have mastered Science.
ALL OF IT.

Sugar Free

I'm not counting summer jobs or part time jobs while in education.

So, university degree and currently studying for a masters part time. Working in my current company (large multinational) for over 3 years, prior to that worked for a few months in a different industry (though both are broadly related to my degree).

As another poster said, part time studying with a full time job is seriously hard and really not for everyone. Very much dependent on your circumstances.

speedboatchase

Aside from a three month period after I was made redudant (I was on the dole for about 10 weeks during this time), I have been employed for the past ten years or so after I got my first job - give or take the first few weeks of my university education abroad when I had to find a job. I have a higher national diploma and a BA degree in Journalism.

Shivers26

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

I am well educated and have never been unemployed, thank God. I deliberately chose an area with plenty of long term opportunity though (and thankfully that is how it turned out).

I'm the same. Have never been unemployed since I started working full time and I count myself very lucky.
I have a BA in Accounting & HR (the area I work in)
Still working on my professional accountancy qualification (that sort of fell to the wayside but I do hope to go back to it next year)
I also have a Dip in Child Psychology that I did for fun and back to college in January to do a Dip in Employment Law.

charlietheminxx

I have been employed for the last 5 years without gaps in 3 different jobs.

I dropped out of my degree, but do have a Fetac qualification.

kippy

Never been out of work (apart from in college for a while) since doing the leaving certificate. Got a college cert, been working in IT ever since (6 or so jobs in the past 12 years)
Since I've been working full time various employers have paid for two diplomas in different fields and a shed load of IT related professional qualifications.

Some would say I am lucky, I would say I was able to/willing to move location, change jobs, study while working etc to get where I am now.
Bit of luck, yea, but a fair bit of hard work as well.

I should say I have no degree.

rgmmg

I have a degree (Commerce) and Masters (Economics - waste of time!). I have been working for 14 years post university. I was unemployed for a period of 5 months in 2008 through choice I guess.

I now work in IT having realised there was a skills shortage in my company there when I was about 27. I funded evening IT courses myself to get my foot in the door so have been lucky - my colleagues thought I was a genius when I did the smallest thing computer related. I realise not all have that option. Looking at this thread suggests most who undertook IT and Engineering courses have had comparatively little issues getting a job.

If I was to give someone a tip it would be to try to learn a new practical skill each year. In IT it might be databases, programming etc. This year I learned how to drive. Next year it will be something else. Make hay while the sun shines - It all adds up.

Mastering MS Office (through free online resources) alone should be enough to get that foot in the door SOMEWHERE!

Best of luck to all out there - that plays a huge part

petes

No qualifications apart from the leaving cert.

Working eight years in previous job and nearly five in this one with four months off in between

blackwhite

Degree and a Masters.

Been working for 7 years, never unemployed.

5 years in first job from college, and 2 years in current one.

oc_pl

10 years, no degree and in a well paid job too.

CiaranMcDCFC

No degree, dropped out after one year of college. Have been employed ever since, almost 20 years, and earn a nice wage at present. Have lots of friends with degreees and more and they are in similar jobs as me so while degree might open doors initally nothing beats experience. Had I my time over though I would have studied harder in college. Am back now two evenings a week getting a Diploma and it's a pain!

BizzyC

Degree and a Masters.
Been in full time employment for 5 years now.

homeless student

ash23 wrote: »

Been employed since I was 16 with a few gaps here and there - time off after having a child, a gap of a few months when I moved but always unemployed by choice luckily enough.

I had nothing but a leaving cert initially, dropped out of college and took some menial retail/waitressing jobs. Somehow managed to get into a financial sector role and min wage and stayed in the industry, getting qualifications and pay increases as I went. In this sector now for the last 7 years and have a diploma and am considering continuing on to a degree via work (who support further education)

I was just pure jammy to fall into the industry that I did which (touch wood) hasn't been affected by the recession.

what industry are you in?

positron

Degree in Maths and Computer Science. And a few professional certifications in related area.

I have been working in IT since 1997 and in Ireland since 2000, and was unemployed for about 2 months during 2003 (dot com bubble burst etc).

//Holy scary Jebus, I've been working 15 years!! F*ck, and look at the size of my negative equity!

hiram

No degree, been employed all my live. One should be flexible in work, hours, ability to change, enthusiasm for learning and willing to except a lower wage for long term employment. Had two people started last year and they hadn't a clue..not event the basics in workplace savvy and how to "play the game"...no masters is going to teach you that.

Papa_Bear

Father Damo wrote: »

Sorry....

You have been unemployed for THIRTEEN years?

Yes I have and still looking.....

Reckon i'll stop looking within next five years as my age will just make it impossible.

Been looking for business ideas too but they are thin on the ground and so is my imagination and creativity at this stage.

positron

^^^ Just wow. I can only imagine how hard this could have been. ^^^ Not being busy is really hard - it's okay once in a while, but it's not something I believe we have evolved to do.

Purely out of curiosity, what do you do - and were any medical/other reasons stopping you from finding work, or are you looking at a very specific area etc?

endacl

hooradiation wrote: »

I have an MSc.

This means I have mastered Science.
ALL OF IT.

I've nearly finished one o' those yokes! Wanna take over the world? Next year?

allibastor

Papa_Bear wrote: »

Yes I have and still looking.....

Reckon i'll stop looking within next five years as my age will just make it impossible.

Been looking for business ideas too but they are thin on the ground and so is my imagination and creativity at this stage.

what kind of jobs are you loking for if you have not found it for 13 years dude. I mean, i think even NASA hire in people more than that, as do MI6

thenightrider

TheGez wrote: »

Got my degree in journalism 2 weeks ago and also have an IT diploma. I have spent 2 weeks on the dole couldn't handle it. If people are willing to work there is work I got a job not related to anything I went to College for and I don't enjoy it one bit, but it puts the drink in my belly and the College life of living on 50 quid a week thought me how to live on a budget so I am living like a king at the moment in a minimum wage job haha

Your dead right to be doing any job you can when it comes a time when you are going for a job in your filed and some one else with the same degree as you is going for the job but has being spending there time on the dole you will stand out more as the employer will see you are able to get of your ass and do a days work.

Papa_Bear

positron wrote: »

^^^ Just wow. I can only imagine how hard this could have been. ^^^ Not being busy is really hard - it's okay once in a while, but it's not something I believe we have evolved to do.

Purely out of curiosity, what do you do - and were any medical/other reasons stopping you from finding work, or are you looking at a very specific area etc?

Qualified engineer but i keep busy by taking courses, making things (into recycling junk and am good with my hands ,diy etc) fixing things for family and friends, working on the house. Stuff like that.

Trying to get a jobbridge internship at the moment but is prooving equally difficult.

Having a dissability doesn't exactly help but i guess im just crap at interviews but i try my best all the same.

Thanks for the thought:)

TheChevron

Sissy-boy book-readers!

sfwcork

I have a Higher Degree in Marketing & Business Studies Management. Also ave a degree im Business Marketing. Finished college few years back.Ive worked since I was 16.Put myself through College.

When finished I went Into Management.Im now in IT sales for a large Multinational

Havnt used my Qualifications as much as I would like to have done so,Neither have a fewcollege friends. Thats life I guess

BSc in Physics and currently working towards a PhD. In the area of my research its the very same as working (apart for the drastically lower pay I get) so I will say I've been employed for almost 4 years in this field.

John Mason

Employed about 22years, dont have a degree. I grew up in. the great recession, college was for rich people

mark renton

irishbird wrote: »

Employed about 22years, dont have a degree. I grew up in. the great recession, college was for rich people

I was there for the great recession too, thems were tough times. Back then even secondary school was for rich people!

TPD

BSc in computing, working a year now, after dossing for a few months once I'd left college. Weekend job through the four years at college too.

Wile E. Coyote

martingriff wrote: »

I would not be so sure somethimes if the job advert says degree needed it will not matter how long you have been working. Especially if they use one of those word searchers to screen out CV's

Have to agree. I've 7 years experience in my current position learning everything I know from hands on experience and I'm currently supervisor of a team of 16. I started looking for something new at the end of August and have applied for no less than 25 positions. Of those only 2 people bothered to acknowledge receipt of my application and only one recruiter bothered to arrange to meet me last week. I'm convinced its because I don't have a recognized qualification. I even applied for one or two junior positions to see if I could get some sort of feedback but nothing.

Creamy Goodness

BSc in Computer Science.

It works, bitches!

bluecode

Well I'm not working at the moment but apparently I'm not unemployed and won't show up on any statistics. I'm not entitled to the dole, have zero income and will have for the next few months and maybe beyond. I have a five figure sum on my bank statement with a minus sign in front of it. I have a tax bill I cannot pay and a credit card statement that tells me if I only pay the minimum amount each. It'll be cleared in full in 2049.

Luckily my wife has a good job so I sponge off her.

Life is good.

R0ot

Almost 3 years, no degree completed, started at the bottom of the ladder and currently hold the highest title I can in my department.

Wonderful what unemployment and a baby on the way can spur you on to do.

Snowie

I haven't got a degree, I'm just working as an assistant, i learn more then I could ever learn sitting in a classroom listening to some one teach, other then that I've got qualification in sound engineering, adventure sports and and one in media, but I prefer working as an assistant you learn so much more on the job.. Any one can get a degree its a generic way of saying yes your a sheep and you learned the institutional way..

Its also nice to see something walk away and then ask a few days later did you do this because of this? and kinda work things out...
I just find the hole process more satisfying, and i get payed nicely too :cool:

But have no relevant experience bar your few months mandatory experience... Which never really accounts for anything...
Truthfully a degree means nothing its just a fancy peace of paper unless its stuff like mental health, health, doctors and stuff like that well they really do need to lern that ****...

How ever you can leanr more on the job then in college/Uni...

SouperComputer

Blurb warning....

Been working full time since '96 when I was doing LC. No college degree thus far. Worked in bars, kart tracks, worked as a race driving instructor, worked in electronics retail, circuit board repair, mechanic odds and end as well as IT/Server admin/systems type work. Setup a small IT small company in '03, sold it in 06 and moved to the US. Spent a while arsing around in the US, worked as a line tech at an airport for about 6months (fellah with the glowy wands).
Then started as a lowly service desk fellah in a large healthcare org. Kept my head down, grafted hard, learned the business and its systems and how I can influence them. Still with that healthcare org after 5 years. Now I work as an IS business & systems analyst for a leading surgery dept. Basically pushing the larger org for change and advancement so that our IS systems meet the standards that our clinical ones demand.

Decided to go to college for Nursing in the last few days. Need to break the monotony of IS related stuff. Its very cyclical....
Figured studying computers/IT would frustrate the piss out of me having to listen to lectures about stuff that has little bearing in the real world and business courses don't really translate into a real-world qualifications. Nursing however does, and my knowledge in that area is low enough that I will be able to drink the cool aide, learn something new and stay engaged.
Goal in a few years is to have a clinical background as an RN that I can combine with my technical\IT\systems and business experience in healthcare which should be a powerful combo. Even if I decide fook it I just want to be a nurse (unlikely) I could make a decent living from that so I will have added a degree and a new potential career path that augments what I already have.

I think a universal rule you can apply is that a willingness to be versatile is key to staying employed and staying interested in what you do. Versitility is much more important than a degree IMO.

I did have about 9months of unemployment in 02-03ish but I was still wheeling and dealing computer odd's and ends to make a few quid here and there. I was stuck in limbo, underqualified for what I wanted to do and overqualfied in ways that made it hard to convince employees that I would stay on board with them. In some ways I'm still trapped in that kind of limbo, but at least I'm making decent money in the meantime.

*** Really I'm just a hack and what I posted may be a complete a load of sh1e :d

MaxSteele

In the middle of an Information Technology degree. Worked a couple of Waiter/Lounge staff jobs, but unemployed at the moment.

Can't say it's all that exciting, but fingers crossed I'll be well sought after this degree is written in ink.

fasttalkerchat

Technically never been unemployed, left work to do a degree, will finish that this May and looking to go into a Management Graduate program (hopefully Musgrave Supply Chain).

Katgurl

I've never been unemployed.

I got a diploma in business studies (which is in reality as pathetic as it sounds) at night-time while i was working.

Now i'm study 'full-time' but work remotely for a software company 20 hours a week.

Esoteric_

I have a diploma in acting, with an ability to teach it. I also studied Science in college, but never finished the degree course due to becoming a family carer. Been working consistently since I was 15 (I'm 23 now). Out of work about 3 months, but starting back in college in January doing a PLC course just to get me used to education again, then on to a degree course in September. Not using BTEA, my lovely parents offered to pay for it.

beks101

B.A in Journalism, graduated five years ago and working full time, over time, all the time ever since. Three years in Ireland, two years abroad.

Was a 2 month internship that got me my first job and the first job that led me to my second, experience is what counts really in this industry. Really ready to go back to college but the concept of leaving a job & sacrificing work for study is one I constantly struggle with, as the breaks you get into the industry can't really be relied on.

And I need about a year long holiday.