A degree.
There was a time when people said, “Just get a degree and you’ll be fine.”
Those days are gone, yet many members of society have not yet picked up on the fact that degrees are not all they are cracked up to be. In particular, it is not a passport to a bright future.
Let us talk about some non-graduate careers.
Did you know that a diesel mechanic earns R17 000 per month on average? That is according to Indeed, an online job searching platform.
According to careerplanet.com, an aircon technician earns between R10 000 and R20 000 every month. A draughtsman gets up to R25 000 and a drill rig operator between R20 000 and R40 000. An underground electrical foreman earns at least R35 000 every month. None of these careers require university degrees. Artisan qualifications typically cost much less than university degrees.
So let’s talk about graduates.
An LLB graduate who has not yet met the requirements for admission as an attorney earns R6 000 to R8 000 on average. An admitted attorney’s salary matches that of a diesel mechanic’s. Yes, salaries increase with time, but that applies across the board – an artisan armed with years of experience is likely to earn more than a beginner.
A public primary school teacher earns about R14 500. This average was calculated by payscale.com.
In the United Kingdom, The Independent found that half of UK graduates do not work in their fields of study. The Washington Post in the United States found that 27 per cent of graduates work in an industry relevant to the subject they had majored in.
Elbie Liebenberg, principal at Oxbridge Academy, recently said that business across all sectors are desperate for young people who are technically qualified and experienced to fill a host of positions.
“Many of these positions do not require someone who studied towards a degree, but rather someone who studied towards a qualification that gives them the technical expertise and workplace readiness to be an asset from day one,” she said.
According to Liebenberg there is still too much of a fixation on degree study as the only solid path towards a sustainable career.
Among the industries that do not require degree studies are tourism and hospitality, events management and sales and marketing.
If you are considering your future, ask yourself one simple question:
“Will a degree be worth it for me?”
One year’s full-time studies may cost R50 000 or more. Years spent being a student equal years spent not earning an income.
Part-time studies are a more affordable option – one year’s fees are often less than R20 000.
If it will not secure you a well-paying job, do you really want to make the expense? Before you decide to go the most expensive route, consider your options carefully.
