Re: University degrees or not?
 

Way back in the early 90's, the large UK oil & gas company I worked for started getting into things like computer generated code and remote/automated systems management technology.

The writing was on the wall way before the dotcom bubble even started to swell.

I now work with a systems management application that will pretty much automate all the manual steps involved in PC systems deployent and management - it works equally well with MS, Linux and Mac systems - it also really scares the crap out of a lot of very experienced IT people when they see what it can do. The future of systems management is hands off, zero touch.

As far as I know nobody has ever invented automatic processes to deliver what a carpenter, electrician, plumber, etc can do.

You'd be better off in any trade available than in IT in the next decade.

Re: University degrees or not?
 

That's why it was a "Bubble". The promise had no foundation in reality. It mislead career seekers along with investors.

Re: University degrees or not?
 

In a big, big way .... there's still money to be made on the web, but not from implementing or supporting the infrastructure.

It wasn't so much the pop of a bubble as the creation of a black hole - it took a whole load of investor confidence and IT jobs with it when it imploded.

Web designers, IT techies and dotcom failures are ten a penny now.

Re: University degrees or not?
 

Having a British BEng Degree has not been an issue for me, but maybe some professional fields are more prejudiced in favour of a canadian degree than others. I havent seen this in a manufacturing environment though.

I think where having a canadian degree may really help is in making contacts and networking in preparation for landing that first job.

Iain

Re: University degrees or not?
 

That's what most degrees are for in the UK ....

Re: University degrees or not?
 

Perhaps in some subjects, although not Engineering in my experience. Even then it is not to the same extent as canada where getting a job is more often a case of who and not what you know.

Re: University degrees or not?
 

But even a Canadian having a Canadian degree nothing is guaranteed. In my field of marine biology - to be able to compete for projects internationally a Masters' degree is the "bare minimum. All my partners have a Ph.D. in their particular field, and I feel the "pressure" to start working on mine (except with 2 small kids) it would be very difficult.

In my husbands' case, he was a wildlife biologist, and now has his Ph.D. in environmental engineering - and again to be able to compete internationally
that seems to be the bare minimum.

Re: University degrees or not?
 

Certainly any UK academic position would require a PhD as well, but a US or Canadian or Korean or Romanian PhD is considered just as valid as a UK PhD. Same is true of UK commercial research positions, Masters as a minimum, PhD prefered, but the source is not a major obsticle.

The issue here is that there is a perception that in canada, only a canadian (or US) degree is considerd "worthy" for a canadian job. As I said before, maybe its true in some fields, but my UK degree has not been a problem yet for me in the manufacturing sector.

Iain

Re: University degrees or not?
 

Doesn't this highlight the fundamental decision to be made in pursuing a degree.

One way is to get a degree in the subject where the individual has a passionate interest and any subsequent employment is incidental.

The other way is to get a degree in a subject which is a guaranteed meal ticket yet of no particular interest to the individual.

I believe many academics are divided on the role of universities. Furthering knowledge or simply providing business training.

That's why an individual can often do better as an excellent tradesperson rather than a mediocre graduate.

Re: University degrees or not?
 

I have to admit I wish I had a "trade". I have an absolutely useless BA Hons from the UK in History, Politics and Russian and a BSW from Canada, MSW in progress, probably combined with an LLB if I move East. Fat lot of good the UK degree did ever did me here, but it opened many doors back home. My kids are being "encouraged" to focus on the sciences and/or trades.

Re: University degrees or not?
 

I suspect its really hard to study something for four years (sometimes more in the case of doctors, dentists, vets etc) if it is of no interest to you! Then you would be stuck in a career of no interest to you. A plan for disaster!

Re: University degrees or not?
 

I don't know where your info comes from. everyone needs a sin # (even you degreed folks). don't forget a hard hat and checked shirt.get this straight an untrained individual even though they can lift 50 kgs is going to earn approx 12-14 an hour, a carpenter without a ticket maybe 18-20 per hour.there is a ton of imigrant tradespeople that are working for under 12.00, That for a good chance at becoming crippled before retirement age,seen any retirement age tradesmen on a site lately??we earn approx the same money we did 20 years agoalso the going rate for a Supervisor is about 60 thousand a year.I guess the Ontario rates must be differant now ,changed from last year in Kingston.

Re: University degrees or not?
 

Left school at 15 to into a coal mine,got an appreticship, came to Canada.decided to continue with education .My dad always said "it's cheap entertainment" I try to take as many part time courses as I can towards a degree in Construction Management.
My dad left school at 14 apprenticed as a Joiner went back to school when he was 55 got a degree in civil engineering worked as a Clerk of Works untill his retirement.
Education is a fantastic comodity.I get mad when I see it wasted, especialy when you have waite lists to get the required courses.is the answer make more room?or lift the requirements for entry to the next level?.
unfortunatly we hear to often about Grads not being able to find employment in there chosen fields. If that's the case why choose that field.
My point about the apprentice is,it's a shame that all that education has been wasted.He's a smart guy who will probably make a great carpenter.hopefully one day he will combine all that education to a great end

Re: University degrees or not?
 

I know all about that I cut line and pulled cables packed the generator for I.P. surveys one winter for 45.00 a day plus food and accomodation (tent)
spent 3 winters and springs in the barrens doing E.M. and Mag on the frozen lakes.Waay to soft for that know

Re: University degrees or not?
 

I was thinking more of the "Designer" degrees like MBA's etc.