Australian University degrees = a good job? Yes, No.

[The Ropey HOFF]

We are looking at enrolling my son into a university course in Austalia, currently here in the UK there is no guarantee going to university will lead to a job. I just wondered what the feeling is in Australia about university degrees, proper degrees like business, banking, teaching etc, do they lead to a good well paid job after?

Anyone got any advice?

[proview]

I will be interested to see the response t this thread, my daughter graduates at Lancaster uni with a law degree this July, she is planning to take a conversion course in law in Australia, then hopes to get a job. Good luck hoff!

[Perthbum]

As in the uk most kids go to UNI in oz these days and I should imagine there are not the jobs to go around with most kids getting degrees, must admit a bit more chance than in the UK but it is still supply ans demand, to many trained up to degree level with not enough jobs.

[The Ropey HOFF]

I'm not thinking they won't get a job, unemployment is incredibly low compared to the UK, what i am asking is there more chance of even better jobs if a child goes to university, do firms look on them as more of a prime candidate, is it worthwhile paying the fees.

[doing a geographical]

I'm not thinking they won't get a job, unemployment is incredibly low compared to the UK, what i am asking is there more chance of even better jobs if a child goes to university, do firms look on them as more of a prime candidate, is it worthwhile paying the fees.

Of course they look on it favourably. It's the pathway to a career though and not a golden ticket. He may not be in highly paid job the day he graduates. IMO definitely worth doing. Don't forget that university's a good experience as well!

[Perthbum]

I'm not thinking they won't get a job, unemployment is incredibly low compared to the UK, what i am asking is there more chance of even better jobs if a child goes to university, do firms look on them as more of a prime candidate, is it worthwhile paying the fees.

I agree hoff more chance in oz with an unemployment rate of 5.2% compared to the UKs 8.3%

[The Ropey HOFF]

Of course they look on it favourably. It's the pathway to a career though and not a golden ticket. He may not be in highly paid job the day he graduates. IMO definitely worth doing. Don't forget that university's a good experience as well!

Its even more so today, having this experience, the retirement age is increasing all the time and the longer they don't have to work the better in my opinion, i want them to enjoy life a bit, working is usualy a pain wherever you are. I wonder if theres any information of wages earnt my graduates and none graduates, i might google it.

[The Ropey HOFF]

Tried to research wages of graduates versus none graduates in Australia and all i found was the UK one, they earn on average £12,000 per year, which over a 50 year work life is considerably more.

[jhampa]

if you can afford to put him through oz Uni DO IT....... Engineering all the way.. :)

[MackyD]

Personally, I think that if you are competing at the low end then the unemployment rate matters. But, if you have the chops, then it doesn't matter. I think we shy away from competition too much in the UK. It's healthy and desirable. And there is no shame in competing and finding it tough. Moving to less competitive environments only masks our deficiencies., it doesn't solve them. Don't mean to suggest this is your kid's position but I think kids need to be up for the challenge; know the game and meet it head on.

Just my tuppence
Mack