Poll

What effect did Education have on you

Left school at 16, Didn't really get anywhere in Life :(
Left school at 16, did well in a 'normal' everyday career
Left school at 16, did well in a 'professional' career
Went to further eduction, Didn't really get anywhere in Life :(
Went to further eduction, did well in a 'normal' everyday career
Went to further eduction, did well in a 'professional' career
Went to University, Didn't really get anywhere in Life :(
Went to University, did well in a 'normal' everyday career
Went to University, did well in a 'professional' career

Author Topic: Eduarcation innit  (Read 2329 times)

Offline Andy @ Allerton!

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Eduarcation innit
« on: February 9, 2023, 11:58:29 am »
I bobbled off when I was 16 (Actually working when I was 15) and as I had an obsession for computers, I was programming and building stuff way before I got a job doing it.

School didn't really help me - I moved around a lot as a kid and went to loads of schools and their curriculums were all over the shop. In one I started with 'A', Then went to another and they were doing 'C' and then another did 'B' then back to 'A' so I kind of gave up when I was about 12.

I used to read an awful lot as a kid so really got most of my information by reading stuff and I found school to be dull, boring and a complete waste of time. Anything I wanted to know, I'd go to the library, read up on it and work it out myself. Most of my teachers were shite and as I didn't know the stuff they expected (from me changing around) they gave me very little help - but I also didn't really want any :)

I've now had a 'professional' career for 40 years and still learning and doing stuff today and still learning and reading by doing and picking stuff up.

Obviously everyone is different, so what did education do for you?
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Offline Nobby Reserve

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #1 on: February 9, 2023, 12:05:50 pm »
A Tory, a worker and an immigrant are sat round a table. There's a plate of 10 biscuits in the middle. The Tory takes 9 then turns to the worker and says "that immigrant is trying to steal your biscuit"

Online tubby

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #2 on: February 9, 2023, 12:13:04 pm »
Got a couple of Cs and Bs for my GCSEs, dropped out of A-Levels because I honestly just couldn't be bothered with it all.  Wasn't a troubled kid or anything, just lazy.  Then got bullied by my parents into getting a low paying job digitising cable layouts for Southern Electric and did well enough there that my team leader got me in at low entry job for a translation company after he jumped ship and that office work just suited me.  Been a translation project manager for years now and find it pretty easy.

School was shit, didn't really enjoy it, wasn't fussed about learning.  I'm a different person now, of course, and if I could do it all again I'd stick with it, but at the time I just... I dunno if it was the environment (pretty rough all boys school) or just me being a twat but nothing ever grabbed my interest.
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Offline Andy @ Allerton!

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #3 on: February 9, 2023, 12:13:18 pm »


That one where they spotted the Wizard of Oz got the maths question wrong :)
Quote from: tubby on Today at 12:45:53 pm

They both went in high, that's factually correct, both tried to play the ball at height.  Doku with his foot, Mac Allister with his chest.

Offline Barneylfc∗

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #4 on: February 9, 2023, 12:16:08 pm »
Option 2.

Was smoking grass from about the age of 14 and drinking by 15. Decided they were better craic than doing exams so my GCSE results were shite compared to what they should've been. Was a decent footballer in my youth too.
My life could've taken a different path had I not chosen smoking and drinking over education and football, but as it is I'm doing the same job for the same money as people that are in thousands of quid of student debt for going to university with A levels and degrees.
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Offline Elmo!

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #5 on: February 9, 2023, 12:48:11 pm »
Where's the option for "Went to University, dropped out, but eventually ended up doing alright in a job I enjoy"?

Online rob1966

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #6 on: February 9, 2023, 02:04:46 pm »
Left school at 16 with 7 'O' levels, couldn't be a fighter pilot as I went short sighted at 14, apprenticeship at the corpy which I got fed up of within 3 months, didn't get into the RAF and was told I failed the final interview, on the dole til I was 20. Got accepted into the Army, then a heart murmur on the RAF medical from when I was 17, which I knew nothing about stopped that. Washed dishes in a hotel, then from talking to a driver who delivered hire stuff to us, ended up driving the van. Worked my way up to Branch Manager before heart issues kept me off work until my surgery. Did an MCSE while off, went back to work, moved into our IT as a Trainee Programmer in 2001 and been in IT since. Also terrorise drivers in an HGV ;D
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Offline Sudden Death Draft Loser

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #7 on: February 9, 2023, 05:42:23 pm »
Interesting that the only one (so far) that's admitting to "Didn't really get anywhere in Life"

Mind you that's mostly because I realised very early on that the "rat race" is a load of shite.
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Offline Red-Soldier

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #8 on: February 9, 2023, 06:07:50 pm »
Life is more than just a career.

Online rob1966

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #9 on: February 9, 2023, 06:20:09 pm »
Interesting that the only one (so far) that's admitting to "Didn't really get anywhere in Life"

Mind you that's mostly because I realised very early on that the "rat race" is a load of shite.

I've got a great wife, two cracking kids, roof over our heads and can eat, that's all I really need.

I could be earning a lot more than what I do, but the job, being up the road, allowed me to take the kids to school, pick them up from school and see them at tea and put them to bed. No amount of money would replace that. Her brother earns twice what I do, no way would I swap my life for his.
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Offline Sudden Death Draft Loser

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #10 on: February 9, 2023, 06:35:31 pm »
I've got a great wife, two cracking kids, roof over our heads and can eat, that's all I really need.

I could be earning a lot more than what I do, but the job, being up the road, allowed me to take the kids to school, pick them up from school and see them at tea and put them to bed. No amount of money would replace that. Her brother earns twice what I do, no way would I swap my life for his.

Got to say fair play. I have some respect for people who put quality of life over money.
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Offline TepidT2O

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #11 on: February 9, 2023, 07:03:49 pm »
Got As and Bs at GCSE, As at A level, got a degree, masters and teaching diploma…

Stupidly work for the state ;D
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Offline Elmo!

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #12 on: February 9, 2023, 07:11:28 pm »
Got to say fair play. I have some respect for people who put quality of life over money.

I'm similar to Rob. I couldbve earning a lot more for what I do, but I enjoy my work, my colleagues and my work environment.

I've seen several colleagues leave to get better paid jobs and end up unhappy and not lasting at their next job.

Offline shank94

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #13 on: February 9, 2023, 07:16:34 pm »
Was never a good student or got any above average grades always having fun through college and post grad while studying only the subjects I enjoyed. Thankfully some Universities still accept your personality and character over your grades and that has allowed me to live/work in 3 countries far apart in the work I love and I am only getting started professionally. Education though has gone to shit, you can get 20 degrees before you have common sense or an open mind.
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Offline Lusty

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #14 on: February 9, 2023, 07:36:26 pm »
Similar to Andy I left at 16 and worked my way up to a good place, however I really want to caution against survivorship bias here. I had a lot of luck along the way and I genuinely believe that education offers a much more likely route out of poverty than the path I took.

A couple of things have changed since I started out.  First, employers are more and more likely to use AI screening for job applicants now, and so without a degree it's a lot more likely that your CV will end up in the bin before a human ever looks at it.

The other change is that a lot of the entry level jobs that you could use to ger a foothold in the old days have now been offshored. Employers are more likely to bring in a graduate straight onto the second rung of the ladder than someone with no qualifications or experience.

I actually went to university in my mid thirties and I'm glad I did. It was an itch I had to scratch, but I also came away with a lot of respect for academia in general. It gives you a very different way of looking at things and asking questions that is a good compliment to professional experience. It's fucking hard doing it while you're working full time though!  I'm also now working for a company that would never have given me an interview before I did my masters.

Offline shank94

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #15 on: February 9, 2023, 08:02:29 pm »

The other change is that a lot of the entry level jobs that you could use to ger a foothold in the old days have now been offshored. Employers are more likely to bring in a graduate straight onto the second rung of the ladder than someone with no qualifications or experience.


Some countries like France and Singapore have an extensively strong internship system. They have mandatory 1 year (2 internships 6 month, 1 outside your home country) internship in between their masters and also a 6 month at the end of your bachelors + another 6 months at the end of your masters. Companies specifically design their projects and strategies around these internships and unlike most countries labor laws are strong so you are not treated like a slave. Companies in France train and hire the same interns they take from the University cycles and it is very well oiled for both local and international students.
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Offline TepidT2O

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #16 on: February 9, 2023, 08:03:42 pm »
I'm similar to Rob. I couldbve earning a lot more for what I do, but I enjoy my work, my colleagues and my work environment.

I've seen several colleagues leave to get better paid jobs and end up unhappy and not lasting at their next job.
I fully endorse this comment …. Quality of life matters most
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Offline damomad

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #17 on: February 9, 2023, 08:28:26 pm »
In school I usually just did enough to pass the tests. Now I only work hard enough not to get fired.

You're still the one pool where I'd happily drown

Offline Elmo!

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #18 on: February 9, 2023, 08:39:35 pm »
I fully endorse this comment …. Quality of life matters most

Though I have to say with the cost of living, I do get the occasional pang of regret that I haven't chased higher pay....

Online rob1966

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #19 on: February 9, 2023, 08:46:52 pm »
Got to say fair play. I have some respect for people who put quality of life over money.

You can never get back the years when they are growing up, I'd regret for the rest of my life if i wasn't there. I missed the eldests first steps as I was in work, bugger chose the afternoon to do it, but I've got the youngests on video. Making breakfast, getting them dressed, walking them to school, its all so precious.

We had a contractor at work, he'd always done it, had the big house, a light aircraft, brand new Range Rover - he said he envied me so much as I got to see my kids grow up and he never did with his. He said he had no close relationship with them, he was just bank of Dad now, can I have, can I have.
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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #20 on: February 9, 2023, 08:48:51 pm »
Though I have to say with the cost of living, I do get the occasional pang of regret that I haven't chased higher pay....

I only wish I earned more now so I could retire earlier ;D

A part of me thinks "the kids are teens now, chase the money" and another part says "nah fuck that, get the bike rebuilt ya lazy bastard"
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Offline Nobby Reserve

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #21 on: February 9, 2023, 09:32:35 pm »
In school I usually just did enough to pass the tests. Now I only work hard enough not to get fired.


Sums me up, too.

I've psychoanalysed myself over and over to try to figure out what both motivates and demotivates. I've come up with plenty of theories; all shite.

I know I'm a clever bloke. I can get my head round a lot of complex stuff, and feel I've got a heightened understanding of how the world works.

I'd love to have self-discipline and a strong work ethic because I know I'd be a senior something.

But I'm happiest when I'm doing fuck all or when I've loads of fun things to distract me.

I can't wait to retire.
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Offline kavah

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #22 on: February 10, 2023, 01:04:20 am »
^ ha I think I’m the opposite of that Nobby.  Think I’m good at learning stuff but the complex stuff and how the world works often goes right over my head. In fact there are loads of times wise posters on here have done more for my education on politics or economics than any classes I’ve ever taken.

I loved school and look back on it very fondly, like Elmo I dropped out of Uni, but got some qualifications much later in life. 

I think School was a safe place to learn to think,  and that has been very valuable. There have been loads of studies that prove time in school is the best indicator of later success. I’m sure that’s right? At the moment school is free. In many places it isn’t. Free education from primary school age to 18 is a huge privilege.

Offline Bullet500

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #23 on: February 10, 2023, 05:00:06 am »
I did okay in school. Somehow ended up being "over-educated" as I dislike corporate work.

Offline Nobby Reserve

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #24 on: February 10, 2023, 10:59:34 am »

Sums me up, too.

I've psychoanalysed myself over and over to try to figure out what both motivates and demotivates. I've come up with plenty of theories; all shite.

I know I'm a clever bloke. I can get my head round a lot of complex stuff, and feel I've got a heightened understanding of how the world works.

I'd love to have self-discipline and a strong work ethic because I know I'd be a senior something.

But I'm happiest when I'm doing fuck all or when I've loads of fun things to distract me.

I can't wait to retire.



I'll also say that I genuinely now believe I have undiagnosed ADHD or similar.   :'(
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Offline ljycb

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #25 on: February 14, 2023, 11:41:06 pm »
School, further education and university all went fairly well for me, but I have ended up in a completely different career to the one that I was planning for ten years ago. I tend to go with the flow, which has made for an interesting employment history, but although I earn decent enough money and can afford to live a somewhat enjoyable life, my lack of drive has definitely stopped me from earning more. I’m happy with how things have went up to now mind you. None of this will matter when I’m dead.

Offline Andy @ Allerton!

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #26 on: February 15, 2023, 10:45:19 am »
School, further education and university all went fairly well for me, but I have ended up in a completely different career to the one that I was planning for ten years ago. I tend to go with the flow, which has made for an interesting employment history, but although I earn decent enough money and can afford to live a somewhat enjoyable life, my lack of drive has definitely stopped me from earning more. I’m happy with how things have went up to now mind you. None of this will matter when I’m dead.

Same. I could easily have been in a job earning 10 times more or running my own company, but I'm technically unique and can pick stuff up that takes people years in a couple of weeks. That's what I do - tech and I do it well, so I'm as happy as a pig in shit :)

Money might be nice, but it's never been the driving force for me ever.
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Offline stewil007

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Re: Eduarcation innit
« Reply #27 on: February 15, 2023, 01:00:51 pm »
Went to Uni but dropped out in the 2nd year, did factory work while still living the student life, went into retail for a few years then after an acrimonius split up with an ex, went home with my tail between my legs and got an office job as an entry level jobsworth - found that it suited my mentality and ended up going down the Project management route which has taken me into some interesting jobs - helicopter gps systems, aircraft carriers, submarines, water pipelines and some things i cant talk about.

It has meant living away from home but it has meant that i've earned a good amount, that i would never have been able to do at home......yes its meant i've missed being there for some of the kids big moments, but technology has certainly meant it is easier to do now.

Although id say that my work/home life balance is slightly skewed towards work, i'm happy with the choices i've made.

Interestingly, a colleague yesterday, who is a contractor, said that he could get into the planning department of the project i am currently on and if i was willing to go contracting, i could earn many times what i'm on now.....which in theory would mean i could retire in 3 or 4 years instead of the 20 i've got 'officially' left.....but it would mean a lot more hours and a lot more time away form home.