Business degree at 30
Discussion
Approaching 30 and currently employed as a gas service and repair engineer with a top company. Finding the work repetitive and soul destroying despite earning over 40k. There is little to no hope of progression and I'm not learning any new skills.
Considering a business degree with the open university with the possible intention of getting into business management, analysis, consultancy etc. I have good A levels and am a very academic person so learning and getting a good grade shouldn't be too difficult.
This will cost me around 16k but I can stay in full time work. What are the realistic prospects of graduating from the OU with a business degree and finding relevant work. Does this sound like a sensible move at my age and situation?
Considering a business degree with the open university with the possible intention of getting into business management, analysis, consultancy etc. I have good A levels and am a very academic person so learning and getting a good grade shouldn't be too difficult.
This will cost me around 16k but I can stay in full time work. What are the realistic prospects of graduating from the OU with a business degree and finding relevant work. Does this sound like a sensible move at my age and situation?
Whilst a very good thing to do, a first degree at your age won't initially make you any more employable or competitive in the open job market without the necessary experience to back it up.
I think from what you've written, I'd need you to be a little more specific about what it is you really want to do.
Knowing that, a clear plan of action can be developed. An academic course of study on its own will not usually be sufficient.
Hope that helps a little
I think from what you've written, I'd need you to be a little more specific about what it is you really want to do.
Knowing that, a clear plan of action can be developed. An academic course of study on its own will not usually be sufficient.
Hope that helps a little
From my experience, business degrees are extremely generic. You'd be joining a huge list of business graduates still searching for work, yes you've got experience, but not much direct experience.
Is there nothing you can do within your area of expertise to expand into business? Franchise? win some contracts and expand the fleet etc? I have no direct experience of this other than this is where all firms essentially start from? Once well established you could then move to the management side?
Is there nothing you can do within your area of expertise to expand into business? Franchise? win some contracts and expand the fleet etc? I have no direct experience of this other than this is where all firms essentially start from? Once well established you could then move to the management side?
I did a Business Management degree and came out with a 2:1. It's a very generic degree and a lot of people study the degree. I'd stick with where you are for now or find something more specific, a certain part of a business model where you want to go into perhaps?
Just for reference, I never got a job using my degree, I really struggled and have ended up working on the railway instead, a much better career for myself.
Just for reference, I never got a job using my degree, I really struggled and have ended up working on the railway instead, a much better career for myself.
It will all depend on the rest of your circumstances.
Some people your age will have two kids in private school, so will have a minimum salary requirement that a business school grad position won't get anywhere near.
Some people your age will still live with their parents, so will be able to take the hit on salary after graduating.
I don't know much about your current profession, but can you not "go it alone" and set yourself up. Plough as much of the profits into the business, and build it up so you get to the stage of running it rather than doing the physical work as soon as you can.
Will that work?
Some people your age will have two kids in private school, so will have a minimum salary requirement that a business school grad position won't get anywhere near.
Some people your age will still live with their parents, so will be able to take the hit on salary after graduating.
I don't know much about your current profession, but can you not "go it alone" and set yourself up. Plough as much of the profits into the business, and build it up so you get to the stage of running it rather than doing the physical work as soon as you can.
Will that work?
Are you doing hands-on stuff or management stuff? I know you said you're an engineer but you could still be managing a team etc. If not, look at moving into a managerial role where you are (for new challenges and to gain experience). Might be better to get an MBA and combine it with management experience before moving forward.
I'll be watching this thread with interest...
I'm 29, currently employed in an FMCG firm skirting the edge of a data analytics/business analyst role.
Like you, I feel that I'm currently at a dead-end in terms of career progression. I'm paid well, and the team I work in is great, but I want more. There are routes available to me within the company, but mostly sideways into directions I'm not sure I'd succeed in, and ultimately in an industry that I find uninspiring.
As a result, I'm currently filling out an application for the Open University to study Economics & Mathmatical Sciences.
I love economics, and my existing skills would be enhanced by the maths side of it. Having said that, this won't be my first attempt at studying the subject - I left uni after year 1 as it wasn't where I wanted to be. Ultimately, after 10 years working, I am looking for fulfillment that I think only further education can bring me.
I would love to know if this will enhance my career prospects, or whether I can make the industry change that I want to... but even if that's not possible, I'm going to be doing this with the knowledge that it might not make much of a difference.
The question I've asked myself is if it's worth it to me, or if I'm doing it to impress someone on the other side of the interview desk. Answering 'yes' to that question helped me to decide that it was worth going ahead with.
I'm 29, currently employed in an FMCG firm skirting the edge of a data analytics/business analyst role.
Like you, I feel that I'm currently at a dead-end in terms of career progression. I'm paid well, and the team I work in is great, but I want more. There are routes available to me within the company, but mostly sideways into directions I'm not sure I'd succeed in, and ultimately in an industry that I find uninspiring.
As a result, I'm currently filling out an application for the Open University to study Economics & Mathmatical Sciences.
I love economics, and my existing skills would be enhanced by the maths side of it. Having said that, this won't be my first attempt at studying the subject - I left uni after year 1 as it wasn't where I wanted to be. Ultimately, after 10 years working, I am looking for fulfillment that I think only further education can bring me.
I would love to know if this will enhance my career prospects, or whether I can make the industry change that I want to... but even if that's not possible, I'm going to be doing this with the knowledge that it might not make much of a difference.
The question I've asked myself is if it's worth it to me, or if I'm doing it to impress someone on the other side of the interview desk. Answering 'yes' to that question helped me to decide that it was worth going ahead with.
I'm in a similar situation to you as well I'm 29 and have spent the last 10 years fitting hardwood flooring, whilst the money is good I'm bored to death of it. Problem is that I've got a wife, 5 kids, 2 mortgages and a money pit project car to support. So taking a pay cut to retrain in something else is not really an option.
Hoofy said:
Are you doing hands-on stuff or management stuff? I know you said you're an engineer but you could still be managing a team etc. If not, look at moving into a managerial role where you are (for new challenges and to gain experience). Might be better to get an MBA and combine it with management experience before moving forward.
This, speak with your boss and explain you are looking to move the movement into supervision/management, you may find he never thought you were interested. Not sure the size of company but many will have specific development programmes in place just for this, if not, its not to difficult to develop. I work in FM and know loads of contract manager, engineer managers etc who have worked there way up from the tools including a number who have went all the way to operations director. BoRED S2upid said:
hyphen said:
MBA?
Can't do a masters without a degree level qual first? It's not a proper Masters, it's just a bit of fun where you pay some money and get a bit of paper after a year of acting like you are on the Apprentice along with some networking, and others with that piece of paper then hire you for a bit more cash then you were currently on.
OP with good a-levels, lots of work experience and a good reference or two should be ok, then he can go on to achieve excellence in Business Consultancy!
Edited by hyphen on Saturday 29th July 19:10
hyphen said:
BoRED S2upid said:
hyphen said:
MBA?
Can't do a masters without a degree level qual first? 
It's just a bit of fun where you pay some money and get a bit of paper, and others with that piece of paper then hire you.OP with good a-levels, lots of work experience and a good reference or two should be ok, then he can go on to achieve excellence in Business Consultancy!
OP why not try openlearn lots of free business courses on there to try before you sign up to a multi year qualification.
No harm in applying, if OP has the funds.
One of the most expensive Cambridge said:
Would you consider my application if I have not got a degree?
Our programme is intellectually demanding: in twelve months you will have to cover what most US schools teach over two years. We will consider applicants without a degree in exceptional circumstances, but we will usually ask you to provide evidence that you have the academic ability to cope with the intellectual demands of the programme. Such evidence might include a good, well-balanced GMAT score and strong references from tutors on other academic courses that you have taken.
Our programme is intellectually demanding: in twelve months you will have to cover what most US schools teach over two years. We will consider applicants without a degree in exceptional circumstances, but we will usually ask you to provide evidence that you have the academic ability to cope with the intellectual demands of the programme. Such evidence might include a good, well-balanced GMAT score and strong references from tutors on other academic courses that you have taken.
Edited by hyphen on Saturday 29th July 19:33
The golden rule with university is to pick the name, not the course.
Nobody in the biz world takes the OU seriously.
To make the leap, you will need a brand that sounds businessy. Try the Uni of London or Warwick Uni. They do distance- or parttime-learning.
And then pick a subject that charts high in those grad-salary tables, like Business Studies or Economics or Maths.
Make sure you get at least a 2:1. Or it will be a waste of time.
Then do an MBA. Pay for one via Oxford or London or Warwick Uni.
You are looking at a 5-to-10-year slog if you wanna make the transition from blue to white collar. Britain is a classist, biased society and it ain't easy.
Nobody in the biz world takes the OU seriously.
To make the leap, you will need a brand that sounds businessy. Try the Uni of London or Warwick Uni. They do distance- or parttime-learning.
And then pick a subject that charts high in those grad-salary tables, like Business Studies or Economics or Maths.
Make sure you get at least a 2:1. Or it will be a waste of time.
Then do an MBA. Pay for one via Oxford or London or Warwick Uni.
You are looking at a 5-to-10-year slog if you wanna make the transition from blue to white collar. Britain is a classist, biased society and it ain't easy.
My background is electronics with degree to match. I thought I would round myself off with a business degree (from the OU), which I done in my late 20s, I took a year out to study full time and get the paperwork asap.
I'm now back in an electronics career path, and can't really say the business degree has done me any good, nor did I learn that much to be honest. Most of the good stuff you can get from a couple of decent books which are a hell of a lot cheaper and quicker to get through.
Really put some thought into what you are after here before committing to an expensive and long endeavour. It might be worth exploring a new career path without education, although I have no suggestions on how to do that beside starting your own business.
I'm now back in an electronics career path, and can't really say the business degree has done me any good, nor did I learn that much to be honest. Most of the good stuff you can get from a couple of decent books which are a hell of a lot cheaper and quicker to get through.
Really put some thought into what you are after here before committing to an expensive and long endeavour. It might be worth exploring a new career path without education, although I have no suggestions on how to do that beside starting your own business.
Yipper said:
The golden rule with university is to pick the name, not the course.
Nobody in the biz world takes the OU seriously.
To make the leap, you will need a brand that sounds businessy. Try the Uni of London or Warwick Uni. They do distance- or parttime-learning.
And then pick a subject that charts high in those grad-salary tables, like Business Studies or Economics or Maths.
Make sure you get at least a 2:1. Or it will be a waste of time.
Then do an MBA. Pay for one via Oxford or London or Warwick Uni.
You are looking at a 5-to-10-year slog if you wanna make the transition from blue to white collar. Britain is a classist, biased society and it ain't easy.
Absolute garbage; unless you are talking about Law / Medicine. I rate anyone who has an OU degree, not because of the content but the self drive it takes to complete such a degree. I never look at the school people attend when employing them, it isn't indicative of character, intelligence nor drive. Nobody in the biz world takes the OU seriously.
To make the leap, you will need a brand that sounds businessy. Try the Uni of London or Warwick Uni. They do distance- or parttime-learning.
And then pick a subject that charts high in those grad-salary tables, like Business Studies or Economics or Maths.
Make sure you get at least a 2:1. Or it will be a waste of time.
Then do an MBA. Pay for one via Oxford or London or Warwick Uni.
You are looking at a 5-to-10-year slog if you wanna make the transition from blue to white collar. Britain is a classist, biased society and it ain't easy.
I have a 1st Class Business Degree from night school at a red brick Uni and a MSc from distance learning and my MCIPS. Finished my apprenticeship at 21 and took it upon myself to further my education; 28 at the moment and earning more than I could have dreamed at 18 (as staff), I could not have attained my job without my degree as most roles have it as a prerequisite.
But; do not think having a degree will get you the job, it might open a door but it is you, your personality, your ambition and your skill set that will secure a job.
Edited by Trexthedinosaur on Monday 31st July 11:24
It depends on the industry you are trying to break into. I work in banking and I don't think someone with an OU degree would get onto a graduate scheme. They have thousands of applicants from the top 100 universities across the globe.
I went to a middle of the pack uni and I don't think I would have got onto the graduate scheme. I was fortunate in that I had a bit of experience and got a junior role outside of the graduate scheme.
I echo the previous comments, look at other universities that offer distance learning. Warwick is highly regarded and do a lot of DL courses.
I went to a middle of the pack uni and I don't think I would have got onto the graduate scheme. I was fortunate in that I had a bit of experience and got a junior role outside of the graduate scheme.
I echo the previous comments, look at other universities that offer distance learning. Warwick is highly regarded and do a lot of DL courses.
Thanks for all the replies. I always planned to get into management in my current job. But the role is very unappealing and pays worse than the engineers you are supervising! Spoke to my boss about it and his advice was not to go down that route. I trust his opinion on that one, top bloke.
From what I understand having spoken to people who have been there and done it, being self employed is much harder work for less pay. I have thought about it a lot but can't foresee a way where I can turn engineering onto my own into a larger business that I manage. Competition form the big companies and sole traders prepared to work fairly cheap is massive.
The general feeling I get from these replies is that a degree would probably not pay off.
From what I understand having spoken to people who have been there and done it, being self employed is much harder work for less pay. I have thought about it a lot but can't foresee a way where I can turn engineering onto my own into a larger business that I manage. Competition form the big companies and sole traders prepared to work fairly cheap is massive.
The general feeling I get from these replies is that a degree would probably not pay off.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff