Cost of a degree

THOUGH I agree with David Spencer that university should only be for those who are academically suited (Letters), I don’t agree with his view that in the past it opened the door to a well-paid career.

If only that had been true for me. When I graduated with an arts degree that did not qualify me for a specific job, there were only two options: teaching or the civil service.

I didn’t want to work in an office, so I taught in a school for a year, despite not liking children — and needless to say it was a disaster.

My starting salary in 1969 was just under £1,000 a year, the equivalent of £11,000 today. I left and applied for other jobs, only to be told I was overqualified because I had a degree.

Eventually, I became a teacher of English as a foreign language to adults. When I left this role a few years ago, I realised to my horror that I was earning the minimum wage, yet I had a Masters degree and years of experience.

My advice to young people is to consider all their options and only choose to study a job-specific subject at university with a good chance of obtaining employment.

There are many jobs that do not require a degree and not all by any means are dead-end or badly paid.

Name supplied, Hastings, E. Sussex.