Maybe I Do Need To Go To University?
In 2022, I graduated in the top 3.05% of Queensland students with an ATAR of 96.95.
But, I chose not to attend university.
(Asian mothers' jaw dropping)
My chosen path: a marketing role with the edge of short form video editing.
Completing an online certification for digital marketing. Daily edits of YouTube shorts. Applying to marketing roles.
Change of plans...
A couple of months ago, I applied for QLD TAFE Fee Free course. Particularly the Diploma Of Project Management.
What's my thinking behind it? Why am I doing a course when I've been outspoken against formal education?
Financial Incentive
I hate debt. I don't like the idea of paying for education that I don't end up using.
The original university course I looked at was a Bachelor Of Commerce at James Cook University. 3 year course with 15k/year the cost of attending.
The ATAR requirement for doing Commerce is like 59.
Also, I had a coworker at a golf club I worked at doing the same course. He mentioned it was piss easy. And for someone like me who wants to be challenged while still enjoying the workload, I think the course wouldn't provide that opportunity.
(At least from what I understand)
So, if I'm going to spend 45k on Tertiary Education, and reduce my earning capacity because of full-time study, is it worth it?
What else can I spend the 45k on?
HECS Debt: How It Works
The previous section I wrote ignorant to how the HECS system works in Australia. You only start paying back the debt once you reach a certain income bracket.
And, contrary to common assumption, the loans do not accrue interest. However, they are indexed. Makes sense to reevaluate the value of the loan to the changing value of said dollars. Keep up with the pace of inflation.
So, even if you are earning sub $54,435, you do not have to pay back the loan.
This might be in the unique situation that it might make to go to university. The Australian student loans are much lower compared to the lifetime of debt of the United States colleges.
Do You Need A Degree For Marketing?
It's strange. Everyone I've asked say marketing and other creative industries don't need a degree.
These people were:
- High school teachers (Bachelor Of Education)
- Retail salespeople (Bachelor Of Science)
- Marketing agency owner (Bachelor Of Marketing)
- Videographer
How I see it, you do not need a business degree in order to work in sales. The exact opposite. Sales is as much as a trade, in the sense that most of the learning happens on site.
What a degree does signal is a level of investment. That you're willing to commit a level of debt for your chosen industry.
Also, that for three years you were able to show up to class, study, and complete examinations. A good worker in the eyes of future employers.
How I Came Across The Subsidised Program
Across my travels, I was watching FriendlyJordies video on TAFE.
How the Labor Government was promoting certain courses that have growth projections in Australia.
If you don't know, we're in a housing crisis. Not enough housing and not enough workers to build said houses.
Jordan made the point of Tafe Fee-Free programs were to promote those trade and apprenticeships.
Curiosity got the best of me. I looked at the courses that were available to enrol in Queensland. Particularly credentials that would help land me a marketing role.
It found two:
- Diploma Of Project Management
- Diploma Of Leadership & Management.
This was my thinking, in marketing, you're involved in a lot of projects and carrying out campaigns.
I thought of Leadership & Management, but that course is more akin to industry experts wanting to move into more leadership roles.
What's my end goal with my career? Work on cool shit, and lead people, particularly in the field of marketing.
As well, Project Management has a flexible edge to what industries it's applicable to.
With marketing, I love all things organic content marketing. But, I'll give insight to my probably lesser known area of interest.
Construction.
My Background In Construction & Building
My father worked as a design consultant for a construction company in Townsville.
He got his Cert IV in Building & Construction. And I was exposed to the designs and CAD blueprints of the houses he built for people.
(Including our house)
I was big in Minecraft during primary school. And I kept building different types of houses and showing it my Dad. In particular I pictured my future house being underground inside a hill.
Because of my artistic background, I had the eye to go into architecture. But then I think after watching Domics, who got his Degree in Architecture and didn't use it made me not want go down that path.
Perhaps this is me? I like beautiful architecture. The kind where it portrays beauty in essence. Think of Cathedrals, Le Petit Trianon, Palace Of Versailles.
Also, I have awe for city scapes. And, appreciation for public transport. Thus, infrastructure and helping people get around and transport.
Back in Grade 7, I threw around the idea of designing container homes. I don't like having a large house. So, if you can fit into one container and ship it out to people you'd essentially have a home for the fraction of the cost.
Back to cityscapes, I think of the medium-high residential areas. The ability to fit so many people together and how near business, commerce and residence can be.
Also, I loved playing Sim City. As well as watching people play City Skylines. Being able to build a functioning city of productivity and commerce is what pushes me forward.
So, it's never been an obsession. But, wouldn't it be a great career to have helping people have more homes to live in?
What if this is jumping from boat to boat? I don't know if project management will be right up my alley.
Let's put it like this, I picture myself leading teams. Having been exposed to leadership positions back in high school, I've had that knack. Also, if other people being teachers and peers see me as leadership material, why not lean into that?
What Are My Friends & Family Doing?
Writing this, I'm thinking of what higher education they're doing.
I know my brother is going to do Engineering. Specifically, as an Electrical Engineering.
It would be cool if we worked at the same company or started our own company related to project management/engineering. Being brothers, we've worked at at least three companies together.
Looking at other guys.
- IT & Electrical Engineering
- IT
- Aviation & Engineering
- Criminology
- Personal training
- Refrigeration
- Welding
Career capital, huh. Getting the diploma will be a credential on my career that I need to open doors. Well, more doors.
That's the other thing. If you go into degrees where you have general skills that can be transferred across industries make sense.
What About The 9-5?
I think we're not in crisis of the 9-5, I think it's a crisis of meaning.
Online, we get pushed the narrative that more freedom is the answer.
(I'm looking at you online gurus)
I think so, too. The freedom to choose what consequences you want to deal with anyways. Because, you can't be sipping margaritas on the beach your whole life.
Life becomes shallow having no domain for discipline.
That's why I think work is so important to one's life. Not only do you help others, but by helping others and the work itself do you have purpose.
Thinking STEM? Go To University
The issue I always find myself in is wanting the future to become the present impatiently. And it's a good thing that I do not think that I could have done things differently.
What would I have done differently. Learn Adobe And Suite after graduating. Didn't buy Iman Gadzhi's course on SMMA. Go to TAFE for. Still, what goes through my mind is,
The $36k I would have spent, could I have spent on something. As well, perhaps I was arrogant, I was given a scholarship to have that debt be paid off by a lot. Is it better that I have that university degree under my belt? For the sake of having one?
I still think, not.
I'm not trying to be an engineer or something technical in the sense.
With the democratisation of the internet, information is free.
I am more so interested in the functions of a business. That's why if you see my work history close to sales. Or, a lot of jobs in general.
I got exposed to:
- Retail sales
- Consultative sales
- Bar work
- Customer service
- Marketing
So, a lot of different exposures. Perhaps it's good to have that broad experience to work out what you want to do.
Because in the grand scheme of things, there's nothing stopping you from going back to university after gaining the work experience.
BONUS: Statistically Speaking
Looking at the stats, I think I chose the right Diploma/course for what I'm looking for.
The Top 4 courses that were enrolled were involved in the care industry. Then, you had Accounting and Bookkeeping in number 5.
Looking at the stats, most project managers have got a cert IV or Diploma, where in 50% of people in marketing has a degree.
Just a no brainer at this point. Might as well get the credential. Get good at the high income skill of leadership and operations.