I was sent an email recently from a young lad asking quite a topical question – and articulating what may become an increasingly common dilemma.

The email sender explained that he had just finished the first year of a two-year HND course in visual communication, and was wondering what would be his best course of action once his HND was complete. Should he go on to get a degree at university, or would it be better to head out into the world and get a job in the industry?

Essentially, he wanted to know which option I would recommend.

My answer?

Well, my gut reaction was to say he should go for the degree, as it would give him the best start and set him up for a successful future in the creative industries – not to mention giving him the opportunity to enjoy those carefree, halcyon university days. But then nostalgia gave way to realism, and I began to wonder how carefree those days are really going to be now that a university course comes with an enormous debt attached.

Given that the unemployment figures make increasingly depressing reading, and that so many young people are completing their degrees only to find that there are few appropriate jobs for them – not to mention that debt – I found myself in a quandary as to what advice to give him. And so, it seems, are other professionals.

On balance, I still think a degree is the best option, assuming that the young person is able to seek out other opportunities too – such as linking up with agencies and taking a year out to work on placement with one of them. But it’s a much more difficult decision than it used to be, and I’m sure a case could easily be made for the alternative too.

So... does anyone have any thoughts on this matter? Should he try and get the degree...?

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More enlightenment and opinion from Madhouse, Manchester’s leading integrated marketing communications agency