Photo – My Graduation / myLot

Photo taken by the official university photographer – me.

Preston, England

April 16, 2016 3:34am CST

I am quite proud of my official Bachelor of Arts honours graduation photo 1990 from Bolton Institute of Higher Education (University). I started my Humanities degree (Literature and philosophy) after escaping from a cult which conditioned me to try to think and analyse as little as possible. Studying the greatest thinkers was my idea of an antidote and I see my degree as proof of my return to sanity and individualism – it is really a degree in being me. It is not a very vocational degree to have. In fact many employers hate the idea of taking on someone with a certified drive to free thinking. Sometimes I omit mention of my degree from job applications on purpose. Arthur Chappell

12 people like this

12 responses

Shavkat

@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

16 Apr 16

It was really a great achievement. It would be a great tool to be somebody in this world.

4 people like this

Kerry

@lovebeingmummy2 (806)

• Aberdeen, Scotland

16 Apr 16

Great photo, you must be so proud

3 people like this

Jekca

@Jessicalynnt (50523)

• Centralia, Missouri

16 Apr 16

here people could care less, for the most part, what the degree is in, just want you to have one, so often they are wastes of money sadly. the degress I mean. Studying sure, but what you get for the cost you get it for, I think is wrong

2 people like this

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44941)

• Preston, England

16 Apr 16

@Jessicalynnt depends what you study, your plans once your course is over and the costs - I got a grant for my course, chose subjects I loved and though career wise it is a hindrance it was very necessary in getting my mind back

3 people like this

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44941)

• Preston, England

17 Apr 16

@Jessicalynnt same here now as grants and bursuries are rare so many students take out bank loans and get into heavy debt through their education.. Learning is becoming a rich kids only field now. It's tragic

2 people like this

Jekca

@Jessicalynnt (50523)

• Centralia, Missouri

16 Apr 16

@arthurchappell Oh I LOVED it, and would do it again, but I think in america at least, you are forced to take way too many classes that arent needed, and charge an arm and a leg. like it can cost 60K or more these days.

2 people like this

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Rebecca Huston

@Telynor (1763)

• United States

17 Apr 16

Getting a BA is a great accomplishment! Cults I view as one of the great evils of our time. I understand about leaving the degree off of resumes -- I got a double bachelor's ages ago, and people always reacted with shock when they saw it, and then almost immediately say that I was overqualified. Really pissed me off too.

1 person likes this

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44941)

• Preston, England

17 Apr 16

@Telynor 'over-qualified' is exactly the phrase I hear too, and it means nothing - I can understand underqualified but no one can know exactly just enough for the job and nothing above that whatsoever

1 person likes this

Scott Ganschow

@teamfreak16 (43567)

• Denver, Colorado

16 Apr 16

Isn't it ironic that you've put in all that work and gotten a degree that might actually hinder getting a job due to the employer's attitude? Congratulations on getting the degree, it's an accomplishment.

2 people like this