'My university degree is useless and I'm 83k in debt': Sibling shuts down aunt’s lecture by standing up for sister who never went to college and admitting his degree never landed him a real job

Author image for Isabella Penn
Isabella Penn
Oct 6, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

Once upon a time, a university degree was a golden ticket that guaranteed you a job, a salary, and maybe even a sense of superiority at family gatherings. But the world has changed, and now those pieces of paper are stacked so high they're practically wallpaper.

One graduate learned this the hard way. She went to a prestigious university, racked up $83,000 in debt, and still had to claw her way into a non-graduate job by starting as a temp. Her sister, who skipped university altogether, found steady work without the crushing loans. Enter their aunt, who is a child-free London professional who treats higher education like gospel. At every reunion, she lectures the sister about how a degree would open doors.

This time, though, the graduate had had enough. She calmly told her aunt that her degree was useless, she was tens of thousands in debt, and her sister at least had a job. Cue the stunned silence.

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  • This lovely story is a reminder that in today’s oversaturated market, degrees aren’t the guarantee they once were. For many, student loans weigh heavier than the diploma itself.

     

  • Cheezburger Image 10560727296
    via Hatice Baran For Unsplash+

  • "My aunt thinks uni is the answer to everything. I finally shut her up"

    Bit of context. I went to university, quite a prestigious one, got a good result. I have a sister who did not go to university.
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  • My sister and I went down to visit my grandmother who has been in hospital and we were staying at her house, my aunt was also there (we don't see her often, maybe once or twice a year if that).
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  • My aunt went to university, she thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread, everyone should go yada yada you get the gist.
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  • She works in London, earns a lot of money, got no kids. Every time my sister and I see this aunt, the subject inevitably turns to university and 'Oh sister you should think about going to uni'.
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  • My sister and I have a running joke about how long we think it'll take before she brings it up but it starts to get annoying when every time we see her that's what she hones in on to talk about.
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  • This time my aunt commented about what my sister was currently doing work wise and basically said she could get something better if she went to university like me.
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  • Well I had had enough. I said "At least she has a job, it's taken me over a year to get one and it's not even a graduate job.
    via Stride101r
  • Cheezburger Image 10560727552
    via Hatice Baran For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.


     

  • The only reason I got this job was because I started out as a temp. My university degree is useless and I'm 83k in debt." It was extremely satisfying to watch my aunt lost for words.
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  • I don't think she realises that having a degree these days is not worth the piece of paper it's written on.
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  • She hasn't brought it up since. EDIT: Wow, didn't expect this to blow up so much.
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  • It's great to hear other people's perspectives on university.
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  • bsb_hardik So effing true....i have seen both sides of the table...where some folks thinks degrees are useless, and they have never gone above minimum wage....and
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  • some folks says degrees are a must necessary...who also works a little over minimum wage, and is proud they got it coz of the degree. I am like it depends what you want to do...which field and line you are in.
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  • Kudos to you standing upto her..i hate such nosy family members....i guess each and everyone has those kind in their family.
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  • rebekahster I'm 46, and not once in the 23yrs since i got my degree, has it ever been relevant when getting a job.
    via rebekahster
  • midlifesurprise I'm a former college professor, and I am a strong believer in the value of a college education, and yet I strongly believe that getting a bachelor's degree is not for everyone. There are
    via midlifesurprise
  • people who hate college and would be much happier if they went to vocational school or into the trades. (You can make good money too.)
    via midlifesurprise
  • Correct_Smile_624 I got a double degree in arts and science here in Australia. Two degrees, neither of them would've gotten me a job. Now I'm in vet school so I'm almost guaranteed a graduate job at least
    via Correct_Smile_624
  • Boo-Boo97 Speaking as someone who got a useless degree and ended up back in college to get something useful, college isn't for everyone.
    via Boo-Boo97
  • And more, there are a lot of interesting things to learn but don't allow you to make a living. One of the biggest things high school students need to learn is ROI on education or training. You can make a very good living doing a lot of blue collar jobs. You can make a very
    via Boo-Boo97
  • good living on many college degrees. However, there are a lot of college degrees that will never provide ROI and students need to be educated on that. To make matters worse, the job economy is terrible so even degrees that used to guarantee a good life, don't at the moment.
    via Boo-Boo97
  • Good for you on shutting down your aunt and good luck with the job search.
    via Boo-Boo97

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