The debate over the value of double degrees in Australia is a complex one, with students, employers, and universities all having different perspectives. While universities aggressively promote double degrees as a major employment edge, some students claim there's 'no advantage' to the massive investment. This article delves into the personal experiences of two individuals, Gabrielle Garofano and Tejasvin 'TJ' Jethi, who have undertaken double degrees and share their reservations about the financial and opportunity costs. Garofano, a Western Sydney social worker, studied a Bachelor of Social Work and Criminal Justice at Western Sydney University, but found that the second qualification had not significantly impacted her career prospects. She believes that social work positions are generally paid the same regardless of qualifications, and the double degree may have only helped her stand out during recruitment. Jethi, a University of Technology Sydney student, shares similar concerns about the opportunity cost of spending additional years at university. He argues that the biggest cost is not the extra tuition fees but the potential income and industry experience gained during those years. The article also highlights the lack of public transparency regarding the effectiveness of double degrees. While universities claim higher hiring rates and premium graduate salaries for dual qualifications, federal data does not distinguish between single and double degree graduates, making it difficult for students to assess the true financial return on their investment. The article further explores the perspectives of employers, with some arguing that a double degree does not usually translate to a premium salary package. Career Success Australia program director Naren Chellappah emphasizes the importance of graduates going beyond their comfort zones and pursuing passion projects, internships, and micro credentials to secure graduate jobs. However, the article also presents a counter-argument from Lachlan Barron, a recent Macquarie University graduate who completed two degrees that complemented each other, finding the extra year worthwhile due to increased internship opportunities and diverse subjects. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for federal regulators to force national outcomes data to be publicly broken out between single and double degree cohorts, allowing students to make more informed decisions about their educational investments.
