Hi, I'm currently on a 12 month Internship, working in the Marketing Department of a European leader in Plastic Recycling. It's been two months since I first started, and I already felt within the first week I had managed to gain alot of experience. I was moved up to a more Marketing Executive/Assistant role (to provide a more direct support line to Manager/Director, and in response to how I performed within the first month and a half) in the last week of October, and whilst I have enjoyed my first two years at University, I am starting to develop a desire to finish my degree with the Open University whilst working. If this company does not decide to keep me on, then perhaps begin looking for Marketing roles in June/July (with the worst case scenario being I'll go back to University for my final year beginning Sept 2011) I have a few questions regarding my situation: Firstly, would potential employers see an Open University degree as a 'step-down' from a normal degree? Personally I would imagine an OU degree demonstrates an ability to work and develop skills, something every employer wants? My University does not carry as much prestige as say, the top 20, and therefore an OU degree may not be seen as a step down. Currently I'm working at 1st Degree level, Marketing BA (Hons) at Liverpool John Moores. Secondly, with the position that I am in, how employable would I be? I'd imagine, taking into consideration the current job/graduate market, that I'd be contending with people from all experiences and backgrounds. These few months have seen me getting my feet wet with all different areas of Marketing & Sales, so would what I've been involved in/will be getting involved in, qualify me to compete against others in the job market? (I'd be going for Assistant roles). Nearly every external Marketing contact I've made so far, has said that a degree can only get you so far, and it's experience that really matters, hopefully putting me in a good situation. Any advice would be appreciated. It is quite a long way off until I have to make a decision, but I'm all about being prepared. Thanks.

I don't know enough about Open University to say if its a step down or not. What I will say though is that if you feel you will accomplish more and getting better results through working + OU, then I say go for it. However, the job market is quite tough now. As far as I have seen, most jobs require a degree of some sort. If I were you I would be worried I to not get based to first screening job. Yes you have experience, which is great and that will give you a strong advantage when applying. The question is whether or not companies are willing to hire not degree level candidates, when there are candidates out there with a degree + experience. Have you talked to your boss and the potenial of staying on? Its good to be prepared for any situation anyways, so good that you are thinking about it already.