The main thing that uni has taught me is how to solve problems under immense time pressure and stress. The engineering is almost secondary, as unless you’re going into a research/design role it’s mostly common sense and experience over time, not the ability to memorize equations and solve very specific closed systems.
If a decent apprenticeship had been available to me when I was 18 (I did look), I probably would’ve done that, but I’m really glad I took this route and did the degree. Great job prospects, brilliant network, no ragrets.
disclaimer: living in Scotland means my tuition fees were covered (thanks taxpayers), and scholarships kept me fed and watered (thanks institutions), so typical student financial woes weren’t as prevalent for me. My student loan is sat in a savings account waiting to be dumped on a house deposit in a couple of years…