I don't believe having a degree sets someone up for life. I only mention it as the linked article talks mainly of underprivaleged students failing to achieve in academia; and my ancedotal example is mainly to highlight that even with a degree many people find it dofficult to get a foot in the door. I have other qualifications and skills that i've built up.

My degree was a specialised form of international politics, offered in only several places in the world and from a department that had higher scoring than Oxford. Only around 100 people a year (exluding the military) graduate with my degree and, from what I gather, most haven't found it difficult to gain employment in a related field. Whereas I was knocked back. And its still relevent in today's world, and I still have a keen interest in the subject. I feel however that because almost ten years have passed and i've been underemployed in that period, potential employers would be more interested in the ten years that have past rather than the ten years before that.

So, despite working hard I couldn't get my foot in the door and that opportunity has now past. Meaning i'm back where I started. While not saying its definately the case, I can't help but feel that my socio-economic background may have had a negative impact. And there are many, many more examples of people from underpriveleged backgrounds who, try as they might, struggle to make hige imrpovements.