I know. That's why I'm telling you because that exactly how I
feel and how my friends feel. We feel disillusioned and lied to because we're working for the minimum wage (or unemployed) after doing everything the 'right' way.
I was a model pupil at at school - a prefect, a tutor for year 7/8 when I was in 6th form, I won end of year awards, I was in the orchestra, I helped run an morning music club. I went into the 6th form to take A-Levels and did well academically as well as playing for the first team of my local sports club, I completed placements in the NHS, I worked hard in my subjects.
Then I got into uni. I worked very hard again. I was a teaching assistant during the 2nd year of my degree, I had a P/T job in my 1st/2nd year and completed a placement at HMCS with an excellent commendation. I was part of 3 uni socs, a debating club (Philosophy!) and I did work for my university Library as well as helping to run a departmental event that took place in various locations throughout the city (art gallerys/cathedrals) and I did photography work for the publications regarding those events. I also attended seminars outside of my course and submitted papers for consideration as well as writing for the student paper.
As well as this I volunteered at the weekends (whilst working P/T in the evenings) in my first two years for a local charity (I'd already been volunteering with them 12 months prior to uni).
There are various other bits and bobs I did, those are the things that I remember. I didn't just turn up and scrape a 2.1 - I worked incredibly hard not only for my 2.1 but regarding all of the things I did outside of the lecture theaters and seminar rooms. I was a hardworking student and I graduated into the fallout of this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_RecessionEmployers weren't taking on, the number of grad jobs had reduced and even low-skilled work was incredibly hard to come by. Now things are starting to pick up so hopefully it won't be as bad in future but it's been 3 years for me and the grads who found themselves in the same circumstances in 11'/12'/13' so I'm not eligible for a lot of schemes anymore. It seems like your degree slowly loses value the longer you're not in grad work.
This is my experience. As I say, I'm not here to scare people or put people off. I'm saying that you should be aware of employablilty before you embark on 3 years of hard work and you should be aware that the above is a reality for many people.
Also, I just like to say - what I've
learned about this reality I've experienced for the past 3 years goes against everything I've ever believed in and was taught by my teachers. I was told hard work = success. I worked hard. That is what stings. I don't want other people to experience what I have, that's why I'm talking about it....not so that rude people (not you who I'm quoting) can insult me and tell people I'm somehow lazy or was unprepared. I worked incredibly hard, I always have done.