We graduated 2:1 from Bath 2 years ago and haven't gotten a single job offer since...

My friends and I graduated from Bath in 2010 in Psychology. Most of us have 2:1s, some have 2:2s and one person I know got a first. My friends and I are in London. Some of our friends are still in Bath.

Aside from working a few temp min-wage cleaning/retail/data-entry jobs none of us have gotten decent/relevant jobs. We even have problems getting these kinds of jobs.

I have decided to post on this forum after googling and finding this thread from someone with a very similar problem: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1772590

I went to the Guardian job fair in 2010 and 11 and had my CV checked by their experts and aside from a couple minor issues my CV was good. I have lots relevant volunteer work experience. Like the other poster we also have problems with a lot of job applications in Psychology will reject you and offer you an unpaid volunteer position instead.

Is this just a common thing now that we have to accept? Or are we doing something wrong?

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Reply 1

M1011

Perhaps you need to broaden your scope outside of Psychology :redface:

Reply 2

Inkerman

Original post by JobHelp

You're a psychology graduate.

Am I the only one that's NOT surprised by the OP's predicament.

Reply 3

geetar

Have you been applying for stuff outside psychology? It's a pretty small field, and there are a lot of psychos out there.

Reply 4

fuzznbass

It's not just psychology degrees it's lots of degrees in general where the holder struggles to get decent jobs

Reply 5

Freiheit

Post-grad in a degree which has clearer job prospects ?

Reply 6

gurkin123

Original post by JobHelp

in psychology.

That is your first problem, followed by:

Original post by JobHelp

Aside from working a few temp min-wage cleaning/retail/data-entry jobs none of us have gotten decent/relevant jobs. We even have problems getting these kinds of jobs.

A complete lack of relevant work experience.

Reply 7

fuzznbass

Original post by nish81

I know very few people in natural science (inc. engineering), economics/business, and law courses, who've had trouble finding jobs. There's definitely a correlation, if not causation, between the two

I wouldn't include law, obviously some degrees are more likely to get you jobs, I'm not saying its because there's too many graduates though , the economy is tough but sometimes I think its better to do something else, I know I might

Reply 8

Id and Ego seek

This thread,

this thread is depressing.

Reply 9

llacerta

I'm not surprised, and I study psychology myself.

Are you and your friends only going for psychology related jobs? Because it seems almost impossible to get something in the area without a perfect CV and lots of very relevant experience. It's tough, definitely.

Reply 10

fnm

Original post by fuzznbass

It's not just psychology degrees it's lots of degrees in general where the holder struggles to get decent jobs

16,000 people go on to start psychology at uni each year (UCAS). Only Law is more popular. There's no way near enough jobs in psychology. But people seem to think you can do anything with a psychology degree, LOL.

Reply 11

fuzznbass

Original post by fnm

There should be limits on this , the Uni's are making lots money out of them but not many will really get jobs. On the flip side I've heard History isn't good for jobs either but I'm not sure if lots of people study that.

Reply 12

llacerta

Original post by fuzznbass

I agree to a certain extent, but rather than capping numbers, I think potential psychology students should be made very aware of what they're getting themselves into. If they completely understand the situation, the fact that so many people study the subject and that so few get jobs in the area, and then decide to do the course anyway, at least they're taking an educated risk. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case for many people who end up with a psychology degree.

Reply 13

fnm

Original post by fuzznbass

http://www.ucas.ac.uk/about_us/stat_services/stats_online/data_tables/subject/2011

the data ucas publishes is fantastic. very helpful.

Reply 14

JobHelp

Original post by M1011

Perhaps you need to broaden your scope outside of Psychology :redface:

We are, but we are not even getting min wage jobs that don't require a degree.

At the job fair they suggested not to put our degree on our CV when we apply for these types of jobs but I don't know how to explain the 3 year gap? :confused:

A degree puts employers off because they know you will run a mile as soon as something better comes along.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 15

anatolia3

Original post by JobHelp

why don't you get any further training in psychology? have you tried graduate schemes that ask for any type of degree?

Reply 16

lcsurfer

why is it so surprising to people that you don't just get handed jobs on a plate after getting a degree...
50%+ jobs aren't advertised and it's all about networking, getting relevant experience and leaving your comfort zone..