"Nearly one in 10 students who graduated from university in summer 2008 were out of work the following January - up from 5.5 per cent the year before."
Not surprising, really. Too many graduates think that their degree is a ticket to a job, or that someone owes them work once they've graduated and that they're too good for certain jobs. It's lazy, and it's only harming them.
It starts before graduation, maybe even before they start university, and you see it on this website. Students are obsessed with grades, and get the idea that high grades are going to set them up for life, so they don't make an effort to gain other valuable experiences during their time in education. Then, once they do graduate, they expect magic and it doesn't arrive.
Graduate schemes are just so competitive to get onto that's why unemployment is so high among recent grads. Interviews can be really tricky to deal with, I'm confident that I have the skillset required but you've only got around 45 minutes to convince the HR gal/guy. Rejection isn't nice , every time I get rejected, my confidence drops.
Obviously a degree doesn't guarentee a job but it's a pre-requisite for a lot of job roles I'm interested in. If uni didn't improve my career prospects then I wouldn't have gone. For the record, I'm not unemployed but I would like to build a career some time soon. I want to work and I want to develop my skills - it's difficult to convince employers that you're motivated.
Not surprising, really. Too many graduates think that their degree is a ticket to a job, or that someone owes them work once they've graduated and that they're too good for certain jobs. It's lazy, and it's only harming them.
It starts before graduation, maybe even before they start university, and you see it on this website. Students are obsessed with grades, and get the idea that high grades are going to set them up for life, so they don't make an effort to gain other valuable experiences during their time in education. Then, once they do graduate, they expect magic and it doesn't arrive.
It's ugly out there and slowly students are going to realise that they have been screwed. University does not guarantee a job, this is not a recession but a depression. Soon many graduates are going to be depressed. lol
Indeed, it's obvious that there just isn't enough "grad scheme jobs" for each graduate per annum. Like myself and many others; I felt that doing a degree would entitle me to start higher up the job ladder as opposed to someone with no degree.
The vast majority are then forced to enter the job market at the bottom. Which is already full of labourers whom have years of relevant experience compared to the average Graduate.
I would have expected the percentage to be higher, but there is always next year
Since I'm forecasting a massive backlog of yesteryear graduates as well as fresh graduates applying.
I graduated 2008. Should have jumped into employment straight away instead of doing MORE education (wasting more time NOT gaining any real work experience). Now I see the lies unfold into a harsh and cruel reality for graduates. People don't snap us up just because we have degrees. I don't what people are being told in schools now (what with the recession being a testament to FAILURE to represent the real world to students, overly pressurising them to ONLY focus on getting good grades) but I hope they learn better.
But judging from what pops up on TSR forums, people seem to have adopted an "it won't happen to me!" mentality.
But judging from what pops up on TSR forums, people seem to have adopted an "it won't happen to me!" mentality.
Well it didn't happen to me. If you're good then there are jobs out there for you, if you thought a degree alone shows that then you weren't listening. Nobody in the last decade has said a degree gets you a job, they say a degree with ECs and Work Ex gets you a job.
I graduated 2008. Should have jumped into employment straight away instead of doing MORE education (wasting more time NOT gaining any real work experience). Now I see the lies unfold into a harsh and cruel reality for graduates. People don't snap us up just because we have degrees. I don't what people are being told in schools now (what with the recession being a testament to FAILURE to represent the real world to students, overly pressurising them to ONLY focus on getting good grades) but I hope they learn better.
But judging from what pops up on TSR forums, people seem to have adopted an "it won't happen to me!" mentality.
I half agree with what you're saying, but degrees (with a good score - 2.1 or better) really are an important stepping stone into employment - in particularly postgraduate qualifications if possible. These, with several internships/work placements should stand you well.
As for the 'it won't happen to me' mentality.. I do agree with that, some individuals are like that on TSR I suppose. But to be fair, it's the correct attitude if you're prepared to put some elbow grease into your work, and if you're proactive with changes in the job market and available work placements.
I graduated 2008. Should have jumped into employment straight away instead of doing MORE education (wasting more time NOT gaining any real work experience). Now I see the lies unfold into a harsh and cruel reality for graduates. People don't snap us up just because we have degrees. I don't what people are being told in schools now (what with the recession being a testament to FAILURE to represent the real world to students, overly pressurising them to ONLY focus on getting good grades) but I hope they learn better.
But judging from what pops up on TSR forums, people seem to have adopted an "it won't happen to me!" mentality.
I was snapped up before my degree ended and put on over £36 k as a trainee in the pharmaceutical industry. I go to a pretty unknown university, not highly ranked at all, but my degree is highly technical. It does happen. By the way, grades mean nothing, and university means nothing. I still haven't graduated
Graduate schemes are just so competitive to get onto that's why unemployment is so high among recent grads. Interviews can be really tricky to deal with, I'm confident that I have the skillset required but you've only got around 45 minutes to convince the HR gal/guy. Rejection isn't nice , every time I get rejected, my confidence drops.
Obviously a degree doesn't guarentee a job but it's a pre-requisite for a lot of job roles I'm interested in. If uni didn't improve my career prospects then I wouldn't have gone. For the record, I'm not unemployed but I would like to build a career some time soon. I want to work and I want to develop my skills - it's difficult to convince employers that you're motivated.
I suspect that's just for these general graduate schemes. If you're a good engineering or science student you can find and get onto a technical scheme or job very easily.
I suspect that's just for these general graduate schemes. If you're a good engineering or science student you can find and get onto a technical scheme or job very easily.
By any chance are you are graduate?
The problem isn't graduate employment, but people's attitudes to employment as a whole. Never have we had to grind so hard for jobs we want, and it really is survival of those who are quickest to adapt and go the extra mile.
The comment you made strikes me as totally complacent. The same complacency which is rife on the TSR.
The problem isn't graduate employment, but people's attitudes to employment as a whole. Never have we had to grind so hard for jobs we want, and it really is survival of those who are quickest to adapt and go the extra mile.
The comment you made strikes me as totally complacent. The same complacency which is rife on the TSR.
Jobs, job interviews, CVs and qualifications.
Useful Resources:
Graduate unemployment soars 44%
