[Dioufy]

Good thread this..

Got my results in September, went traveling, came back and graduated in January, started a Sales & Marketing position in Feb on 20k plus bonuses, enjoying it so far. Had a few offers before I accepted my current position, I narrowly missed out on really good radio positions at Talk Sport & Radio 1 due to lack of experience and had an offer abroad in America.

I did Media, Cultural Studies & Drama at uni, I've always been a self starter / DIY person, I come from a business orientated background, I think that has helped. I really enjoyed the degree, it was a great experience and I am working on my own projects in those fields, graduate life has been good so far..

[M1011]

(Original post by Cll_ws)
I reckon you'd have a pretty good chance of getting a job with that degree, most likely in hairdressing

Fair point. I wouldn't commit three years of my life to a degree to become a hairdresser, but each to their own.

[lcsurfer]

(Original post by ivka)
which uni is that??

Coventry uni. They focus on getting you employable and its more about the teaching than the research there

[Cll_ws]

(Original post by M1011)
Fair point. I wouldn't commit three years of my life to a degree to become a hairdresser, but each to their own.

I'm not sure it is a degree to be honest! I think hairdressers do an apprenticeship with one of the companies, who train them and offer them a job once they finish.
Unless you plan on working for yourself, in which case I think you just go learn how to cut hair at a college or something.

[meow444]

(Original post by Cll_ws)
I'm not sure it is a degree to be honest! I think hairdressers do an apprenticeship with one of the companies, who train them and offer them a job once they finish.
Unless you plan on working for yourself, in which case I think you just go learn how to cut hair at a college or something.

http://www.ucb.ac.uk/courses/higher-...ng-ba-fda.aspx

but I reckon it would be a lot better/cheaper to do an apprenticeship!

[Aggster]

(Original post by NB_ide)
Cool, I started at Imperial as well but transferred to York because London is disgusting, haha.

Obviously I'm not the one to give advice about what to do to get a job. What do you actually want to work as, what kind of jobs do you think there are available? I think you have to realise that there are no jobs "in biochemistry" for someone at a graduate level. You either become an academic, or do further study and then try very hard to get into some kind of pharma or food-based industry. There will be plenty of jobs a biochem grad could do, sure, but they won't be in the field itself.

And all bioscience work is very low pay compared with, say, physical technology and engineering.

I can vouch for this! Done a MSci Biochem and still absolutely not qualified for ANY biochem jobs I come across! further study always needed for a biochem job!

[NOBODY MOVE!]

[Jelkin]

Just to inject a tiny bit of positivity into this thread ...

I am genuinely really happy with my job. I like the people, the pay and hours are good and I find it interesting and satisfying. Granted, I am pretty stressed out right now due to exams coming up, but that will pass soon, and it doesn't make me doubt that I chose the right career.

I'm not trying to boast. It wasn't always like this! Took me years and years to finalise what I wanted to do, and you can never be totally sure if you'll like it. I applied for jobs in my final year of uni and then during my Master's and then in my gap year after that. There were times when I thought no one would employ me! It was a long slog.

A few points (with the caveat that I am not an expert!):

Spoiler:

Show

- Some people seem preoccupied with the idea that their degree must be relevant to their job choice. This is not necessarily the case! My arts degree is a million miles away from my job now, and I am surrounded by people who did maths and economics ... yet I must have got the job over other maths and economics graduates.

- Experience is important, and the more relevant you can make it the better. But I had no experience relevant to my job, really. I took on all sorts of extra-currics and positions of responsibility at university, so I had plenty of things to draw on for competencies. So if you're still applying for jobs, start doing things to develop yourself outside the working environment. Do a run for charity, join (or start!) a local committee/club/campaign, or whatever. However, I think it's important also to remember that these things don't just tick a box - they do actually develop softer skills, and might help you with performance or even just with keeping yourself motivated.

- A few people have mentioned the numbers game, and it is true that you are more likely to find a job if you apply for more! But I don't believe it's just statistics. Each application you make should be refined and improved. I never just copied and pasted answers without any editing at all. And sometimes I'd look at previous applications and surprise myself with how much better I'd managed to make the later ones sound. Just like how you improve at interviews with practice, I believe that the more you write applications, the better you can make them.

- Networking can be hugely advantageous, because that's just the way the world works. However, you shouldn't get yourself down thinking that people only manage to get jobs through contacts. I did actually manage to do some networking myself, but it was quite accidental! I was reading up on the profession and stumbled across an article someone had written 8-9 years earlier which resonated with me, so I emailed him to say I liked it - genuinely that was all I wanted - and I tacked on a few questions about careers after a suggestion by my dad, and for some reason he seemed to take an interest in me. It was sheer luck that he happened to be involved in the recruitment for a firm I was interesting in working for (he later interviewed me!). Presumably this was part of the reason I was invited to assessment centre. BUT ... I did not get the job. I was in the top two candidates, and I was so frustrated at how close I got! But it wasn't long after that that I managed to get my current job, without any networking or contacts at all. So I suppose my moral is two-fold; firstly, that you don't need to have parents in the business or that kind of built-in advantage to network, and secondly, that networking is by no means the only way to gain employment.

- I should probably mention that my career is in a field that I imagine is less competitive than law/accountancy/medicine (not that it's not very competitive for a grad job in any field!). But sometimes I feel like no one seems to know it exists! Make sure you do your research - it could be you discover an area of work that would really suit you that is less competitive than some of these sought-after positions. I said at the top of this post that finding my job was a long slog. This wasn't just applying for things, it was also research. Research is the reason I managed to get into contact with that partner, and the reason I came across well-prepared in my successful interview, and the reason I ended up choosing a career that I'm so happy with.

- As a final note, it is very easy to get into a slump of thinking that no one will ever employ you (or at least not anyone you want). I was unemployed for quite a while after uni and it's easy to think that if one place rejects you another will, because for one place to reject you you think you must be falling short of some universal standard. I remember staring at the extremely long application form for my current job and thinking, "what's the point, they'll reject me anyway, maybe I'll just sack it off and apply to a different job tomorrow." I kind of looked at all companies as having the same criteria, I guess. But obviously now I'm glad I filled in that form!

I don't really know how to conclude this. I think half the battle is keeping your morale/spirits/motivation up so that you take positive actions to help yourself. Sure, it's true that a) the job market sucks, b) unemployment is high, c) some people walk into jobs because of who they know, and d) you could have done more in the past to make yourself more employable now (mine was "maybe I should have taken a different degree"). But ultimately, none of these things are preventing you from getting a job you will enjoy - they just make it a bit harder. Rise to the challenge!

(I hope none of this sounds too trite or patronising - sorry if so.)

[Cll_ws]

(Original post by meow444)
http://www.ucb.ac.uk/courses/higher-...ng-ba-fda.aspx

but I reckon it would be a lot better/cheaper to do an apprenticeship!

fair enough! haha
although that does include some sort of management aspect by the looks of it.

but yeah, cheaper and easier to do the apprenticeship. Well, you're paid to do it, as you work in the salon whilst you're training

[meow444]

(Original post by Jelkin)
(I hope none of this sounds too trite or patronising - sorry if so.)

Ah not at all. Glad to hear some reassuring words.

May I ask what your job actually is?

[Jelkin]

(Original post by meow444)
Ah not at all. Glad to hear some reassuring words.

May I ask what your job actually is?

Good, I saw that quite a few people said this thread had panicked them a bit so I thought I should redress the balance a bit!

I am training to be an actuarial consultant. The worst thing about it is having to explain to everyone what it is

[meow444]

(Original post by Jelkin)
Good, I saw that quite a few people said this thread had panicked them a bit so I thought I should redress the balance a bit!

I am training to be an actuarial consultant. The worst thing about it is having to explain to everyone what it is

Haha I'm going to have to admit I had to google it!

I'm surprised you enjoy it. It sounds like the kind of job I imagine I wouldn't like (no offence that's just my personal preference). But then I don't know much about it. Well done on getting it, especially as you said your degree was unrelated, and I imagine it was a coveted position.

[Jelkin]

(Original post by meow444)
Haha I'm going to have to admit I had to google it!

I'm surprised you enjoy it. It sounds like the kind of job I imagine I wouldn't like (no offence that's just my personal preference). But then I don't know much about it. Well done on getting it, especially as you said your degree was unrelated, and I imagine it was a coveted position.

Well if you don't like maths then that's a bad start! But I think it offers a really nice mix between technical work (figures, calculations, knowing technical information) and using softer skills (in the actual consulting with clients). That kind of balance is quite important to me. Also, the work is varied and there is really good progression. I think it helps that my company is awesome and I really like my colleagues.

[DancinBallerina]

Graduated November 2010 (2:1 Criminology and Sociology), and still no full time job! (I have 2 measly pt time jobs, 17 hrs a week). I have work experience in teaching, volunteering in the Courts, childcare, currently write a blog, and I bring that up at every interview and it makes no difference whatsoever! All I get told is ''Ooo you've done a lot''!

I wish I had a crystal ball before I went to uni; if I could see then what I'm going through now, I wouldn't have touched university with a barge pole!!!

[lazyswot]

(Original post by Jelkin)
Just to inject a tiny bit of positivity into this thread ...

I am genuinely really happy with my job. I like the people, the pay and hours are good and I find it interesting and satisfying. Granted, I am pretty stressed out right now due to exams coming up, but that will pass soon, and it doesn't make me doubt that I chose the right career.

I'm not trying to boast. It wasn't always like this! Took me years and years to finalise what I wanted to do, and you can never be totally sure if you'll like it. I applied for jobs in my final year of uni and then during my Master's and then in my gap year after that. There were times when I thought no one would employ me! It was a long slog.

A few points (with the caveat that I am not an expert!):

Spoiler:

Show

- Some people seem preoccupied with the idea that their degree must be relevant to their job choice. This is not necessarily the case! My arts degree is a million miles away from my job now, and I am surrounded by people who did maths and economics ... yet I must have got the job over other maths and economics graduates.

- Experience is important, and the more relevant you can make it the better. But I had no experience relevant to my job, really. I took on all sorts of extra-currics and positions of responsibility at university, so I had plenty of things to draw on for competencies. So if you're still applying for jobs, start doing things to develop yourself outside the working environment. Do a run for charity, join (or start!) a local committee/club/campaign, or whatever. However, I think it's important also to remember that these things don't just tick a box - they do actually develop softer skills, and might help you with performance or even just with keeping yourself motivated.

- A few people have mentioned the numbers game, and it is true that you are more likely to find a job if you apply for more! But I don't believe it's just statistics. Each application you make should be refined and improved. I never just copied and pasted answers without any editing at all. And sometimes I'd look at previous applications and surprise myself with how much better I'd managed to make the later ones sound. Just like how you improve at interviews with practice, I believe that the more you write applications, the better you can make them.

- Networking can be hugely advantageous, because that's just the way the world works. However, you shouldn't get yourself down thinking that people only manage to get jobs through contacts. I did actually manage to do some networking myself, but it was quite accidental! I was reading up on the profession and stumbled across an article someone had written 8-9 years earlier which resonated with me, so I emailed him to say I liked it - genuinely that was all I wanted - and I tacked on a few questions about careers after a suggestion by my dad, and for some reason he seemed to take an interest in me. It was sheer luck that he happened to be involved in the recruitment for a firm I was interesting in working for (he later interviewed me!). Presumably this was part of the reason I was invited to assessment centre. BUT ... I did not get the job. I was in the top two candidates, and I was so frustrated at how close I got! But it wasn't long after that that I managed to get my current job, without any networking or contacts at all. So I suppose my moral is two-fold; firstly, that you don't need to have parents in the business or that kind of built-in advantage to network, and secondly, that networking is by no means the only way to gain employment.

- I should probably mention that my career is in a field that I imagine is less competitive than law/accountancy/medicine (not that it's not very competitive for a grad job in any field!). But sometimes I feel like no one seems to know it exists! Make sure you do your research - it could be you discover an area of work that would really suit you that is less competitive than some of these sought-after positions. I said at the top of this post that finding my job was a long slog. This wasn't just applying for things, it was also research. Research is the reason I managed to get into contact with that partner, and the reason I came across well-prepared in my successful interview, and the reason I ended up choosing a career that I'm so happy with.

- As a final note, it is very easy to get into a slump of thinking that no one will ever employ you (or at least not anyone you want). I was unemployed for quite a while after uni and it's easy to think that if one place rejects you another will, because for one place to reject you you think you must be falling short of some universal standard. I remember staring at the extremely long application form for my current job and thinking, "what's the point, they'll reject me anyway, maybe I'll just sack it off and apply to a different job tomorrow." I kind of looked at all companies as having the same criteria, I guess. But obviously now I'm glad I filled in that form!

I don't really know how to conclude this. I think half the battle is keeping your morale/spirits/motivation up so that you take positive actions to help yourself. Sure, it's true that a) the job market sucks, b) unemployment is high, c) some people walk into jobs because of who they know, and d) you could have done more in the past to make yourself more employable now (mine was "maybe I should have taken a different degree"). But ultimately, none of these things are preventing you from getting a job you will enjoy - they just make it a bit harder. Rise to the challenge!

(I hope none of this sounds too trite or patronising - sorry if so.)

I tried to rep you but I've got no more rep left!

This thread worries me a bit, since I'm coming back from Canada in two weeks and looking for a graduate/lab tech job in chemistry. What if a chemistry job's as difficult to get as a biology job seems to be?!

[meow444]

(Original post by lazyswot)
I tried to rep you but I've got no more rep left!

This thread worries me a bit, since I'm coming back from Canada in two weeks and looking for a graduate/lab tech job in chemistry. What if a chemistry job's as difficult to get as a biology job seems to be?!

No I think a chem lab job is much easier. My best friend is a chemist and he hasn't had any problem getting a job. Plus whenever I look for job ads online I see tons of chem lab jobs. I think you might have to be flexible about location though.

[NB_ide]

(Original post by lazyswot)
I tried to rep you but I've got no more rep left!

This thread worries me a bit, since I'm coming back from Canada in two weeks and looking for a graduate/lab tech job in chemistry. What if a chemistry job's as difficult to get as a biology job seems to be?!

(Original post by meow444)
No I think a chem lab job is much easier. My best friend is a chemist and he hasn't had any problem getting a job. Plus whenever I look for job ads online I see tons of chem lab jobs. I think you might have to be flexible about location though.

"my friend" is a chemist and can't get a job, plus we don't measure number of vacancies in "tonnes". This is the problem with subjective judgements of "how many" jobs there are or how easy it is for someone from a given arbitrary category to get one.

lazyswot, I'd say at any one time there might be 5-10 clear chemistry jobs for graduates, and that will be lab tech stuff basically, which is boring and ****. Expect to seek further training rather than a job, if you want to stay in chemistry somehow. I'd encourage you to cast your net much, much wider, though. I'm now looking at unrelated jobs and have had an interview recently - the job was way over my head actually, and underpaid, so neither they nor I wanted me to have it!

[Chapeau Rouge]

(Original post by M1011)
Don't be put off by this thread.

So long as you are going to a decent university and aren't doing something woeful like BSc Hair Dressing it will be worth your while. Choose somewhere with a placement year if you are worried about gaining experience.

I imagine a BSc in hairdressing would actually be quite employable!

[lcsurfer]

(Original post by Chapeau Rouge)
This seems quite judging. I'm in my final year and I know for definite, as a number of people will probably agree, that when we started our degrees nobody said a word about doing work experience. It was always a perception within universities, especially if you went to a Russell Group uni that if you had 2:1 or above from this university in a good academic subject you would have no problem finding a job at all. It only seems to be since I started third year in September that universities have finally cottoned onto this not being enough, and by then it is of course too late as you are no longer eligible for all the internships that specify "you will be a penultimate year undergrad".

You are in a very lucky position as you can see how the economy is and know what to do differently- when I picked my A Levels, the recession hadn't even happened and if it had, I definitely would not have picked four arts/social science subjects. We have to deal with all the aftermath of this and hope for the best!

Again it depends on your uni and degree, i said earlier in this thread we were told from day 1 at uni experience is key to supplement your degree.
Also make a name for yourself... even if it is only in a small circle of people and do something that employers will think that you have actually done something through university apart from attend 9 hours of lectures a week.
Don't rely on your parents, the amount of times you meet people and they get introduced as so-and-so's son/daughter instead of their real name.
Do some volunteering for a company and alot of time people get hired through that!

[Disenchanted]

I've been lucky to transition from minimum wage temp jobs into a 23k graduate job (in scientific marketing) less than a year after graduating in Human Biology. It is very tough competition out there, I had to prepare incredibly hard for that interview!