2:2 from a "good university". Doomed?

Hi,

this converstion has come up a few times as i had a couple of friends that got 2.2. I can't speak specifically re. economics, but the general advice from friends that have been involved in recruitment is:

Apply regardless of whether positions have a minimum grade requirement.

most positions (in the experience of my friends) have been filled with these priorities:

1. Is the interviewee capable of doing the job/course
2. Will they fit into the team/establishment whatever
3. Which uni and what grade (as much a tie-breaker for suitable candidates)

and remember that there are tonnes of people out there with a 1st/2.1 that are in mororless the same position.

Charisma, and who you know, not what really does count for a lot. Get out there and make some noise. Good luck.

My award winning spoon collection was apparently not enough.

They'll be laughing on the other side of their faces when I win the World Spoon Championships.

I can't agree with this enough. Take grade requirements with a pinch of salt. You'll get a hell of a lot of rejections but all it takes is one person to give you a chance and you can show there's more to you than a 2.2. I dropped out of uni and yet work for a big 4. Charisma and likeability play a huge part in interviews, no one wants to be stuck next a bore 9-5 (well, more like 9-11 some days..) everyday. Keep applying, eventually you'll get your shot.

Why not pursue ACCA if its a career in Accountancy that you want. You could get exempted from some of the papers if your degree in an Accounting Degree.

Thanks again for all the replies guys. I do feel much better after this thread, so thanks for all the advice.

Now, can someone tell me what I can do regarding work experience? Should I be looking for the standard internships or just unpaid things? How would I go about that? If someone could point me to reading material on what has to be done, I'd be grateful. Thanks.

EDIT: Also, given that it's unlikely at this point that a company will want to take me on for the ACA, do you think I would be more likely to do an ACA after completing an ACCA instead?

Thank you. Your post was heartening and positive, I appreciate it.

Its very difficult, I also got 2.2 in Economics and haven't been able to secure position. Its a silly world where you get a 2.2 in a challenging subject and you're on the scrapheap even if its in a relevant degree. Its basically discouraging a lot of undergrads from doing more difficult subjects.

Most profiles I've seen online show graduates who get ACA contracts having academic degrees, not mickey mouse ones. Ie History, Politics, the Sciences, Business and Finance, Economics, English and Geography, as well as some with Languages.

You need to understand that there's a fair bit of competition around and there will always be more people chasing contracts than places available.

I do understand it, but I still think that someone who has a 2.2 in a difficult subject like Physics, Maths, Economics from a decent degree with history of good results for a level. I think apart from Finance and some languages, I would actually think that the other degrees you listed are comparatively easier than Economics. I know I could have got a 2.1 in Business with the same amount of work I did to get a 2.2 in Economics

I do understand it, but I still think that someone who has a 2.2 in a difficult subject like Physics, Maths, Economics from a decent degree with history of good results for a level. I think apart from Finance and some languages, I would actually think that the other degrees you listed are comparatively easier than Economics. I know I could have got a 2.1 in Business with the same amount of work I did to get a 2.2 in Economics

Best advice.

The Big 4 have auto filter system for ACA graduate programme, people managed to get in without 2:1 and above is minimal.

And yet somehow us lesser mortals with English degrees are able to complete the ACA e.t.c. and going to successful accounting careers. The mind boggles.

Well for the ACA, the key thing employers care about is your ability to pass the exams. There's some content, you learn it, and sit an exam. An academic subject is an academic subject. Hence you're meant to study something you're good at, rather than studying something because it's 'difficult'. That's a by-product of the situation, or an excuse.

A lot of the stuff you learn in an Economics degree is useless to accountancy and the ACA. A lot of the stuff you learn in a History degree is useless to accountancy and the ACA. Candidates have a box, and it needs to be ticked. That's all.

Unless you have extenuating circumstances, you need to look at yourself before complaining about others with other academic degrees. It's unfair. The fact that most graduates get the 2:1 says something about you (unless you have extenuating circumstances of course).

I know I could have got a 2.1 in Business with the same amount of work I did to get a 2.2 in Economics