[rock_climber86]

(Original post by cgraham15)
I'm in Spain at the moment and it's much worse here. 50% youth unemployment. I hope the recession won't last forever.

Also, I have a question. When the recession goes and there is an economic boom, will University degrees be as desired as they are now?

they are desired? I certainly am not getting that impression Do you mean "as desired as they were?"

[cgraham15]

(Original post by rock_climber86)
they are desired? I certainly am not getting that impression Do you mean "as desired as they were?"

Well, I see more people want to go to University as they believe it will help them get a job, whether or not they are desired :P maybe after the recession people won't see the need to go to University.

[rock_climber86]

(Original post by cgraham15)
Well, I see more people want to go to University as they believe it will help them get a job, whether or not they are desired :P maybe after the recession people won't see the need to go to University.

after 2 years of not being able to get onto any grad scheme/job I am of the opinion they're deluded Or maybe i'm just too unemployable!

[thegaffer91]

(Original post by wanderlust.xx)
I find it extremely frustrating. I know that it's a little too late to examine what went wrong or to point the finger at others, but even though my careers service hinted at the prospect of a graduate scheme, none actually told us, "If you don't apply now, you'll be unemployed come September". I don't think it hit anyone while we were in our final year - exams were the priority, when it should have been grad schemes.

Everyone had the wrong end of the stick. "Get a first and you'll get a job" was a sentence that was so overused that I can't believe how so many of us managed to fall for it.

There really should be far more done to a) allow graduates into work without this yearly recruitment drive and b) to get them to understand that academic grades count for little to squat in the real world! Many still don't understand and it really does destroy lives.

/rant

Can I just ask what university you were at? The obvious answer to your rant is that the onus should be on you to find out about careers, the roles available and when you need to apply. Surely there were careers fairs and whatnot that suggested you may need to apply early?

Everyone at your university may have thought that, but this was not the case at most of the top universities.

Of your points in the last paragraph, I 100% disagree with the first point, and 100% agree with the second.

How would you propose to " allow graduates into work without this yearly recruitment drive"? You can't force companies to employ people, many of them already hire tens if not hundreds of graduates. But there needs to be a lot more done by careers services to prepare people for employment. The vast majority of the information I and others gained about employment came from my own personal research or from the relevant societies.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9300

[cgraham15]

(Original post by rock_climber86)
after 2 years of not being able to get onto any grad scheme/job I am of the opinion they're deluded Or maybe i'm just too unemployable!

Think the best bet is to just leave the country that's what I plan to do. Spain or South America

[rock_climber86]

(Original post by cgraham15)
Think the best bet is to just leave the country that's what I plan to do. Spain or South America

damn you and your spanish skills! . I did a module in spanish in my final year just to do something different and i got 0% i kid you not! i'd not survive a day in a spanish speaking country, lol.

[Mr Student]

I graduated in 2009 and have had many menial and low paid jobs. I was fortunate enough to get a non-graduate job that pays 19K as an engineer but I had to move hell and earth to get it. I had interviews in Scotland, Wales and 3 different cities in England till I finally landed one in my home town. I'm now considering doing a funded BSc as I love this job but it comes at a cost: working weekends and nights and the workload is simply unmanageable at times, even for seasoned engineers who have been in the factory for over 20 years.

Chucking away 19K to take a punt on studying is a massive reservation for me but I've signed up for Sept. Maybe I should reconsider and resign myself to the fact that education is quite simply not preparing people for meaningful work ... what little of that exists.

[cgraham15]

(Original post by rock_climber86)
damn you and your spanish skills! . I did a module in spanish in my final year just to do something different and i got 0% i kid you not! i'd not survive a day in a spanish speaking country, lol.

Really?! And don't worry my listening comprehension is rather shocking. I estimate I need a lot of practice.

[rock_climber86]

(Original post by Mr Student)

Chucking away 19K to take a punt on studying is a massive reservation for me but I've signed up for Sept. Maybe I should reconsider and resign myself to the fact that education is quite simply not preparing people for meaningful work ... what little of that exists.

Ah 'good' to hear i'm not alone. . Go back to uni if you really like the course, as another 3 years doing a BSc is a long long time! I went to uni to just get a piece of paper in the end. Got sick of the degree by the 3rd year! Now that i've had two years out and am sick of the real world i'm going back not just because it might help get a job, but for the intellectual stimulation. Working in a lame office job is soul destroying and not mentally stimulating at all!

[Arianto]

(Original post by jonnythemoose)
I can understand how you feel, although in my case I think I'm sort of choosing to be 'left behind'. I've just graduated (three days ago!) and a lot of my friends are moving into full-time work or doing Master's degrees.

I know that one day I want to do a Master's too, as I want to pursue a career in interpreting and/or translation; however, I am ready for a break from the world of academia, and there are so many things I want to see and do now, whilst I have no responsibilities or ties to home. So this year I'll be going to France to work for a year; and the following year I'm hoping to go to Colombia. At some point I'd like to spend some time in Asia, and also in Brazil.

At this rate, I can't see myself having the money or the desire to do the Master's for another five years or so, which is absolutely fine by me...I can't get into my chosen career path without a Master's, and by spending time abroad I am improving my languages skills, so it's not like I'm dossing about. Nevertheless I know that in a couple of years time, I'll probably feel a little bit left behind, too. Try not to worry about it, OP. We are in a difficult time economically, and there's no rush to get into the serious world of work. After all; you'll be working until you're 65...why does it matter if you start at 21, 22, 26, 29...?

I like the way you think I can so see myself travelling and working all over aswell...

Although (ignoring the fact that the retiring age in the UK will be 80 odd) I'd like to think that there's every chance I'll retire in a completely different country half the world away!


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Llamageddon]

(Original post by rock_climber86)
after 2 years of not being able to get onto any grad scheme/job I am of the opinion they're deluded Or maybe i'm just too unemployable!

Maybe you're looking in the wrong places. Your university careers website can often be fantastic for this, talking with your old lecturers and whatnot also. Graduate management training schemes are very over rated and account for a tiny portion of graduate employment. Maybe you could try jobs.ac.uk also if you're going for science based roles.

[kka25]

(Original post by Mr Student)
I graduated in 2009 and have had many menial and low paid jobs. I was fortunate enough to get a non-graduate job that pays 19K as an engineer but I had to move hell and earth to get it. I had interviews in Scotland, Wales and 3 different cities in England till I finally landed one in my home town. I'm now considering doing a funded BSc as I love this job but it comes at a cost: working weekends and nights and the workload is simply unmanageable at times, even for seasoned engineers who have been in the factory for over 20 years.

Chucking away 19K to take a punt on studying is a massive reservation for me but I've signed up for Sept. Maybe I should reconsider and resign myself to the fact that education is quite simply not preparing people for meaningful work ... what little of that exists.

Mate, you have my respect; how have you managed all of these? I worked for this company before and I quit after taking almost 8 hours commute to the place back and forth : (

[rock_climber86]

(Original post by kka25)
Mate, you have my respect; how have you managed all of these? I worked for this company before and I quit after taking almost 8 hours commute to the place back and forth : (

8 hours? you for real? Man that's dedication man!

[Billydodger]

(Original post by rock_climber86)
Hi,

I am a Geophysics grad of 2010 and not been able to get meaningful grad work. Just done a few months temping here and there. I feel like i'm never going to get a proper job and am always going to be doing lame temp jobs/retail work for my whole life.

Does anyone else feel that due to this recession they will be left behind? I've had a pretty crap two years and i'm starting to feel that i'm never going to get on the career ladder . So worried I've decided to use my savings from the temp job to do a masters for a year in Petroleum Geophysics, hoping it'll give me some vital work experience and hopefully land that elusive job! Not counting on it though!

Post your stories/views of if you think your life will ever pan out!

Well what University did you go to? Did you get a 2.1/1st? Did you apply to do Internships/work experience/volunteering in your chosen field? What extra-cirriculars did you take part in at uni? Were you the president of a society/excel in sport?

If not, then that's probably your problem. Just cos you did some mediocre degree at a mediocre University does not mean the economy owes you a relevant job. Don't blame your lack of effort and talent on the economy. There are jobs out there. But other people are just better for them. If you truly believe you are good enough, do stuff to prove to prospective employers that you are.

[rock_climber86]

(Original post by Billydodger)
Well what University did you go to? Did you get a 2.1/1st? Did you apply to do Internships/work experience/volunteering in your chosen field? What extra-cirriculars did you take part in at uni? Were you the president of a society/excel in sport?

If not, then that's probably your problem. Just cos you did some mediocre degree at a mediocre University does not mean the economy owes you a relevant job. Don't blame your lack of effort and talent on the economy. There are jobs out there. But other people are just better for them. If you truly believe you are good enough, do stuff to prove to prospective employers that you are.

Hiya,

I honestly don't know what's wrong. ucl geophysics graduate and got mid 2:1. I do lots of rock climbing and represented ucl at the BUSA climbing championships. I also swim, have traveled around the world (self funded), and I currently volunteer as a maths tutor at a charity. I've got excellent grades before uni and the only way i feel i'm lacking is in experience but i can't seem to get onto any internships/work experience placements .... no one is interested . I have got a suspicion people are being ageist because i'm 25 now! (had a few years out here and there)

on this new info, any ideas what i'm doing wrong?

[kka25]

(Original post by rock_climber86)
8 hours? you for real? Man that's dedication man!

Yarrr matey; 4 hours+- to go to the bloody office and another 4 hours+- to go back to the bloody house lol. I've not yet even talked about the ****ty boss :/

That's where I learn that the location of the place I'm working is mooooore important than what 'people say' about the company.

[kka25]

(Original post by rock_climber86)
Hiya,

I honestly don't know what's wrong. ucl geophysics graduate and got mid 2:1. I do lots of rock climbing and represented ucl at the BUSA climbing championships. I also swim, have traveled around the world (self funded), and I currently volunteer as a maths tutor at a charity. I've got excellent grades before uni and the only way i feel i'm lacking is in experience but i can't seem to get onto any internships/work experience placements .... no one is interested . I have got a suspicion people are being ageist because i'm 25 now! (had a few years out here and there)

on this new info, any ideas what i'm doing wrong?

hurm... well I do not know how you've performed in oral, essay and written based interviews; so I can' judge. I do not know also the companies you have applied so I can't say anything as well.

Maybe, a pinch of 'luck' isn't there yet. Just hold on. It will be there soon enough.

[Billydodger]

(Original post by rock_climber86)
Hiya,

I honestly don't know what's wrong. ucl geophysics graduate and got mid 2:1. I do lots of rock climbing and represented ucl at the BUSA climbing championships. I also swim, have traveled around the world (self funded), and I currently volunteer as a maths tutor at a charity. I've got excellent grades before uni and the only way i feel i'm lacking is in experience but i can't seem to get onto any internships/work experience placements .... no one is interested . I have got a suspicion people are being ageist because i'm 25 now! (had a few years out here and there)

on this new info, any ideas what i'm doing wrong?

Then you need to start on a different approach. Find out the names of company directors you'd like to work for a send letters straight to them begging for a chance to help out in any way. Apply to companies abroad.

What are your classmates up to now?

You might have to face the fact that there is not the demand for your degree. Although it would be nice to work in your dream field, it might be more realistic to just apply for everything to save up some cash at the moment.

[rock_climber86]

(Original post by Billydodger)
What are your classmates up to now?

my best friend is a gym manager a few doing phd's/masters, one traveling, one working in m&s head office, other doing some catastrophe modelling (her dad set her up), and one working for g4s, temping!

(Original post by Billydodger)
You might have to face the fact that there is not the demand for your degree. Although it would be nice to work in your dream field, it might be more realistic to just apply for everything to save up some cash at the moment.

pretty strong demand for geophysicists with the right experience. Unfortunately no one is willing to give graduates like me the chance by offering me some experience! I'm not work shy have have applied for everything and anything in terms of grad schemes, non grad jobs and even random officey interns. I just suck at selling myself -i'm no salesman - just a geeky modest science dude

[Johnny Luk]

(Original post by rock_climber86)
Hi,

I am a Geophysics grad of 2010 and not been able to get meaningful grad work. Just done a few months temping here and there. I feel like i'm never going to get a proper job and am always going to be doing lame temp jobs/retail work for my whole life.

Does anyone else feel that due to this recession they will be left behind? I've had a pretty crap two years and i'm starting to feel that i'm never going to get on the career ladder . So worried I've decided to use my savings from the temp job to do a masters for a year in Petroleum Geophysics, hoping it'll give me some vital work experience and hopefully land that elusive job! Not counting on it though!

Post your stories/views of if you think your life will ever pan out!

I am sorry for those who feel that they are left behind after graduating.

During University people often have a aim or a focus that consumes their lives. So when they graduate there is this anticlimax, or emptiness that is often hard to fill, especially if there is no worthwhile job to enter afterwards.

Unfortunately to get into a corporate grad scheme, there is a certain 'type' that you have to get through the cycle. I treat it just like any exam, play with the game if you wish to win. That often means because a extrovert, being confident (or even slightly arrogant) and doing this may seem unnatural like networking or being aggressive. For many modest hard working people, that just doesn't feel right, and so when you get rejected from a firm (which happens to everyone, including myself), you paradoxically lose confidence that further decreases the odds of succeeding in the next cycle: resulting in a cycle of decline.

Getting a degree merely gives you the chance to open the door, but that's it. You need to fill your CV with relevant work experience, practise those online test till they are perfect. Practise competency questions, perhaps in front of a mirror, in video, with a set of questions that tend to be repeated. Assessment centres are hard, especially if your shy and you need to be assertive in a group exercise. I joined debating to become more 'combative' and did acting and dancing to improve my image. Also check out NLP (neurolinguistic programming).

Another common issue is on 'what to apply for'. This is a particular problem for woman, who often want to be the perfect fit for that job before applying. Many guys just close their eyes and apply for anything and everything, even if the fit is not that great. The latter is a good way to go about it, even if it means that you get rejected, as it gives greater experience and practise interviews. Furthermore if you happen to get a job that you don't really like, its still great experience and you get to discover a career path that you may not have done before.

So for example I applied to over 15 firms in my 2nd year, and at least 10 in my final year. Plenty of rejections but you learn from them. It sucks when you feel empty and lied to about degrees, 90% of the things you learn at Uni is useless unless you go into academia. Its the transferable skills that count and the ability to be your own 'spin doctor'. Depressing? A bit, but real life? Sure is.

Keep your head up, don't believe in the headlines, graduate jobs are increasing, not decreasing. Opportunities are vast, competition is high, but here is a good analogy that I always tell my peers.

Say pre 2007, the top 30% of competent graduates get a good grad scheme, say now in post 2007 it is only the top 20%. Do you notice something? The top 20% for both era's will still get the job. Thats what you gotto do, get to the top. Its a dog eat dog world out there, use that to push yourself to the limit. Because when you get to the top, in a s****y suit in a glass building and looking at the sights, its a great view.

The Higher Education system needs to be reformed, this academia stuff is just students funding lecturers 'pet' projects, while saddled with poor, irrelevant teaching that only suits the 5% who choose to go into academia in a (probably eventually unrelated) field.

Keep your head up, its how you deal with adversity that makes you to the top!

Best wishes,

JL