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MSc Business with Management graduate still seeking employment

Hi,

I finished a Masters degree in Business with Management in January 2013, officially graduating in July 2013, but have yet to gain graduate-calibre employment.

Prior to my Masters, I was working as an administrative assistant and having failed to gain relevant employment after my qualification, I was employed on a three-month temporary contract between April and June 2013 as a ‘contract services administrator’ and then as a ‘faculty support assistant administrator’ on another temporary contract which is ongoing.


I do intend on applying for numerous graduate programmes when they open for applications again in September 2014, but was wondering how prospective employers would perceive the transition from a Masters degree to an administrator level and then to an assistant administrator level?

At the moment I feel as though I can’t justify this transition and I am pigeon-holed in basic administration. I am struggling to enter the procurement and supply chain management field which I aim to pursue as a career so was wondering if I still remain with a ‘graduate CV’ or opt for a ‘career change’ CV as it is now been quite some time since I completed my course?

Do you think I will still be eligible to apply for agraduate scheme even though I completed my course in January 2013? How would prospective employers view this?

Many thanks in advance for your help.
(edited 9 years ago)
Why do people get Msc hoping they will find work? NEWSFLASH: Employers want experience not papers that only prove you can memorise an exam.

If you have a 2:1 in undegrad you can apply for graduate schemes. But theyre very competitive and only take on the elite, so A-B in alevels, top 30 uni with a high 2:1 or first and if you make it to the interviews you have to go through tests, group assesments and endless face to face interviews to get in, so good luck with that.

I would advice volunteering for a few months just to get experience while working admin part time, then after a year or so you can aim for some graduate jobs.

good luck
Original post by williamjames89
Hi,

I finished a Masters degree in Business with Management in January 2013, officially graduating in July 2013, but have yet to gain graduate-calibre employment.

Prior to my Masters, I was working as an administrative assistant and having failed to gain relevant employment after my qualification, I was employed on a three-month temporary contract between April and June 2013 as a ‘contract services administrator’ and then as a ‘faculty support assistant administrator’ on another temporary contract which is ongoing.


I do intend on applying for numerous graduate programmes when they open for applications again in September 2014, but was wondering how prospective employers would perceive the transition from a Masters degree to an administrator level and then to an assistant administrator level?

At the moment I feel as though I can’t justify this transition and I am pigeon-holed in basic administration. I am struggling to enter the procurement and supply chain management field which I aim to pursue as a career so was wondering if I still remain with a ‘graduate CV’ or opt for a ‘career change’ CV as it is now been quite some time since I completed my course?

Do you think I will still be eligible to apply for agraduate scheme even though I completed my course in January 2013? How would prospective employers view this?

Many thanks in advance for your help.


Have you researched the requirements for such roles? And have you made any attempt to gain relevant skills for that particular field? I can't tell because you haven't given much information about what you've done to get these kind of jobs.

If you're experience is looking quite generic then quite simply you need to get cracking and get specialist experience and specific expertise. See if you can find any internships in procurement/supply chain.
Reply 3
Original post by williamjames89
Hi,

I finished a Masters degree in Business with Management in January 2013, officially graduating in July 2013, but have yet to gain graduate-calibre employment.

Prior to my Masters, I was working as an administrative assistant and having failed to gain relevant employment after my qualification, I was employed on a three-month temporary contract between April and June 2013 as a ‘contract services administrator’ and then as a ‘faculty support assistant administrator’ on another temporary contract which is ongoing.


I do intend on applying for numerous graduate programmes when they open for applications again in September 2014, but was wondering how prospective employers would perceive the transition from a Masters degree to an administrator level and then to an assistant administrator level?

At the moment I feel as though I can’t justify this transition and I am pigeon-holed in basic administration. I am struggling to enter the procurement and supply chain management field which I aim to pursue as a career so was wondering if I still remain with a ‘graduate CV’ or opt for a ‘career change’ CV as it is now been quite some time since I completed my course?

Do you think I will still be eligible to apply for agraduate scheme even though I completed my course in January 2013? How would prospective employers view this?

Many thanks in advance for your help.


The thing that is sapping your employment prospects is the lack of work experience. Administration is fine, but you need something more in depth..
When you were doing your undergraduate degree did you get any work experience beforehand? If not, then there is your answer.

Where did you get your degree from? Was it accredited?

Why do people get Msc hoping they will find work? NEWSFLASH: Employers want experience not papers that only prove you can memorise an exam.


If the degree is accredited, then it is more about regurgitating overwhelming amounts of information for exam. But you do have a point.

If you have a 2:1 in undegrad you can apply for graduate schemes. But theyre very competitive and only take on the elite, so A-B in alevels, top 30 uni with a high 2:1 or first and if you make it to the interviews you have to go through tests, group assesments and endless face to face interviews to get in, so good luck with that.


The process for gradaute recruitment schemes is brtual and dehumanising, but that isn't all the job prospects that are available for graduates. You know that.

I would advice volunteering for a few months just to get experience while working admin part time, then after a year or so you can aim for some graduate jobs.


Couldn't have put it better myself. OP.. VOLUNTEER EVERYWHERE! Don't forget to network.
Reply 4
Original post by imabigboynow
Why do people get Msc hoping they will find work? NEWSFLASH: Employers want experience not papers that only prove you can memorise an exam.

If you have a 2:1 in undegrad you can apply for graduate schemes. But theyre very competitive and only take on the elite, so A-B in alevels, top 30 uni with a high 2:1 or first and if you make it to the interviews you have to go through tests, group assesments and endless face to face interviews to get in, so good luck with that.

I would advice volunteering for a few months just to get experience while working admin part time, then after a year or so you can aim for some graduate jobs.

good luck


Your first two sentences are correct.

The bit in bold is rubbish though, some grad schemes have a UCAS points requirement, but unless you're going into law or IB where you went to uni and your % score is pretty much irrelavent. The tests/interviews/assessments does the sorting once you've met the requierment of the autofilter.

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