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Graduate Salary Expectations VS Reality

Graduate Salary Expectations VS Reality

So graduates what did you expect to earn on graduation and what did you end up earning and in what sector? :smile:

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Reply 1

Pipsico

I expected to earn around 20k, and would have accepted £18k quite happily

Luckily I managed to secure a job that paid £25k training as an accountant in industry.
I thought I'd be living like a King, but was sadly mistaken. Expectation =/= reality. The goal posts always shift as standards rise, and I would say £30k would just about get me by. Unless of course I still lived at home with parents - in that case, I'd be laughing all the way to a Chanel bag.

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Reply 2

Bill_Gates

Original post by Pipsico

lol where are you based?

Reply 3

Matthew7

Based in London working in the city. Graduated in 2012 with a 2:1 in Philosophy from Southampton. Just started a new job earning 17k p/a which will be reviewed in a year (business journalism) and I'm very happy to get it. Sad state of affairs really but at least my job sounds better than it is.

EDIT: Living at home with parents fortunately.

Reply 4

moutonfou

Hoped for about £18,000 minimum. Would have liked £20,000. Actually started my current job on a temp basis on £12,000 (!!) but am on about £18,000 (phewwww). But I second other comments about expectations of how much x salary will buy you versus reality. I live in a northern industrial city, pay £200 rent and run a tiny car using about half a tank a week, live moderately maybe going to the cinema once a week and the pub for a few at the weekend, avoid take-out, expensive coffees, etc., and I still only break even every month. I have no idea where it goes.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 5

g_star_raw_1989

Expectations- None

Reality - £28k excluding bonuses

Industry - FMCG

Reply 6

Mike_123

Expecting 80k starting salary, no less

Reply 7

Gubey

Expected: 24K+

Reality: 30K + bonus

Industry: Telecommunications (management)

Reply 8

Bill_Gates

Original post by moutonfou

Thats a good mentality. In the long run you will be better off. :tongue:

Reply 9

daindian

Based and living in London
Expected 18-20k
Reality 23k
Industry: financial services

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 10

Quady

Original post by Bill_Gates

Graduate Salary Expectations VS Reality

So graduates what did you expect to earn on graduation and what did you end up earning and in what sector? :smile:

I expected to earn at least £27k (if I couldn't get a job on at least that I'd have done a PhD).

I got onto a public sector grad scheme starting on £27,970.

Edit
Job was in the North West, my salary expectation was on the assumption I'd end up working in the south).

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 11

Matthew7

Original post by g_star_raw_1989

Expectations- None

Reality - £28k excluding bonuses

Industry - FMCG

Original post by Gubey

Expected: 24K+

Reality: 30K + bonus

Industry: Telecommunications (management)

Original post by Quady

Which uni and degree did you guys get?

Reply 12

Quady

Original post by Matthew7

Which uni and degree did you guys get?

York, Chemistry 2.i

Although thats a pretty irrelevant question tbh, The degree only gets you past the filter. Its work experience that gets you a job.

Reply 13

Matthew7

Original post by Quady

York, Chemistry 2.i

Although thats a pretty irrelevant question tbh, The degree only gets you past the filter. Its work experience that gets you a job.

I think a STEM degree>>>>>> my philosophy degree quite a bit tbh.

What work experience did you have prior to your role? (I assume you're working in chemistry/science/tech etc.?)

Reply 14

Gubey

Original post by Matthew7

Which uni and degree did you guys get?

UCL, Classics. Finishing this year, but on track for a 1st.

Reply 15

Matthew7

Original post by Gubey

UCL, Classics. Finishing this year, but on track for a 1st.

Solid stuff fella. Which grad scheme?

Reply 16

Key123

No expectations, really. Knew I wanted to stay in the regions so didn't anticipate mega salary from the get go.

Got law conversion and LPC sponsorship worth £28k over two years, now training on an average of £26k over another two years.

Qualification job shouldn't be an issue - can expect £37k+ straight after I qualify.

1st class degree in a social science.

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