If you used Clearing in 2024, how did you find it?

idk what to do after uni anymore :( advice appreciated

this is probably going to be a long post so yea

hey so, im doing a degree in software engineering, and im going into second year at Leicester university (so respected, i think? but not the best, but also not bad, i like it here :smile:

)

But, to be honest, I've kinda been having major doubts on what to do after uni..like..the degree is almost the same as CS besides like 2 modules, but i don't know if employers prefer a comp sci degree or not for roles not directly coding related, like data analytics even if I take relevant modules?

So yea, i was thinking of going into data analytics or something else related to numbers (in hindsight a maths degree may be better)? I think the main reason is all the things ive been seeing of how bad the market is and how even experienced people are having trouble getting jobs.. :frown:

and tbh that has me feeling really apprehensive because even though i like tech, if i dont get a grad / entry level job after uni im not so sure what to do?

Like, at the moment, the only work experience I've got is private tutoring..but I don't know whether this is good or not? For example, for graduate schemes or jobs I keep having a feeling that maybe ill just be overlooked because I don't have much work experience (ive done the tutoring since 6th form but its not like office work)? This got me feeling quite down recently and I feel like ive kinda thrown everything away maybe..do graduate employers want / expect you to have lots of experience? I don't even know if it'll be valued for grad schemes or jobs. However I am part of societies and play sports so thats something maybe?

Another thing I wanted to do was maybe go into finance, maybe as an accountant in audit..but idk how I'd be looked on as a graduate from a pretty unrelated degree (although im predicted a 1st), with not a lot of experience? Is there anyone here that did okay after graduating without much experience? maybe im overreacting idk..

Or hey even another thing I wanted to do was maybe start at IT or Admin in the nhs at like Band2 or something and then make my way up in the public sector? I feel like I have too many interests in a way and i feel really indecisive and anxious..because the plan i had for myself in year 12 and 13 im not sure is what i actually want to do :frown:

also another sidenote..but..if I decide to get an entry level job after Uni..do i keep my degree on my CV? I don't really think id have lots to put on my CV otherwise and idk if id be seen as "overqualified"? I feel quite scared at the possibility of not being qualified enough for graduate jobs (are they considered entry level?), but "too" qualified for like..idk basic admin work even

so yeah im just super uncertain and feel quite down atm, just wanted to vent a little or get my thoughts down somewhere, but any advice/encouragement/heck even a reality check , is super appreciated :biggrin:

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Reply 20

Al3x235

Original post by Mateusz Podeszwa

Depending on your situation, going to university can be beneficial. It might not always seem worth the money, but I'd recommend it for the expertise you'll gain and the connections universities have with businesses.
That's the main reason I chose to go. As I recently decided to go for it, I applied and got accepted 😉 That said, to get a job as a Software Engineer, you mainly need knowledge and some experience.
I was offered a job while still in college, about two? maybe more... years ago (which was crazy at the time). They appreciated my logical thinking and quick learning. So, you don't necessarily need a degree; you just need to be good at what you do.
That said, because I'm going to university, I'll leave my current position, but this will open up opportunities for me to get a better job—something more exciting and challenging.
If you're worried about not having experience, try applying to small local businesses. The pay might not be great, but they're more likely to hire you.
Over time, you'll build expertise and can move on to a better-paying job. Also, consider apprenticeships. They are a fantastic way to start without prior experience.
A friend of mine is doing an apprenticeship at a local company as a C# Developer. He's enjoying it, and although the pay isn’t high, he's earning around £11 an hour, which isn't too bad.
As I mentioned, I would recommend university, mainly for the opportunities it offers, such as work placements or studying abroad, which could give you even more than you expect. Uni is excellent for networking and finding opportunities.
While you're working or studying, keep building your projects. Never give up and document everything—it will be valuable in the long run.
I'd love to see your projects, and I’d love to try out any games you make. Just keep at it!
Build your portfolio as much as possible. You never know, one of your projects might take off, and it could turn into a profitable side hustle.
Lack of experience is an issue in every field—whether it's accounting, banking, or management—because employers value experience.
Lastly, with the rapid expansion of the tech industry, any IT degree will remain relevant. If you’d rather go into banking or data analysis, that’s great too. Do what you enjoy. Money is important, but your happiness matters more. Stay happy and take care of yourself.
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I have based this answer on few factors:

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My personal experience

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Research

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Questioning and Emailing (it is easy to get an asnwer you want just by emailing the business you want to go, or asking their employees what did they do to get a job)

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Experience of my friends and people I met but we are not friends ;> (they are working in IT related jobs)

oh wow thanks so much!!, tbh you finally gave me hope haha so thanks so much!!

i was just seeing things on reddit of how the market is so bad, but looking at it realistically..reddit is probably not the best place to be xD

and sure, ill pm you the link for the game in a bit - maybe later this week (i want to at least get a scoring system done to make it playable xD). and feel free to just get back if you want whenever you have time, no pressure 😀 .

thanks so much!!

Reply 21

Bipsy

Original post by Al3x235

Hey, so, I'm doing a degree in Software Engineering, however, ive realised as i do it that i dont really want to go into the profession that much anymore, and that i actually really enjoy helping people in any way, and something numerical, hands on etc
but the thing is, id like to work in the nhs, and atm, the only work experience ive got is tutoring and some volunteer event planning - i figured maybe i could become a porter or admin assistant or hca or something in band2, and then i could work my way up
is this reasonable, and will the fact i have a degree (that isnt related), go against me a lot for the jobs?
ive been having a bit of a rough time coming to terms with this aha, as i feel ive just wasted my life as i could have just done a health related degree first :frown:

, so any second opinions are really appreciated :smile:

Hi, you could do a nursing degree and get full funding because it is an exception degree where previous funding that you have had doesn't matter.

Reply 22

Al3x235

Original post by Bipsy

Hi, you could do a nursing degree and get full funding because it is an exception degree where previous funding that you have had doesn't matter.

hey! yeah, im considering it aha, i think id like to get some nhs experience maybe before i commit to that though :smile:

, do you think its still like "realistic" for me to get a entry level (maybe band 2/3) role and then go from there?

thanks so much!! definitely considering the nursing degree but yea :smile:

Reply 23

Bipsy

Original post by Al3x235

hey! yeah, im considering it aha, i think id like to get some nhs experience maybe before i commit to that though :smile:

, do you think its still like "realistic" for me to get a entry level (maybe band 2/3) role and then go from there?
thanks so much!! definitely considering the nursing degree but yea :smile:

Yes it is, the nhs will fund everything for you, I did 4 years in a supported living facility with people who had mental health problems and learning disability so it gave me experience so I got on the degree in learning disability nursing and social work (integrated practice ) I start a week on Monday and can't wait.

Reply 24

Al3x235

Original post by Bipsy

oh wow thanks so much for responding and giving me some hope aha, I'll look into band 2 Service desk and hca stuff as thats the areas id like to go into most i think :smile:

good luck with the degree!! 😀

Reply 25

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post by Al3x235

Hey so im doing a degree in software engineering at a midrank non RG uni, but i still enjoy it and its close to home so I do intend to finish the degree :smile:

but tbh..i dont really think i want to be coding as a job that much anymore. When i picked the degree, I had a really big interest in coding, and programming in general, but i think that is starting to die down a bit (i still like it , but not LOVE, yk?)..
also, the talk of how bad the job market is, is really sort of making me feel anxious about it, because (i guess wrongly) i've been brought up in a way that makes it feel like the degree I picked is basically what my career will be..and im not really sure how to change into an area where i have like 0 experience.
I've kind of realised that at the moment, I'd like a job that has a lot of numerical things (i did Maths Physics and Business at A Level and got ABB), and also has some job security..which based on what ive seen online doesnt really happen in swe? :frown:

I thought about accounting, and accounting grad schemes and stuff, but idk if having no relevant experience / degree will disadvantage me a lot? My experience is mostly tutoring with some volunteer event organization, and ive been part of the CS, Football, and Cricket societies in uni so i guess that can show teamwork, analytical skills etc..so have i got a decent-ish chance at this?
Heck ive even thought of non clinical roles in the nhs..probably something to do with data / health informatics..but i figure i may have to start at band2 and work my way up (which is totally fine by me)
So umm, yeah, I think my main "issue" (is it an issue?) is that ive got a lot of things that i thought about doing..so I'm a little uncertain about how i guess "bad" of a situation im in and everything like..its not the point of severely hurting my mental health but i do feel very unsure of what i want to do next atm.
thanks so much for reading, I know it's a bit of a ramble aha, if you've got any advice or encouragement thats super appreciated :biggrin:

Hey, I totally get where you're coming from, It’s not uncommon for interests to shift, especially when you're deep into a degree. What seemed like your dream path when you started may not feel the same after a couple of years, and that’s completely okay!

It sounds like you’ve got a solid foundation with your degree in software engineering, and even though you’re not as into coding as you used to be, the analytical and problem-solving skills you’ve developed are still very valuable in other fields. Transitioning into something like accounting or data-related roles makes sense given your interest in numbers and job security. Don't worry too much about not having a specific degree in accounting - plenty of grad schemes, especially in fields like accounting, are open to students from a variety of backgrounds. Your tutoring, volunteer work, and involvement in societies already show skills like teamwork, analytical thinking, and leadership, which would definitely work in your favour.

As for the job market and job security, I know there's a lot of talk about it being tough, especially in tech, but don’t let that scare you off from exploring other fields. There are always opportunities out there, especially for someone like you who's willing to be flexible and open to new directions. If you're thinking about non-clinical roles in the NHS or something data-related, that could be a fascinating path as well.

It sounds like you're just in a phase where you're figuring things out, and honestly, you're not in a bad spot at all. You’ve got options and interests in different areas - it's just about taking things step by step and seeing where your skills and passions align. Maybe look into some graduate schemes or internships in fields like finance, health informatics, or even project management, just to get a feel for what they involve. And don't forget, the careers service at your Uni could be super helpful in giving you more specific advice and helping you explore your options. At Salford, we have an amazing careers team that helps students navigate many different options, so make sure you reach out to your careers team for more help.

You're not alone in feeling uncertain, and it's actually great that you're reflecting on it now while you're still in uni. You’ve got this, and I’m sure whatever direction you choose, you’ll make it work! 😊

Good luck,
Arslan – University of Salford Student Representative

Reply 26

Al3x235

Original post by ieatfoodtocope

From what I know, a lot of band 2/3 admin roles have GCSE requirements as opposed to degree requirements, so it is definitely possible.

hey thanks for the info!

would you recommend including the degree anyway? it still has probably given me transferable skills like time management , organization, communication etc, so idk if id like automatically be seen as overqualified or something?

thanks so much!

Reply 27

Al3x235

hey , im in second year now for a software engineering degree but tbh i dont think i would like to be a software engineer anymore :frown:

is it possible for me to get a grad / entry level job in any other fields, or is this one of those degrees where im locked in to it? is the degree respected by employers at all?

i was thinking maybe start in admin in the nhs or something, is this feasible? will i be overqualified or something?

in terms of work experience, ive done tutoring and some event planning (tho the event planning was like 2021)

is this a bad / very uncommon situation to be in? pls i just need some advice / reassurance and a reality check of what else i can do with my degree

thanks!

Reply 28

Al3x235

hey, so, I'm doing a degree in software engineering but idk if i want to be in that field of work anymore (entering second year), but i figure a degree is better than not so id like to finish it i think

i was thinking of going in to maybe a band 2 or 3 role, maybe as a admin or service desk person - is this doable? i am thinking of the lower bands because i do not have much work experience or a nvq - i do some private tutoring and volunteered a bit in 2021 but that is all so :frown:

or i was thinking of becoming a hca in band 2 - tbh anything to get a start in the nhs as i just really want to have something that gives me purpose yk? idk if coding for my life will give me that

is this realistic for me / will i have an okay chance to get a job? I was having a crisis of what i want to do but after some thinking over the last few months i really think this is what id like to do, i just want to know if im wasting my time or anything :smile:

also..when applying..should i include my degree? idk if it would make me overqualified for these roles

thank you!

Reply 29

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Remaking this thread or variations upon it 5+ times is not going to change the fact that you can go into a graduate level role in the NHS with a degree in software engineering as has been repeatedly pointed out to you, and you would not need to only apply to band 2 or band 3 roles.

Reply 30

Al3x235

Original post by artful_lounger

yea i realise i look silly , im sorry ill stop now lol :smile:

thanks!

Reply 31

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by Al3x235

yea i realise i look silly , im sorry ill stop now lol :smile:

thanks!

As stated before, there are plenty of options including graduate level offerings within the NHS. Starting in a Band 2 role as an HCA when you actually want to advance to a senior role as a regional manager or something is counter productive. Unless you actually want to work as an HCA or your goal is to then reapply to a healthcare professions degree and the HCA role is a way to get relevant experience, there's no real point in doing that first.

Likewise you can go into just about any job with a degree in CS. Investment banks, accountancy firms including big 4, management consulting firms, large multinational businesses, NGOs and charities and the civil service all don't care what degree you did for generalist grad scheme roles. The CS background might be somewhat useful in certain situations but certainly won't be a detriment.

The only situation in which a degree subject may be "wrong" is if the role requires a specific background, usually from a particularly accredited course for regulatory reasons (e.g. healthcare professions, teaching, social work) or sometimes from a knowledge point of view (e.g. those jobs requiring a numerate degree such as CS, physics, maths). If you're applying for a generalist role they don't care.

Case in point, I know someone who went into a big 4 training scheme with a degree in history and politics. Those kinds of grad schemes are hiring you for your ability to learn what you need to know to do the job, not for what you already know.

data analytics?

I'm in my second year of uni and I'm thinking of going into data analyst careers too?? But idk how I'm going to do it since I'm doing chemistry. I only did volunteering during my first year and now this year I'm a mentor. So confused atm

Reply 34

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

Original post by dp05

It’s totally normal to feel confused, especially when thinking about switching paths, but don’t worry! Even though you’re studying chemistry, there’s still a solid pathway into data analysis, and many people transition into data-driven careers from a variety of backgrounds.

Here are a few steps that might help you get started:

Look for transferable skills: Chemistry requires a lot of analytical thinking, problem-solving, and data interpretation - skills that are really useful in data analysis. If you’ve done any lab work where you’ve had to analyse data, even in Excel or another basic tool, that’s already experience you can build on.

Learn the tools: Since you’re thinking of data analysis, it could be helpful to start learning tools like Excel, SQL, Python, or R. There are tons of free online resources, like courses on Coursera or Khan Academy, which are great for building a foundation in these skills.

Personal projects: Even if you don’t have a formal data analysis role yet, you can start small projects to build your portfolio. You could work on analysing open datasets (there are loads online) to show employers that you’re actively developing your skills.

Networking and mentoring: Since you’re already a mentor this year, that’s great for building soft skills like leadership and communication, which are important in data roles. You can also start connecting with people in the field. Check out LinkedIn or career events at your uni to connect with data analysts and see what kind of roles are out there.

Internships and placements: It’s never too late to look for internships or work experience in the field. Even though you're studying chemistry, some employers might appreciate the analytical skills from your degree. You could also talk to your uni’s careers service (like Salford’s) to get help with CV writing, finding placements, and even advice on the transition.

The important thing is, it’s completely possible to switch into data analytics from chemistry - it’s all about highlighting the right skills and gaining experience as you go! Don't stress too much, and take it one step at a time 😊