Advice Post-Graduation

I'm in my final year of economics at Royal Holloway. I don't have any work experience or internships because I never thought about it or had any idea what I might want to do. I started to look at what I might consider doing, and I've been looking at accounting, specifically audit graduate roles. I've only applied to two of those, the vast majority have been taken already, but given my lack of experience, I'm not completely confident I'll get a grad scheme, so I thought I should have a backup plan.

I was thinking I can apply for next year's audit grad schemes like Big4 and mid-tier firms, they don't have a problem hiring recent grads, but I'd need some sort of experience. It isn't much but some virtual insight schemes and hopefully a proper job would help, so that by the time applications open in a few months my CV looks a bit better.

Is this a sound plan or am I delusional?
Advice on what roles I should seek out for experience, or if there's anything else I'm missing, would be appreciated.

Reply 1

USW Social Team

Here's a few tips for you:

Look for internship opportunities in financial institutions, government agencies, economic consulting firms, or multinational corporations. Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, or specialized platforms in your region (e.g., Handshake for US-based students) often list internship roles.

Join freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer. You can offer services such as economic analysis, financial modeling, or writing reports. You might also reach out directly to small businesses or startups that may not have in-house economists but could use help with data analysis or market insights.

Look for volunteer opportunities at non-profits, social enterprises, or local government projects. Websites like Idealist or VolunteerMatch can help you find opportunities, especially ones related to economics.

Contact professors or research centers in your field of interest (e.g., macroeconomics, development economics, environmental economics) and inquire about assistant positions. You might also check job boards on your university’s career website.

Look for graduate schemes in finance, consulting, or government. Examples include the Citi Graduate Program or Deloitte Graduate Scheme. These are usually competitive, so be prepared with a strong CV and application.

Reach out to professionals on LinkedIn or through your personal network to ask about shadowing or informational interviews. Many people are open to offering advice to recent graduates.