Generation Why…… ….Bother going to university
Getting a job after Uni.. ď Ž
ď Ž
After three years study and ÂŁ20000 in debt students leaving university at the moment are plunging straight into a recession that is savaging the graduate jobs market. This year a record 400,000 graduates are joining the jobs market.
Unemployment
Rose by 39,000 last month The number of people claiming unemployment benefits rose to 1.54m, total unemployment is approx 2.26m. Among the hardest hit are students and the young. In Law posts for trainee solicitors are down by 95%. What vacancies exist are being swamped by applicants. John Lewis said last week that it had 250 people chasing each of its graduate jobs, up 87% in one year.
The Higher Education Careers Service forecasts that 40,000 graduates will be unemployed six months after finishing their degrees.
Microsoft UK have closed applications for its graduate scheme about two months early after receiving 5,000 submissions for 25 vacancies.
Is there a danger of new graduates becoming a “lost generation”? And can they do something about it?
The stampede means that employers are demanding better qualifications than before, e.g. John Lewis are introducing a minimum requirement of a 2:2 degree in an effort to keep applicant numbers under control.
British students do one of two things in a recession, they get very much more focussed on getting ahead or they disengage.
The classic UK student response to a recession is “I’m off to Thailand”. But next year they will be in competition with those students just coming out. When there’s an upturn, employers want fresh graduates.
Many experts say it is better for graduates to take any job rather than hold out for an old-style graduate vacancy.
Getting any employment is better than getting none, important to get a toehold in the jobs market.
Such is the competition in the jobs market many graduates are opting to ‘top up’ degrees with extra vocational qualifications.
Even in a recession some sectors do well. After graduating with a degree in geography and management from Loughborough Azra Jennings (22) has walked into a job with a firm where she worked on a placement……… “I worked very hard while I was on my placement – long days, and weekends too when it was required, and I am delighted it has paid off, I have earned my job but I do feel lucky as well”.
What does this mean for you?
UCAS application process – its important that you get it right. Personal Statements need to make you stand out from the crowd University courses – make sure that you choose your University and degree course carefully, think about what career there will be for you at the end of it and what the competition will be like for jobs.