Let's talk about… - Oxcentric

What next after university?
The What Do Graduates Do?
survey of those completing
degrees in 2009, shows that
67.2% entered employment;
15.3% went on to further
study or training and 8.9%
were unemployed after six
months.
Of those completing
Foundation Degrees, 58.5%
entered employment; 32.8%
went on to further study
(many of those converting
to a degree) and 2.7% were
unemployed.
• In the current economic climate, new
graduates, like everyone else, are having a
tough time finding employment. A survey
of graduate employers showed they are
expecting about a third of the vacancies
they have on offer for 2011 will be filled
by undergraduates who have had previous
work experience with their organisations
such as internships, industrial placements,
vacation schemes or sponsorships.
• On the whole more employers are actively
seeking to employ graduates. In normal
years, major companies take around 20%
of each year’s leavers, with the rest being
taken on by small and medium sized
employers. However, there can be intense
competition for some opportunities.
• Although some employers recruit
graduates with specific degree subjects
these account for only about half of all
graduate opportunities. The rest will
consider graduates in any subject, who
have the necessary qualities and skills to
make a contribution to the organisation.
However, having a degree is no guarantee
of a good job – you need evidence of your
employability too.
• Research carried out by the Association
of Graduate Recruiters identified the
following as the skills valued by most
employers:
• initiative, motivation and enthusiasm
• people skills such as team-working
and communication
• flexibility and willingness to learn
• problem solving and analytical skills
• computer literacy
• business awareness.
• While at university you will develop skills
through your studies but you should
also look beyond your course for other
opportunities. These could include courses
run by the university careers service, extra
curricular activities which involve taking
on new responsibilities, work experience
and voluntary work.
• Remember, your degree may be only a
starting point in terms of learning. Many
graduates will do further study and
training after graduating.
Top Tip!
• Many graduate recruiters use
assessment centres and competency
based recruitment criteria.
• Your key skills will be carefully
assessed, irrespective of what is
written on your CV or application
form.
• To remain employable you will need
to be flexible and learn new skills
throughout your working life.
• For further information, including
examples of jobs entered by
graduates from most main subject
areas, see What Do Graduates Do?
(HECSU/AGCAS/UCAS). Also visit
M www.prospects.ac.uk/links/
wdgd
• Make use of your university careers
service – there will be a programme
of courses and presentations geared
towards helping you to develop
your skills and make decisions about
your future.
• Research published by the Higher
Education Statistics Agency showed
that just three-and-a-half years after
graduating, 81% of graduates were
working in occupations classed as
‘graduate occupations’ related to their
long term career plans.
• Some graduates choose to delay applying
for graduate jobs until after they have
completed their course, preferring to
devote their energies to achieving the best
results they can, before investigating their
job options. Others take non-graduate jobs
in order to fund travel plans.
• Some employers, who have found it
hard to attract applicants, offer financial
incentives e.g. those planning to teach
science, maths and modern languages
can apply for training bursaries. These
packages may even include paying off the
student loan.
for careers info go to M www.connexionsoxfordshire.com, then click on eCLIPS
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