Getting a job as a student or graduate has never been easy, but in recent years it seems to be harder than ever.
As many students start to reach the end of their university adventure. One thing runs around all minds. What job will I go into after all this?
For some, getting a job is the last thing on their minds. After all the vigorous work over the years, a well-deserved break is necessary before diving deep into the world of work.
Although looking for a job is crucial, it is not always easy. Many recent graduates have admitted that they struggled to secure a job. Including one related to their degree, immediately after university.
A graduate’s experience
I was told I was overqualified because I have so much experience in the job I went straight into after uni […] but it’s not necessarily like I’m overqualified because of my degree, I’m overqualified because of my experience.”
Olivia Bowler
Olivia currently works for NHS recruitment and is very happy with her workplace. She applied for the role and, luckily, was successful. She had many interviews, which helped her meet the team and get a feel for the offices.
Interviews may seem scary, but they are great to have. It can help you decide if the place is right for you as well as getting to know the people there. It is important to pick a job that you enjoy.
Although graduating from Oxford Brookes University, Olivia Bowler, a 23-year-old from Oxford, said that she had faced many struggles throughout university when looking into different job roles.
She admitted that her degree in Philosophy and Ethics was perhaps not the right route to go down even though she loved it.
Before going to university, Olivia was advised by all her teachers to “pick a subject that [she] enjoyed because it is better than picking a subject for the sake of it.” Which, in hindsight that sounds like great advice, as university is 3, sometimes 4 years of someone’s life spent studying one subject.
Different majors and the job ladder
Olivia is happy with her decision and wouldn’t change it, but she does wonder if she “chose a degree that sends [her] straight into a job like a paramedic”
With courses that lead into the medical field, it can be easier to enter the workforce as soon as you finish university. In the past years, it is said that 82% of people get a job after graduating in science subjects. However, only 60% of graduates in 2022/2023 got a job in general according to the Office for National Statistics.
Which is lower than in the past years. Showing that over the years the rate of employment for graduates has gone down and gotten harder.
Many past students took on non-graduate jobs in retail, hospitality, call centers, and other jobs just to keep money coming in.
When doing a degree such as teaching, medical sciences and policing, it can be a little easier to get into a job. As many remain in the same area where they did their placement hours in. For example, Olivia had a friend that studied paramedic science and “continued working in the hospital where she did her work experience.”
This does not mean that if you do a different course, it will be impossible for you. Students in other courses have also managed to find a way onto the job market through their placement or from the experience they have gained.
There are many ways to get into the job of you dreams, and no dream is too big.
Other students
However, Olivia said that some of her friends, who have studied similar subjects to hers, have gone back to the jobs they had before. This is because they could not get into the jobs they wanted quickly.
Some struggled for months even though they applied for jobs incredibly early on in their last year. With many being told that they are not experienced enough to work there or that they are not flexible enough as students.
Finding a job whilst in university can also be difficult because of this. Many employers understandably look for people who will only be able to work instead of being a full-time student as well.
Although there are many jobs you can do during your studies.
As of this, many other students and graduates go to work in previous workplaces or other jobs that sometimes do not even link to their degree. But you can gain loads of experience from many jobs, such as your communication skills, punctuality and teamwork.
These are all essential for any workplace.
It is important to remember that there is no shame in going back to any job as nowadays it is necessary to work. It does not mean you will not find the job you want.
How universities can help
Olivia said, “At my university, we had many career fairs. Employers would show what job opportunities were on the market and tell us where to apply.”
When in your final year, nearly every university tries to support students by giving them a career guide. Their role is to find out what you are interested in and aid you in getting there.
“This was helpful to some of my friends, but I felt that they did not have many careers that linked to my course.”
Olivia unfortunately did not believe that she had the support that others got. She said that she thinks that her university “felt that a careers fair was enough and did not have many stalls for all the courses on the campus.”
She wishes that her university was able to do more to help, but still enjoyed her time there regardless. Olivia is very happy in her current job.
With many roles, it is crucial to get work experience and placements. This can not only help you seem more qualified it also gives you an idea of what your idea of a dream job will be like.
Personal experience
As I am in my final year of university, I’ve learned about the struggles some have faced due to a lack of experience. I have tried to gain experience in the places I want to improve and to also work in. This is so I have a wider portfolio for future employers.
Throughout my last year, all my lecturers at The University of Gloucestershire have been checking that everyone has at least a slight idea of what career they want to get into. As well as ensuring them that it is okay if they are still unsure of what they want to do. As it is still early days.
Nearly no one stays in the job they started in. This can be for many reasons: not their idea of what the job was going to be, finding other roles that fit better for them, and so on.
I have been told to apply early, as a mistake many make is applying after they graduate and getting overwhelmed and stressed. There is no rush to employment, as when you apply, you want it to be well thought through, so you can show the best version of you.
My top tips
Here’s my pro tips:
- Say yes to everything. Take all the opportunities that come your way, even if you are not sure it is what you want to go into. As you may surprise yourself. I know I have.
- Try to get as much work experience as possible and do not leave it until the final year. Doing even a couple of hours of work experience throughout all 3 or 4 years of university will add up over time to create an amazing resume. I wish I had started mine earlier as I must admit it can get stressful trying to do it on top of my work.
- Make as many connections as you can. Finding people in similar lines of work as you would like to get into is beneficial. You do not need to contact them as soon as you get it. You can wait until you have built yourself up a good resume to show off to them in the future/ when you are ready.
This helped me find work opportunities, even if they are just temporary. Any work experience is crucial to improve all of your skills.
Things to note
Sometimes getting a job can seem daunting, especially if you are unsure of what you want to get into, but you will find what you want in time.
Take things at your own pace and never rush things, apply when you are ready and not just because others are.
When looking for jobs after university, it is important not to worry. If you do not get one straight away and return to a completely different job, it is normal. Many do it, and it is not a setback. Keep doing what you are doing. Apply for everything you want.
Never tell yourself the job is too difficult or that you can not do it. You never know until you try.
Be confident and proud of what you know and can do. Show the best parts of you because that will shine more than what you are less confident in.
