Tuesday’s Guardian featured an interesting article from Sarfraz Manzoor, who has been documenting the progress made by a group of university students who graduated last year. His report highlights a number of recurring issues for the graduates: the arduous process of sending off countless applications to employers, only to receive no reply; disappointment at not finding their ‘dream’ job yet; and feeling unsure of what’s expected when sending off their CV and attending interviews.
The graduates’ experience certainly seems to correspond to recent reports in the media about the tough conditions in the job market for those just leaving education. If the statistics are to be believed, 14.9% of all graduates in the UK are currently unemployed.
For those who have just left university with a newly-minted degree certificate and a sizeable student loan ready to be paid off, the prospect of all that hard work leading to no boost to their employability can be difficult to accept. As Sarfraz’s report highlights, it can be tough for graduates to come to terms with the realities of finding a good job once their initial beginner’s enthusiasm has worn off. For many who expect to land themselves a role that is perfect for them as soon as they graduate, this can be a disheartening experience.
One of the central problems affecting the recently-graduated is a lack of solid, ‘real-life’ work experience. Their degree may prove they have the brains for a job, but without a previous employment record, companies are forced to take a gamble on whether they can apply those skills within the workplace. If another candidate comes along who can demonstrate both practical and academic capabilities, then there’s no prize for guessing who the typical employer is likely to choose.
This may seem unfair to the average graduate who is quite sure that they’re capable of performing as well behind a desk as in the exam hall. Unfortunately for them however, education is only one of the factors that determine whether an employee succeeds within their company. If pure intelligence was all that was needed to succeed in the workplace, company boardrooms would be staffed exclusively by those bearing the most luminous research background. People skills, common sense and the ability to respond appropriately and effectively to a range of situations and challenges are as crucial in the workplace as being able to read and write fluently.
Is studying for a degree a waste of time then? No – in addition to the industry-specific qualifications conferred by some degrees such as law or medicine, graduates possess a variety of skills that are useful in the workplace. These include problem-solving abilities, experience of working independently and an understanding of research techniques – all attributes that are sought after in the workplace and that can definitely strengthen a candidate’s prospects. Other equally valuable skills don’t require formal training as such: determination, enthusiasm and dedication are qualities that anyone can possess.
For graduates, undertaking an internship in the sector they hope to gain employment in can provide a valuable understanding of how workplaces operate, as well as demonstrating to potential employers that they are serious about pursuing a career within that industry. While university summer holidays present an unrivalled opportunity to laze around and take it easy, they also offer the space and time for students to enhance their CV with a period of work experience. Paid employment can offer welcome relief to bank accounts ravaged by term-time partying, but even unpaid placements offer the prospect of higher earnings in the future.
One of the other issues identified in the Guardian article is the disappointment many graduates feel at not landing their ‘dream’ job straight after university. The reality is that for many people it can take years to find a position that they are fully satisfied with. For graduates who are starting out in the world of work, the prospect of a purgatory of ‘in-between’ jobs on the way to finding their ideal role may appear frustrating. However, no job is pointless – all provide great opportunities for graduates to expand their experiences and gain a clearer insight into their strengths (and areas for improvement) as an employee.
By adopting a pragmatic approach to work and the jobseeking process (as well as a healthy dose of determination) it is possible to bring the prospect of securing that dream job a bit closer.
