Graduates
Getting a Graduate Job
Ideally you shouldn't wait until after you graduate to start this process. During your time studying for your degree you will hopefully have gained a range of experiences via part-time and/or summer jobs, work experience, volunteering and travelling. You may also have gained formal experiences/placements as part of your degree. It is worth putting aside some time to think about what you have to offer. Meeting with a careers adviser at univeristy may help you to take stock of where you are and how to move forward. Most universities will offer free support from the careers department for around 3 years after you graduate.
This website has lots of really useful information:
Graduate schemes 2023 | Prospects.ac.uk
If you are stuck for ideas you can search it for ideas of what you can do with your degree subject, for example:
What can I do with an English degree? | Prospects.ac.uk
And as it will remind you frequently many graduate employers will not specify that you need to have studied a specific subject. Be prepared to move from univeristy into trainee positions which will involve further study.
Milkround | Graduate Jobs, Schemes & Internships
Graduate Management Training Scheme (graduates.nhs.uk)
Latest Jobs - Investment20/20 (investment2020.org.uk)
Graduate employment and skills guide - Office for Students
Many new graduates can experience a shock when they finish formal full-time education and then struggle to get their first full-time role. If you are a graduate without much work experience try to find ways to build up this part of your CV. Really it can be about showing a prospective employer that you are willing and able to get on with the team and you won't need too much hand-holding.
Remember the first job you get is just your first step, take control of your direction, gain what you can from the role but don't be afraid to move on.
It is becoming more common to see people with masters and other postgraduate qualifications. With more graduates in the job market people are looking for ways to make themselves stand out from the crowd.
Some universities may offer discounts to their recent graduates who wish to continue with postgraduate study. It is worth finding out what may be on offer. Speak to your univeristy careers department. Check out routes to finance your studies carefully and consider whether an apprenticeship may be a way to get the same qualifications but without having to self fund.
Thought they were only for non-graduates? Think again. Graduates can take up apprenticeships. They are open to anyone of any age. Really they are a job with nationally recognised training attached. The training options are very varied.
Have a look at this ever expaning list of approved apprenticeship standards from the institute for apprenticeships:
Apprenticeship search / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
However please don't be fooled - just because it is possible to do an apprenticeship in something that does not mean there is an actual job opening available for you in the area where you live. The most important part of finding an apprenticeship is finding an employer who is willing to take you on.
Apprenticeships are on offer at a range of levels from intermediate which is roughly GCSE standard up to degree level and beyond. Don't be too fussy about where you start.
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