Posts Tagged ‘university’

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Is it really worth doing a master’s?

October 18th, 2011

When considering continuing your education beyond bachelor’s degree level, it is very important to stop, take a moment and…think.

Daunting as it may sound, it is essential to plan your future a few years down the line.  You wouldn’t impulsively buy something for thousands of pounds, so why dive head first into a master’s course?  Take the time to map out what doors your master’s will open.  If you have your heart set on a career in academia then clearly a master’s is the logical step but unless you have spent time considering how your master’s will further your career, is it really worth it?  There are plenty of graduates who view a master’s as a way to put off looking for a job while trying to improve their chances of getting a job. It is not wise to fall into this trap.

After all, undertaking a master’s is a very expensive affair. Professor Vincent Emery, vice-head of the graduate school at University College London, advises that prospective postgraduate students “need to be more focused on the advantages for them in terms of career and employment of going on to do a master’s.” A career-orientated master’s degree might be the way forward; but consider contacting people working in the relevant industry to garner their opinions before committing to one. If they suggest a further qualification will not add much to your employability then it might be time to reconsider staying in education.

Moreover, in the majority of industries Inspiring Interns works with (such as marketing, business development, advertising and digital media) our experience is that a master’s degree will not necessarily make your application stand out.  Of the graduates that began graduate internships through Inspiring Interns in the last three months, only 19.9% completed a master’s.  We have found that many employers tend to value work experience that you have garnered throughout and after university, and they are willing to take on an eager graduate ready to enter the world of work. That is not to say that a master’s will damage your application, just that it does not guarantee a place at the head of the queue of candidates.

So if you have considered all of the above, and can’t decide whether to take a master’s or not; what is the solution? We read in the business section of the Times on Sunday (16th October) of executives completing part-time MBAs in the hope of a promotion, pay rise or career move.  And although only 12% of mature students are funded by their employer, many are in a financial position that enables them to be able to afford this further education.  Studying for a master’s or business qualification may be more useful to you in later life than currently.

Clearly not everyone will find themselves in a position to be able to afford higher education in later life but our advice is do not do a master’s if it is your last resort. Consider all your options, including doing a graduate internship, before you commit to paying so much for what could be a redundant line on your CV.

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Income protection for graduates – guest blog

October 7th, 2011

This post was written by Sian Walker, one of this year’s interns taken on by Endsleigh. Sian, after studying Marketing, Advertising and Communications at the University of Gloucestershire, joined Endsleigh on a 12 month paid graduate internship within their Financial Team.

If you have been able to bag yourself a job, congratulations. 28% of graduates are still unable to find full time work even three years after they finished their degree.

Once you have made the leap into full time employment from university your priorities change and one of the next things on your list is likely to be moving away from home (if you haven’t already) and taking on fresh responsibilities. Something which is unlikely to be high on your list of concerns when starting a new job is what happens if you loose it.

No-one likes to think they will be unable to work, whether it’s redundancy, ill health or other reasons. If you are unable to continue working due to ill health, it’s unlikely you will be able to work else where either.

If you had to leave your job due to a serious illness or injury would you be able to support yourself financially? Many people will turn to savings to keep them afloat for a while. As a graduate it’s unlikely you would have amassed a great deal. Perhaps you could turn to family or friends. Would you move back home to live with your parents and face loosing your hard earned independence?

You might not be able to work from stress or even a broken leg but that doesn’t mean you need to be looked after by Mum and Dad. It might just mean you can’t afford to support yourself financially. It is always worth having a plan in place so you know what your options are should you be unable to work for whatever reason.

There are insurance policies available, such as income protection which is designed to offer you that much needed financial support should you fall ill or injure yourself. An income protection policy will pay you a percentage of your current earnings to help you meet your monthly bills and avoiding having to move back to live with Mum and Dad.

It’s always best to speak to an independent financial adviser who can search the market on your behalf. They look for the most competitive policy for your circumstances.

Endsleigh Independent Financial Services is a subsidiary of student insurers Endsleigh who more than likely provided your student possessions insurance when you were at university.

Endsleigh’s Financial Advice Team are not tied to any one provider and advise their clients based on their individual circumstances. They offer all the financial products you are likely to need at some point or another during your changing lifestyle after university. Whether you are saving for a mortgage, buying your first house, protecting your income or planning your retirement, their financial advisers can give you advice, over the telephone at a time to suit you.

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New graduates have a lot to offer

October 5th, 2011

As a graduate going into an oversubscribed job market it is hard to see how you will compete with people who have far more industry experience than you. Obviously, don’t overlook the importance of gaining that experience but also think of what qualities you can offer a company that an industry veteran cannot. Just consider what sets you apart from someone who has 10+ years of experience and you will actually find that you are extremely marketable.

You need to be confident in yourself and your application and not overlook the qualities you have that can set you apart from the competition. So here are some points to remember:

You have ambition and eagerness to learn.

As a graduate you are energetic, motivated and eager to learn. A lot graduates are looking to “climb up the ladder” in a company, rather than working simply as a means to an end. This is extremely attractive to potential employers.

You are more at home with the latest technology trends.

Technology is crucial to any business and every employee has to have a certain extent of technical know-how. However, we are the first generation who have grown up with technology and practiced it just about every day. With the growing digital sector and importance of social media; employers understand the importance of technology in developing business and take it very seriously. Don’t take for granted your ability to use and keep up with the latest technology trends, it isn’t easy for everyone.

You are a quick learner with fresh knowledge from university.

Any prior education is very important in the workplace and as a recent graduate all of the latest business practices and theories will be fresh in your mind, which is something not everyone can say. This will allow you to pick things up very quickly in industry, something highly valued by employers.

You have innovative new ideas.

As a young graduate you will bring a new outlook and fresh ideas to improve the efficiency or success of a company – employers value that!

It is not easy leaving university and facing the current graduate job market but being young does bring its advantages in the business world.  If you have confidence in your own ability and qualities that set you apart then you will be sure to impress potential employers.

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Off into the world – guest blog

September 28th, 2011

Guest post written by MA Literary Studies graduate, Laura Blake.

So I’ve just completed my MA dissertation. A long, hard year spent buried in the library and forgoing Saturday nights have (hopefully) paid off, and in less than a weeks’ time I’ll be leaving university for good and taking my first steps out into the big wide world, armed with nothing more than my degree and my CV. Oh help.

Of course, I’ve also got the knowledge that I’d do a really, really good job in my chosen field. The trouble now is convincing other people of that fact! I’d love to work in magazine publication or book publishing, so my task is to figure out how I am going to stand out, get my foot in the door and get my hands on a job. But where to start?

Experience is one of the most important tools you can have. As I’ve known that this is what I’ve wanted to do for awhile now, I tried to be crafty and joined my university’s student magazine way back in my first freshers’ week. Unfortunately I got slightly distracted (for the entire year) and didn’t attend a single meeting, let alone write anything. In second year though, I really made it a commitment to it, and eventually ran for, and won the position of Features Editor. So at least I knew, albeit on a small scale, what I was getting myself in for (picture many late nights in the editing room trying to get to grips with Quark software;it wasn’t pretty) and could decide if it was something I was committed to as a career. It was.

Since then, I’ve been trying to grab any kind of experience possible to boost my CV, because after all, every little helps. I blog, I’ve joined LinkedIn; why, I even joined Twitter, because if it’s going to help me network, then I’d be stupid not to. You’ve got to put yourself out there as much as possible; head hunters won’t find you if you’re invisible.

Everybody says there aren’t enough jobs to go around, and I know that job hunting can be stressful, but luckily there is a God out there and someone decided to put together a site such as this one.I discovered Inspiring Interns a few weeks ago and I already feel better knowing that these guys are rooting for me and offering as much help as they can. They understand that many companies nowadays want candidates who have a good bank of work experience under their belts and you can never have too much experience. And what’s better than having an internship on your CV? A graduate internship is perfect opportunity to show case your talents, learn new skills, and hopefully, impress the right people, as well as giving you a realistic taste of the working world. I’ve already got a list of their vacancies that I’m going to apply for, all that’s left do now is wait and see… it’s a tricky business, but I’m sure that if I’m persistent, it’ll pay off.

Have a look at Laura’s blog here http://laurathegraduate.blogspot.com/

If you are interested in writing for Inspiring Interns then please email us at marketing@inspiringinterns.com

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It’s not all doom and gloom for grads

June 29th, 2011

The average number of graduates applying to each vacancy has risen to 83 – up from 31 just three years ago, it was reported yesterday.

The headline figure from the bi-annual Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) report makes grim reading for those poised to leave university. The number of CVs sent in for each vacancy is now the highest on record so job prospects look slim for the class of 2011. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for university leavers.

The AGR report gives a skewed picture of the graduate job market with too great an emphasis on big business. The statistics do not reflect the positive developments within SME recruitment and small firms which often have far less competition for positions and graduates are far more likely to succeed with speculative applications.  Although they may not provide a marquee name for your CV, often these roles provide far greater responsibility and better prospects for young jobseekers.

Students are often drawn to the ‘big boys’ on the milkround, who advertise heavily with university careers services and can offer eye-catching starting salaries. For many graduates, however, starting with a smaller company is often a more rewarding move. Better work-life balance, improved job satisfaction and swift progression up the career ladder are the sorts of benefits many employees find working within small business can bring.

So don’t let negative media dishearten you and stay positive about your job hunt. There are plenty of opportunities out there if you look in the right places, graduate schemes do not start and end with the big multi-nationals. Focusing on smaller companies and completing a graduate internship could be the key to unlocking your career.

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Itchy feet, itchy feet! – guest blog

June 14th, 2011

I graduated a while back now…in fact I can hardly believe that it will have been two years this summer which is already more than half the time I spent studying in the first place! So what have I been doing during all of this intervening period of no ‘real job’ and ‘no studying’?  Well I spent six months doing something which I would recommend to anyone and everyone who is about to graduate; go travelling.

In the summer of 2009, we were in the height of recession and the future really was looking bleak for those of us about to enter the big, scary, real world.  For me, it presented the perfect opportunity; the chance to travel the world and see something outside my own horizons.  In the months leading up to graduation, it was becoming more and more apparent that things weren’t going to get better anytime soon and so the plan to take off was borne.

It took a while to get there and a great deal of work but by May 2010 I was ready to set off on my big adventure.  In order to get there I slaved away in retail working full time in a management team for a clothes shop and also in a supermarket.  On top of this, I took on two GCSE English students to help bring in some cash to live off of.  On an average week, I’d clock up 65 hours of working (plus at least another 8 travelling) but at the end of the tunnel, the brightest light was shining and I had no doubt that it would be worth it.

In hindsight, this hard work was part of the joy of the experience and has also added greatly to my CV; at least I show I’ve got stamina and dedication to achieve!  I am a bit of a workaholic but that is rather another story.

So finally, with enough money in the savings and flights all paid for, I was off on my trip of a lifetime.  My route went like this:

London – Los Angeles – Las Vegas – Fiji – New Zealand – Sydney – Singapore – Malaysia – Malaysian Borneo – Thailand – Cambodia – Vietnam – Hong Kong – Japan – Korea – China – India

Phew!  Writing it all down like that makes me feel tired just thinking about it.  So perhaps it is time that I got to the point of this post.

I could sit here and go on for hours about why I think that everyone should travel when they finish university.  But here is the general gist of why if you are umming and ahhing about what to do next, then this could be an option.

If you aren’t sure what you want to do with your life, travelling can buy you some time.  It gives you the opportunity to be free and to get to know yourself better and hopefully along that way you will discover something that you will love and want to turn into a career.

If you are scared about joining the ‘real world’, then again travelling will buy you some time and allow you to gain some different experiences.

Working beforehand in order to save up to go away, feels really good!  When you’ve got that little nest egg in the bank, you genuinely feel proud.  Personally, I think it was one of the best things I have ever managed to achieve and yeah I could have put a down-payment on a house…but this way I had much more fun!

If you choose to work while you travel, you will grow as a person as you have to experience everything from way beyond your natural comfort zone.  Especially if you choose to work in a country where English is not the main language…

…which leads me onto another point.  If you were to go out and volunteer (and I am not necessarily saying pay to go on one of those overpriced volunteering trip things…organise it yourself through a charity) then that will look great on your CV.

You will learn so much more than you ever thought possible.  You will learn about yourself, about other cultures, languages, people…I learnt more in six months travelling than I did in three years studying my degree.

It will change you…more than likely for the better.

And my advice not to do?

Don’t just go away and get drunk for your whole trip.  There is so much more to do than that.  If you are going to travel, ensure you have something worthwhile to discuss with a future employer.  Make the trip work towards your employability and don’t make it work against you.

As for me…I’ve well and truly got itchy feet.  Bring on the Euro Road Trip this summer!

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The alternative to graduate schemes 2011

June 7th, 2011

Graduate schemes are highly desirable for many university leavers and there are plenty of benefits if you are accepted onto one. However, with record number of applications for graduate jobs and only a low percentage of graduates managing to secure a position, competition for these schemes is high. Getting onto one of these schemes is extremely demanding, often requiring a 2:1 degree and willingness to relocate. Therefore, it is worth remembering that there are alternative paths for graduates that offer the same quality jobs.

The SME

Often graduates look straight to the large global companies and discount the experience they can gain at smaller enterprises. SMEs have a lot to offer the current economy and are becoming an increasingly valuable option for university leavers who struggle to compete for the coveted schemes at major multinationals. They can offer better on-the-job training, invaluable hands-on experience and a more personal approach to further your career.

The internship

A graduate internship can offer great practical experience and provide valuable skills and a network of contacts to increase a graduate’s understanding of an industry. Any extras on your CV which help you stand out amongst the thousands of students leaving university this summer will be a major bonus in a tough graduate job market. Many companies use the internship period as an interviewing process to better evaluate applicants before committing to employing them.

The business venture

In the current economic climate starting your own business has become a viable option for creative and motivated university leavers bursting with fresh ideas. The government and universities can offer help and funding to graduates looking to set up a business.

The ‘in-between job’

If you have had a job during university then it is a good idea to hold on to it when you graduate. Any experience looks good on your CV, it will give you some income and also time to apply for jobs in your chosen industry. You also don’t know where it could lead.

Although graduate schemes are easier to track down and are more widely advertised during your time at university it is important to remember there are so many other options out there. Keep your eyes peeled and your mind open!

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Part two: how employable are you? – guest blog

May 31st, 2011

By Janet Davies, editor of mygraduatecareer.com and myexecutivecareer.com.

Part two discusses further advice on how to improve your employability skills to boost your chances in a tough graduate job market.

IT literacy: It hardly needs to be said that being able to use some kind of word processing or spreadsheet programme and the internet is a given these days. However, if you have expert knowledge of particular programming languages or techniques, specialist software packages and skills in forms of media that are important to the role that you applying for, make sure that these are clearly outlined in your application.

Self-management: Management structures in most organisations are pretty lean these days – employers are looking for people who can manage their time and priorities effectively, who can take as well as give direction and feedback and who don’t need micro-managing. Being late for your interview, admitting that you hardly ever turned up for lectures or handed in coursework on time, or not being able to manage an assessment centre exercise designed to test your organisational skills, will all serve to undermine your perceived ability to manage yourself. When employers are handing out salaries, they expect to get an effective return on that investment so remember to make a good impression right from the beginning of the selection process. Besides, you’ll probably have to work quite long hours – being badly organised at work and taking longer than necessary to complete a task means less time for you to socialise and actually have a life as well!

Commercial awareness: Employers want to know that you are genuinely interested in their sector, the challenges it faces and the culture and customer ethos they need to adopt to achieve their objectives. If, for example, you are applying to work in management consultancy, they will expect that you understand current affairs, that you’ve bothered to read the customer publications on their website and done some background research. If you want to go into the Civil Service, interviewers may quite rightfully expect you to have an appreciation of who the leading figures in the Government of the day are, what the impact of the budget deficit is on public services and current affairs. Make some time to keep up with the outside world not just what is going on Facebook or YouTube.

Additional skills: Can you speak another language? Can you drive? Do you have any other skill, experience, achievement or contacts that will give you the edge when recruiters are sifting through hundreds of CVs?  Use them wisely – every little detail could mean the difference between you being at the top or the bottom of the recruiter’s list.

Your disposition: Employers like enthusiastic, motivated, driven, dedicated applicants who  know how to show initiative and may be capable of becoming the future leaders and wealth creators in their organisations. It’s the ‘X Factor’ that makes one candidate a winner and another an also-ran. They want to like you and they spend a lot of effort in their employer brand and values work to make sure you’ll like them. That’s the personal part for which there is no test, no exam and no guarantee. Still, it’s not all one way. Learn to smile at interviews but also trust your instincts – if you don’t like anyone you meet during the interview process and you don’t get a good vibe about the place, be very careful before you agree to work there!

Work experience: If you haven’t so much as served a pint in a bar or had some basic experience of work, you are at a serious disadvantage in the selection process. If you’ve had an internship or a work experience placement, you’ll have serious advantage. Internships and part-time jobs aren’t always easy to come by, but get some experience you must. Inspiring Interns can help you do just that!

If you would be interested in writing for our blog please email us – marketing@inspiringinterns.com

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Students want universities to provide employability skills

May 16th, 2011

Universities need to do more to prepare students for life as a graduate, it was reported today.

According to a survey conducted by the CBI and National Union of Students, more than half of students want their university to provide more help for them to understand employability skills.

The survey of 2,614 students showed that 57% want universities to better explain employability skills, including customer awareness, team working and self management. A further 66% would like to be provided with support from their university in developing these skills.

These findings follow last week’s publication of the 2011 CBI / EDI Education & Skills Survey which showed that 82% of businesses single out employability skills as the most important consideration when hiring graduates.  The survey found that 70% of employers believe that students need to do more to prepare themselves for the workplace and make the most of what is available to them at university through societies, internships and volunteering.

With the forthcoming rise in tuition fees the pressure will be on institutions to show how their course can help students achieve a return on their investment by securing graduate jobs. The CBI wants all universities to embed the teaching of employability skills into course structures.

Susan Anderson, CBI Director for Education & Skills, said “Employability skills are the most important attributes that businesses look for in new recruits but graduates are currently falling short of employers’ expectations.

“Competition for jobs is intense and graduate unemployment remains high, so students need to proactively develop relevant employability skills. But at the same time all universities need to explain these skills better and make sure they embed them in teaching.”

Another means to improve your job opportunities post-university is to undertake a graduate internship. This will provide valuable work experience and employability skills, boosting job prospects and industry contacts to enrich your CV.

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Graduates are working in low-skill jobs

May 12th, 2011

University leavers are increasingly taking menial jobs that do not require a degree, it was reported today.

New statistics published by the Association of Accounting Technicians reveals that 40% of last year’s graduates are ‘underemployed’ in lower-skilled jobs six months after leaving university. This figure has risen from 30% in 2007.

Graduates have been among the worst hit by the economic downturn with research forecasting a deteriorating jobs market for graduates who will leave university this summer. The study predicts that the figures will rise to 42% of this year’s graduates working in low-skill jobs where a degree is not required, six months after graduating.

With the tuition fees set to soar, this raises the question of whether a university degree is worth the financial investment. Jane Scott Paul, chief executive at the Association of Accounting Technicians who commissioned the study says; “If we are asking people to invest £9,000-a-year on tuition fees, they should expect a credible return on that investment. Yet over half the graduates are nowhere near benefitting from their degree and the situation is set to get worse.” Therefore those considering the option of university need to think more carefully about job prospects and employability skills post-university.

The study shows graduates of law, history and philosophy are the most likely to be “underemployed”. However, graduates in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science are more likely to be in graduate employment.

With high competition for graduate jobs the alternative choice for university leavers is to find a graduate internship. Rather than taking a menial, low-skilled job that the candidate is over qualified for, an internship can bridge the gap between university and a graduate job. A good graduate internship can provide valuable work experience, key skills and the potential to build up a network of contacts.

Do you take whatever you can to start earning money, whether this is a supermarket job or call centre with no career prospects? Or do you gain experience and contacts through a graduate internship, progressing to a full-time permanent role?

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