Career advice

Fusion

Fusion

Fusion

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
10,632
Location
Notts
Hey all, looking for some advice regarding my current employment situation. Last year I graduated from Exeter with a 2:2 in BSc Physics, and am having trouble getting onto a decent career path. I’d like work within a science/engineering sector where my knowledge and skills can be directly applied- companies I have applied to/would like to work for include DSTL, Sellafield, Magnox, EDF Energy, Qinetiq, Transport Research Lab, etc. Some of these positions are available to those with a 2:2, but it’s obvious that having a 2:1 degree, the “gold standard”, will open many more doors. I have experience of charity fundraising and volunteering work which many employers look for, but the strength of my degree lets things down, and my A-level results are reasonable, but not stellar (although I did get an A grade in Physics).

I’m wondering whether it will be worthwhile to go back and do a one year masters course within Physics and go full pelt at it in order to enhance my employability prospects? I currently have a generic job within retail which gives a source of income but this was only ever intended as a stop-gap solution whilst studying/looking for a career. I am also interested in the RAF and Police but vacancies are incredibly thin on the ground at the minute. I’m aware that I’m a prime candidate for teaching but I don’t feel it’s for me.

I’d appreciate any advice as it’s good to get second opinions and hear other suggestions which I may not have thought of. It seems I’m in a very big boat with lots of other graduates who are faced with the same catch-22 situation.

Thanks for reading :)
 
Isn't the end of the world tbh... everyone is young once and if you were lazy etc.. and got a 2:2 then perhaps just do a masters, put some work in this time around and get a distinction.

Tis possible to join some employers - even Goldman Sachs apparently accepts people with 2:2 though I'd guess you'd have to have a very good reason for why you ended up with one and probably a shed load of other stuff on your CV.
 
I graduated last year in BSc Geology and got a 2:1, i'm in the same boat you are. I've had two interviews in 9 months for jobs In the area I actually want but thats it.

I've already applied for one masters and hope I get it because at the moment i'm giving up hope and am starting to think I may as well just spend my life working as a shelf stacker... I would apply for more but the money situation comes into play (and i'm guessing this will be a major factor for you as well), the one I applied for has quite a few scholarships going so i'm hoping to get one of those if i'm accepted...

Without trying to worry you we also need to start worrying about the current third years. At the moment we are competing against quite a few of those that graduated the year before last but in June (and even to an extent now) we are going to have to compete with all the new graduates as well...
 
I got a 2:2 in physics, took me about 3 months to get a job. I work in online advertising now so nothing to do with Physics which I'm very happy about. I feel having a physics degree helps out in terms of the transferable/analytical skills I gained, over most people who typically do a media/advertising degree. I wouldn't restrict yourself to just physicy jobs...

If you're interested in IT at all, i'd apply to EDS... I got a job offer there and they accept 2:2s.

Centrica is another place that accept 2:2s and has energy related jobs.

Not sure doing a masters is the best approach, especially with a 2:2.

My housemate got a 2:2 in physics and did a masters (he was actually on a 2.1 if he stayed on the BSc). He luckily got a job in a hedge fund due to doing an internship there previously...but for most people, I wouldn't bother doing a masters in a field they got a 2:2 in.

I'm looking at masters courses now in business/marketing...
 
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Most large energy companies (such as centrica, although I can't find it on their site at the moment but sure I remember it from them before, BP, Shell etc) will all require masters degrees in the more technical aspects (such as geoscience and engineering) so unless you want to go into marketing or IT then you really need a masters or Phd. :)
 
No experience and an average degree mark not from what I would call a top uni = :/

I just missed out on a 2:1 but I was on a straight through MEng so it didn't really matter. You really need some experience in the sector you want to work in or something like a Masters to set you apart from all the other 2:2 Bsc drones.

Good luck.
 
If it's any consolation I'm also a last year graduate struggling to find work. I graduated with a first class honours from a Russell Group uni, had shedloads of extracurriculars and a solid year of experience and I still can't get an interview to save my life. In short, the job market is shocking and once you get a job hanging onto it for the foreseeable future is wise!

Like others have said, I'd seriously consider the MA route, as you can gloss over the 2:2 and also hide out from the job market for a year.

Regardless of how hard it is for us, at least I feel like we should have some good experience of the work world come September - I kind of think it's this year's third years that are going to really get the shaft when it comes to looking for work.
 
Cheers folks. I've done some more research and I've found that funding isn't offered for masters courses in the same way that it is for undergrad degrees, so I wouldn't be able to afford it this year anyway. I'll have a look at Centrica ArmyofHarmony :)
 
Fusion said:
Cheers folks. I've done some more research and I've found that funding isn't offered for masters courses in the same way that it is for undergrad degrees, so I wouldn't be able to afford it this year anyway. I'll have a look at Centrica ArmyofHarmony :)
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Not from the Student Loan Company no, but you should look into Career Development Loans - which are pitched towards grad study :)
 
[TW]Fox;16157694 said:
Shows how much you know about whats a decent uni then, Exeter has an excellent reputation.
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Clearly it does.

Just had a look and didn't realise Exeter was rated that highly.
 
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