Graduated with a 1st, no job

-Ad- said:
2:2 wasn't as bad when I graduated in 2007, but these days with the lack of graduate jobs it really does seem a little worrying.
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Yep, a mate of mine just qualified with a first (BSc), went for a job in the last few weeks which he would be well placed for and the majority of candidates for the same job all had a Masters...

I got a 2:1 in july and am seriously considering the combo of freelance/part-time and studying for PG next year :)

edit: in the short term...gizza job.
 
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Sad to say it, but welcome to the recession. In this economy you kind of have to take what you can get unless you've got work experience already. Do the PhD.
 
I just found it funny, but on a serious note you should look at doing some voluntary work to build up some core skills/experience. If you are unsure of which direction to head then book yourself in to see an advisor at Next Step. Discuss/plan the options.
 
Where do all the graduate positions come from? Are there many people retiring or leaving these companies which allows the graduates to take over?
 
UK-AL05 said:
People think its awesome to have you own businesses, but in reality most micro businesses are tragic, you only hear about the good ones. I earn reasonable money for a graduate, but I probably work almost 12 hours.
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It is usually better to run your own business, as you tend to be more passionate about your own business, than a 9-5 job.

Of course, if you are not utterly passionate about your own business, then it is absolutely the wrong thing to get in to. You will certainly end up working harder, if you are working for yourself and there is a lot more stress involved.

If you are not utterly passionate about your own business, then you are almost certainly doomed to failure. No question.

Here's an example, I'm currently working on an natural language processor (AI) and a month or so ago, I was creating an algorithm which allows the AI to post messages on Twitter. Recently Twitter changed the way you post a message, so this created a huge headache. Anyway, I spent roughly 12 hours, working all night and didn't sleep, sorting out the new Twitter algorithm. I worked my day job on the Monday, got no sleep that night and then the following day started my day job at 9am. Now if you are not passionate about what you do, you simply wouldn't do something like that.

Passion for your business is one of the most important things. The moment you feel that your business is becoming a pain the backside, it is perhaps a sign that you need to get out and either think of a new business/idea or get a job.

Not everybody is suited to running their own business or being self employed.
 
nero120 said:
Not wanting to feed the troll but I graduated with a first in Computer Science 10 years ago and was unemployed for 6 months. Obviously I was applying for computing jobs but as I had no experience no one wanted me.
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A friend of mine who did combined music and media studies got a 1st, and was employed within two months on a 20k+ per year job in which he had to design and maintain websites?

He was also fully PC and C++ fluent and had made a few simple video games as well as being able to produce music in superhuman time. He told me he simply went into the interview, bragged a little about his 1st and computing skills, and they gave him the job.

Over 90% of students that got a 1st from the uni I went to went into graduate level employment or further education. The university had everything they needed to help them find such a job, even after graduating ex students could go back there for any help they needed finding a job or further education. They had lots of direct links to employers that would take on people with a 1st degree without any difficulty.
 
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sunama said:
It is usually better to run your own business, as you tend to be more passionate about your own business, than a 9-5 job.

Of course, if you are not utterly passionate about your own business, then it is absolutely the wrong thing to get in to. You will certainly end up working harder, if you are working for yourself and there is a lot more stress involved.

If you are not utterly passionate about your own business, then you are almost certainly doomed to failure. No question.

Here's an example, I'm currently working on an natural language processor (AI) and a month or so ago, I was creating an algorithm which allows the AI to post messages on Twitter. Recently Twitter changed the way you post a message, so this created a huge headache. Anyway, I spent roughly 12 hours, working all night and didn't sleep, sorting out the new Twitter algorithm. I worked my day job on the Monday, got no sleep that night and then the following day started my day job at 9am. Now if you are not passionate about what you do, you simply wouldn't do something like that.

Passion for your business is one of the most important things. The moment you feel that your business is becoming a pain the backside, it is perhaps a sign that you need to get out and either think of a new business/idea or get a job.

Not everybody is suited to running their own business or being self employed.
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I don't really have choice my friend, I much rather have a cushy bluechip job where i can actually apply for a mortgage....
 
I feel like I could do anything but the problem is if I went for a programming internship or something I'm up against people who actually did Comp Sci and programming, or if I went for a power electronics job I'm up against people who specifically did power generation, or FPGA design people who studied FPGA specifically

its really depressing
 
Rockitt5 said:
I feel like I could do anything but the problem is if I went for a programming internship or something I'm up against people who actually did Comp Sci and programming, or if I went for a power electronics job I'm up against people who specifically did power generation, or FPGA design people who studied FPGA specifically

its really depressing
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So?

It's more about potential than anything else. They are going to have to teach you the job regardless of what degree you did, as long as what you studied is vaguely relevant it doesn't matter.

None of my mates had trouble getting oil and gas jobs with a chem eng degree just because there were people out there with petroleum engineering degrees.

Stop being so pessimistic and just go for it, what have you got to loose?

Sign yourself up at http://www.grb.uk.com/ for a start.
 
ChroniC said:
I actually turned down someone with a first over someone without. It was my decision because I had been on the same course, I had experienced what the teachers considered 1st worthy (art course), and althought I knew they were very intelligent, I also knew they were very narrow minded and could only work inside the box.
Degrees are useful, experience is everything.
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Agree with this. I turned down people with superb degrees from great uni's to take the guy who had worked three jobs to get him through uni because I felt he had the better attitude.
 
The way I always saw it is that there will always be jobs for the right people no matter what the economic climate. Your degree won't job hunt for you, it's you who will have to use that degree to find a job along with your personality, attitude, confidence, etc.

I go to a university that is regarded as the worst in the region and doesn't do that well in the leagues and I've seen people with First Class degrees who stay unemployed and those with 2:1 who had jobs lined up before they even graduated. It really is up all up to you, you can expect for interviews to come pouring in just because you got a first.
 
Rockitt5 said:
I feel like I could do anything but the problem is if I went for a programming internship or something I'm up against people who actually did Comp Sci and programming, or if I went for a power electronics job I'm up against people who specifically did power generation, or FPGA design people who studied FPGA specifically

its really depressing
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:confused:

You're speaking a load of nonesense. Just apply, apply, apply. Companies aren't looking to take the majority of what you have learnt at uni to fulfill the job. They're looking (or at least should be) at how well they think you can do the position and learn new things. Stop looking at specific areas and just apply for anything that you find interesting.

You're actually the one that's being depressing because you're thinking about failing before you're even applying! Get a grip and start applying for anything you think you can do else you will be destined to go nowhere. Nobody is going to feed you stuff on a silver spoon, you have to want to do it.

Having said that you won't go far in any position if you apply the same thought processes that you're applying to job searching.


Hades said:
Agree with this. I turned down people with superb degrees from great uni's to take the guy who had worked three jobs to get him through uni because I felt he had the better attitude.
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That's reassuring to know, hopefully I come across someone who looks at a bit more than just the final grade, although I will try my best to get the best possible grade.
 
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i left uni on 16k a year - i was pretty lucky as i got into the company through regular temp work that ended up becoming a permanant position....at the same time i also had the chance to work for the police but turned it down despite how amazing it was as it was contract work and i needed the security.

im now on 26k a year and looking at a promotional opportunity to 30k in 2 months time.

I remember a lot of buzz towards the end of uni about people going to different grad schemes or people expecting a lot of cash but even 5 years ago when i left uni the market was employing graduates at around 16-18k....but its good if it gets you into the work place and gives you experience to move forward!

you have to think of the bigger picture and not just a paypacket for a year or 2 at a company.
 
I work with a guy who got a 3rd in mech eng, but managed to get a job at my old company and hes doing well. Surprisingly too hes a very good engineer.
 
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