It's sad to see there are so many graduates today - who have gradutated from well reputable universities but cannot find employment
These youngsters are not be to mistaken with those people who do not want to work and only want a handout from the government. These are those who are willing to work either in employment or in business but are looking to be given a chance but nothing............... This is the sad reality of today
It's sad, but sometimes people need to take some responsibility for themselves. It's been a long time since people have been able to rely on having a degree to get on in life. Unfortunately a lot of the time you need to make your own chances, there doesn't seem to be that many people waiting to hand them out.
It's not that I don't feel for them, but they must realise a degree is not going to open doors alone.
From experience, taking on graduates is no guarantee of quality.
It certainly didn't help that the last government regarded people going to Uni as keeping them off the unemployment statistics for a while resulting in a market eventually flooded with graduates, quite often for subjects that wouldn't get you a job cleaning the toilets in McDonalds.
Combine that with an expectation that a degree was a licence to a better lifestyle where unless an expected level of income was offered immediately then graduates were more willing to wait for the right opportunity that may never transpire to a lesser opportunity now.
That said, now looking at the other side of the coin. There are a lot of very high quality graduates who are slipping through the net in the same way that there are a lot of very good people for every job not picked up purely because employers and agents are inundated with unsuitable candidates for roles.
Another factor for the equation is that employers often regard it as more cost effective to outsource positions that would traditionally have gone to graduates and combine that with the culture of sueing one's employer for the slightest (and often fabricated) infringement and it is hardly surprising that some employers are prefering to hire Eastern europeans over indiginous employees.
Another fundamental issue is that it is too easy to get to University because exams are no longer anywhere near as difficult as they once were so there are just too many graduates.
Bleeding students dry as seems to be the current thinking will return UK universities to more elitist institutions but that will not improve the quality of graduates, only restrict their numbers a little which I'm affraid to say that I have been party to a conversation where it was suggested that "At least these Fee's will get rid of the Oiks!".
I fall into the category of believing that Univesity should be completely free but it should be much more difficult to get in and all of the new subjects brought in to make degree's available to everyone no matter what your mental capacity should be scrapped (Gender studies! I ask you!!! That's something you do after lectures not during them.... And don't even get me onto sports science degree's). We don't need people who can afford Uni, we need people who deserve it!
And back to the original point about this being from experience.
I've lost count of the CV's that have hit the big round filing cabinet under my desk because :
a) The candidates have no idea how to write a CV
b) The covering letter is generic and where not I've often found it mentions the wrong company in there
c) The degree's are easy one's. As an employer I want to see History, Law, Maths and Sciences. If you have another degree as well great but I want to see one of the classics in there.
d) When you get to talk to the graduates often they are not prepared and lack the get up and go that I'm looking for.
The above aside I have taken on some excellent graduates (and some excellent school leavers). The main point is though that merely having a degree means absolutely didly squat. It's what the degree is in combination with the attitude and aptitude of the applicant that matters.
Well, that's my two penneth. It's late so no doubt I'll think of more to add to that tomorrow,
talk soon,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
My CV Writing skills are dire. My interview skills and techniques are non existent, my problem being, i treat everyone as a big bag of jolly fun. This includes people from 'all levels'. I was asked in an interview " how would you feel, if i asked you to pass on a message to the MD"
What was this MD? was it gigantic? was it a man eater? i was baffled, and truly worried but i wanted a crack at the job. I thought 'i need to bring my pointy stick for this task'
Actually i replied 'not a problem, although i have respect for people, from those trying to make a better life for themselves to those that have achieved a great deal, people are just people. I don't find them scary and wouldn't mind passing on your message'
I would however give a pound of flesh as well as a full working week and then some. I just need to transfer this across in interview.
Anyway lucky for me, the AAT have invited me to my first Webinar tonight at 7:30 , covering CV writing techniques and Interview techniques. I think the Webinar is being given by someone high up at HAYS.
Education reform is a biggie. I fully believe that education at secondary school and degree level needs reforming. Educate people academically that want and are capable of being educated. I've read many examples of obviously intelligent people who have been held back in secondary schools, purely by being in class fulls of kids that don't care for the subject, and are generally unruly because of this. Why not at option time can they send non-academical kids to go and learn a trade and leave the obvious academicals to learn in a better environment.
Universities need a stricter entry policy, they also need a better examination policy, possibly bringing back oral exams to back up dissertations.
The government could also do with introducing mandatory checks by employers on any certificates of education handed to them. As it stands, if I went for a job with the civil service I could simply fake my qualificatios and all they would do is photocopy them, that would then be it. The government could also do with checking all the dodgy colleges that there seem to be, that for a fee will give you a degree in business management and accountancy after just 2 weeks study
Kaplan need to start checking who is coming to sit exams for one, 5 exams in and not once has anyone checked who I claim to be.
It go's on and on, the point is as said above that graduates aren't what they used to be and the value of a degree needs addressing.
I agree steved the value of the degree needs addressing. Also its what shaun says its the Degree, attitude and personality that will get you the job! Some people are just dull and not very good communicating, I think they should teach vital communication skills at school.
I agree steved the value of the degree needs addressing. Also its what shaun says its the Degree, attitude and personality that will get you the job! Some people are just dull and not very good communicating, I think they should teach vital communication skills at school.
