search for: job vacancies and postgraduate courses More studyIn 2006, 22.8% of new graduates decided to undertake further study, either full time or alongside a job - (What do graduates do? 2007). Study options include: - an in depth study of a particular aspect of your degree subject, usually leading to a Masters degree or PhD;
- a qualification required or recommended for a particular job area, such as a teaching qualification or the Legal Practice Course (LPC);
- a course of study for a degree-level qualification in a new area but building upon the study skills you already have. Such courses exist in a range of areas, including law and psychology.
Approaching further study, including funding options, is discussed in more depth in further study. back to top Get a jobMany graduates feel that they want or need to move straight into employment. In 2006, 61.6% of graduates were in employment six months after graduation (What do graduates do? 2007). There are many reasons for this choice. You may want to: - earn money;
- gain relevant work experience;
- learn new skills;
- take the first steps on a career ladder;
- gain experience of work so you have a better understanding of the career options available.
A detailed discussion of the job market, job choice and finding vacancies is included in finding a job. back to top Voluntary workThere are a range of motivations for pursuing voluntary work. Some graduates do paid work in an area that is not their career choice to earn a living while they volunteer on a part-time basis in their chosen area to gain essential work experience. Others volunteer full time to gain work experience which will enhance their CV and increase their chance of finding paid work in their chosen career area. Examples of fields where this may be necessary include social work and some media careers. Another reason for volunteering is to put some time and energy into a cause you believe in, or to provide a service to the community and ‘put something back’, before you take on the commitment of starting out on your career. back to top Case studyAfter studying philosophy and politics at Warwick, I did a work-based Masters in Sustainable Development, which included placements in the private sector, an NGO and government. Although I had always been interested in international development, this convinced me that it was worth trying to break into the sector. I applied for so many jobs but kept finding I was under-qualified for policy work and over-qualified for admin jobs. Doing voluntary work in parliament on debt relief and in Guatemala on human rights helped to give me some experience. I applied for the civil service fast stream, hoping for a job in the Department for International Development (DIFID) but knowing that DFID take very few fast streamers each year. It was more luck and timing than anything that got me a place in DFID, but I think my voluntary work had some part to play in securing it. Kate, Department for International Development For more information see voluntary sector. back to top TravelMany graduates decide to travel after their degree because they want to enjoy new experiences and relax before they embark on a serious career search. Others may set out to develop new skills and it is certainly true that a wide range of transferable skills can be acquired from the experiences you encounter if you travel. If you are interested in exploring this option in more detail, including sources of finance and details of employment and volunteering options abroad, see gap year. back to top Time outLevels of interest in taking time out are increasing, though the so-called ‘gap year’ may cover an almost indeterminate length of time, from a few weeks to a couple of years. Many employers are positive about the skills that can be picked up when you take time out, and the maturity that is gained, but be sure to consider how you will present your activities to the best advantage on your CV. Thought often turns instinctively to ‘travel’ when people consider taking time out but, by definition, you can use time out to do whatever you choose. So your options could include: - travel;
- volunteering;
- spending time learning a new skill;
- taking a job to earn some money to save for training for the next stage of your career;
- experimenting with a variety of jobs to test the route you really want to choose for your long-term future.
Gap year has lots of useful ideas and information. back to top Self-employmentMany graduates in vocational subjects, such as dentistry or accountancy, are likely to be self-employed at some time in their career, while freelance work is an increasingly important feature for others, e.g. IT and media professions. Opportunities for self-employment increase as you acquire experience, but statistics for graduates in 2005 (the most recent available) still show that, only six months after graduation, 3.3% of those in employment were self-employed. This figure rose to over 6% for graduates with a Masters degree and was also relatively higher (almost 5%) for HNDs (Source: Graduate Market Trends, Summer, 2007). Self-employment can be an attractive option but many new enterprises fail within the first two years, so it is advisable to seek as much advice and information as possible before you set up a business. Check explore types of jobs to find out about openings for self-employment in specific professions. For more information and further links see self-employment. back to top Portfolio work‘Portfolio worker’ is a relatively new term, but portfolio workers have always existed. They are people who make a living from a range of sources rather than from one full-time job. They may have one or more part-time jobs, work on short projects or take on temporary jobs and seasonal roles, or any combination of these. They may be employed or self-employed, or both. The term is often used in conjunction with the idea of flexible working which is discussed in more detail in flexible working. back to top How do I decide?The most recent data available on what students do after graduation show that: - 72.4% of first-degree graduates who completed their courses in 2006 were in employment six months after graduation, either in the UK, overseas, or were combining employment with further study;
- 22.8% of first-degree graduates were engaged in further study or training, either in the UK, overseas, or in combination with employment. Source: What do graduates do? 2007
After considering all the options outlined above, you may find the choice bewildering and you may want to discuss the issues with a careers professional. Contact your university careers service to ask about the support and guidance they offer. You could also have a look at interactive advice and options with your subject.
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