Jobs after graduation - salaries

channy

So there's the minimum you're willing to accept, actual you want and realistic they'd give you...how long are you willing to wait to find the right job or the right pay? What are you really worth?
How do you know you're not undervaluing yourself or overvaluing yourself when seeking a job?
Undervaluing yourself could be measured by the ease of getting a job so quickly? Overvaluing yourself could be measured by the time it has taken you and still not got the job compared to your expected time you would have thought you'd be employed by?
Whilst seeking for that ideal job, are you just going to sit around and wait or do something else whilst waiting?
Would you work in a poorly paid job, knowing that it will do wonders for your cv or future?
Do you expect to earn anything near the average graduate salary?(last time I heard, it was increased to 24k for 2008). Just curious because these things go round my mind alot and I expect many others too so wondered what your thoughts were.

channy

5 years from 2003 and this new article still sounds the same.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3068443.stm

20k in 2003 = 24k in 2008....
so 12k in 03 = 14.4k in 2008

kind of makes me think what a waste of my time

cardiffforthefacup

I don't think you should be looking at the value of your degree in terms of how much money you could supposedly earn now you have graduated. You have had the opportunity to experience growing intellectually in a protected environment with plenty of encouragement to achieve your goals, you have had a great life experience and there are many thousands who would like to have been given the opportunity to even be in your position and study a subject that is enjoyable and leads to a good qualification at the end of three years. You will eventually gain employment in the field you require as more doors have been opened to you now you have a degree. Money isn't everything as you will find out as time goes on, enjoyment and fulfilment are more important when finding suitable work.

kr15snw

Well Im completely under average.

I had the choice of leaving my course after 2 years, or going on to the 3rd year. I ideally wanted to get a job after the 2nd year as I just want to be earning (plus OH was getting miffed of paying for everything....). So I applied everywhere and was told 'sorry you need 2 years experience' by over 20 different jobs (im a graphic designer). Was getting ready to go back for the 3rd year when my current job gave me an offer. I would work as a designer in the company, aswell as some other jobs I currently do. Bit of marketing, some mail order etc etc.

They needed some extra help and wanted someone with my skills around the office as they think it would come in handy, and I needed somewhere that would give me the experience.

They explained they understood I would probably run away after a few years with the experience I have gained and get a decent paying job, and they were happy to give me a great reference.

BUT, they cant pay me much. To be honest everyone is on 'not great' wages up there, but it comes with the job. We work there because we love what we do, not the money (its a football club, I love my team).

So I will be starting on 12k a year, a lot less than any other graduate. But to be honest not a single one of my friends has got a job in their industry (those doing creative degrees, as they all need EXPERIENCE).

So yeah, money aint everything!

moneymass

channy wrote: »

So there's the minimum you're willing to accept, actual you want and realistic they'd give you...how long are you willing to wait to find the right job or the right pay? What are you really worth?
How do you know you're not undervaluing yourself or overvaluing yourself when seeking a job?
Undervaluing yourself could be measured by the ease of getting a job so quickly? Overvaluing yourself could be measured by the time it has taken you and still not got the job compared to your expected time you would have thought you'd be employed by?
Whilst seeking for that ideal job, are you just going to sit around and wait or do something else whilst waiting?
Would you work in a poorly paid job, knowing that it will do wonders for your cv or future?
Do you expect to earn anything near the average graduate salary?(last time I heard, it was increased to 24k for 2008). Just curious because these things go round my mind alot and I expect many others too so wondered what your thoughts were.

(I've now graduated and got the job that I wanted at the salary that I wanted. EDIT: for numbers, I was 'expecting' (or rather, knew rough starting salary) 30k, all in, I managed to get higher. )

Some input regarding the 'worth' issue.

No employer wants to just give you a nice job with a high salary. You have to have earned it. Many, many people at uni at quite delusioned about what they'll be making once they start work. "Breeze through 4 years and this somehow entitles you to alot." :rolleyes:

When you value your own ideal salary take a good, honest, hard look at yourself and decide if you're really worth it.

To 'up' your worth for an employer make sure you get atleast one relevant work experience in your first 3 years. Depending on your industry consider voluntery work, part time throughout the year or if you can afford, try working for free/min pay. The reference at the end of it could make all the difference.

Be involved in Univeristy clubs, network in your department and prospective industry (very, very important), and get good references from other summer work. Try to win department prizes etc.

There's an obvious fundamental and that's the degree that you're actually doing. It may be a case of doing the best you can if it's too late to change or if you've graduated.

IMO if you're going to go through University then do something that's worth while, sounds harsh, but, my opinion. It's a lot of stress and debt to put upon yourself, do something that you enjoy and that there is a good market for.

My main points; most people probably over-value themselves, do whatever you can to improve including

" Would you work in a poorly paid job, knowing that it will do wonders for your cv or future?"

CV building and networking are the most important things.

polydorus

Just got my first graduate job (I'm halfway through a Master's too), £20k and I live in London. Graduated with a First from a top London uni.
It's not the ideal salary, but it's ok, and I love the company. I will progress fast, and my earnings will go up.

Having the dream job, whatever the salary, is far more important than the salary itself.

schizometric

I've just graduated in Psychology from Cardiff University. I had a year out in industry (voluntary.. was a nightmare, but paid for the summer so made up for it a bit) which boosted my CV a million times over. Without it I definitely wouldn't have the job I got just one day after getting my results

I'm aiming to be a Clinical Psychologist and graduate salaries typically start low for this career path - between 13-16k (NHS band 2/3-4). Due to my year out I'm on 19k within a decent job (experience wise) within this arena, whereas many graduates would be on a 13k a year nursing assistant salary.

I could've handled 14-16k though, that's what I was prepared to accept, but that's only because of the area. Were I going into marketing or something I'd expect more.

toastking

I am currently studying a business and management FDA and can top up to a full degree, but I am already starting to try make some contacts for potential jobs in the area where my girl lives (as I get the feeling I will be persuaded to live there after the coming year or the year after the top up).

I am going to be looking pretty short on experience despite a 2 year period as a supervisor before starting the course. Just hoping on of the companies I have sounded out will say come work for us next summer. I have also started my own business, with the aim being to see if I can make it work, not really too fussed if it makes too much money but still its trying to show that I am thinking beyond my academic studies to try and boost my CV.