Expected to get a 2:2 in my degree

pinkfluffybabe

go4it wrote:

don't worry about 2:2. I got a 2:2. I think one of the reason's it's a sportsman's degree is that at Uni there are those who spend loads of time on extra stuff, like sports. I myself volunteered a lot in the Union and sat on loads of exec committes. Although if I did less of this and worked more on my degree I could have got a 2:1 but the experience I got was very valuable. University is about what you do with your time, rather than the degree. I think it's unfair that they have 2:1 as a limit for some jobs, especially if someone gets 57% average (2:2) and someone else only gets a few % more yet gets a 2:1. I understand that have loads of applications and need to get rid of some, but if you really want the job apply anyway and justify to them why they should give you an interview. Think about what you did at Uni and use that. hope this helps!

I agree fully with this. I have a 2:2 degree and it was my union sabbatical and volunteering experience paired with that to get me into the job I am in now (that I really enjoy). I am currently also doing a Masters part time at Open Uni so that I can do a PhD eventually. My employer, alongside many others, are very impressed with extra curriculars such as volunteering, and although those who cut off at 2:1 may not take you, some will value a 2:2 plus the showing of initiative and teamwork etc by getting involved while at Uni as highly as a 2:1

Stephen_Webber

I was predicted for a 2:2 at the end of my 3rd year (4yr Scottish degree). I knuckled down and got my grade average up high enough to come out with a 2:1. Don't pay too much attention to your predicted classification. Just keep your head down and keep studying. I don't see how any company can reject you purely on the basis of a predicted honours classification, there must be something else on your CV/job application which is putting them off. Try and demonstrate extra curricular activities, particularly anything team based - most employers do not want to employ a loner. People who haven't lived and spent all the time with their noses in a book are no good to employers either - they lack the life experience and still have edges which need smoothing.

Good luck!

Stephen

beaker141

Lara wrote:

beakers141 remarks are not helpful and I agree with jr666 comments.

Just because you haven't got a higher second doesn't mean you are a loser and have not tried! Perhaps beakers 141 would like to rethink this when looking to interview people.

I would be interested to know why you both find my remarks are not helpful.

What is not helpful about being honest about how I, and presumably hundreds of recruiters accross the land view a 2:2. Yes it may appear unfair - but life is unfair - redundancy is unfair but it all usually happens for a reason - corporate growth/profit.

My advice was to :-
1. Knuckle down now while there is still chance
2. Don't apply for jobs stating 2:1 min unless you might get that - this just demonstrates a lack of ability to follow clear instructions - concentrate resources on more likely applications
3. Go for smaller - less competed for jobs and get that all important work experience - which then overtakes the importance of your degree.
4. Get a professional qualification - not necessarily an Masters, but perhaps something relevant to your chosen area.

with a reassurance that the degree is a strong one, and a real example of what not to joke about at interview.

Nowhere did I mention Loser ?

elisebutt65

How many more assignments have you got left, and how many exams?

I'm in the middle of a Touriam Business degree with loads of marketing - in the middle of a live project with a real client right now (exciting).

I didn't think I was particularly bright, and with the added burden of being in my 40's with 2 young kids on my own, thought I'd be lucky to get an HND - which is what I started doing, but was advised to transfer onto the degree course as I was averaging 73's

If you really hit the books & journals, you should be able to turn this around and bring up your average - I know I'm not as far along as you but I find that reading the criticsisms on my assignments really helps as that way you can find out your weak points and really concentrate on them. Is there one particular thing you fall down on regularly?? My failing is weak conclusions but have recently been able to pull some good ones out of the hat. Is it lack of current references? Get down the library or onto Athens and get some good current material, also trade journals are excellent sources.

I think you could write an excellent, insightful report or essay but if you don't get the basics right - intro, conclusion, referencing and grammar, then your still only going to get a B at best. Even when I've done what I consider to be a bland report ( Human Resources - blehhh) I've still pulled a A- out of it as I've ticked all the boxes - IYKWIM?

Do you have graded seminars or presentations to do?? The thing with them is to be vocal and make sure you are heard.I got an A++ in all my seminars, purely because I'm a gobby cow with opinions - lol. Plus I seem to be the only one in my group who actually reads the papers - Times, Independent and Guardian - not the red tops!

Dear god I seem to be a bit full of myself, but please, anyone can always do better - don't get depressed - you can do it if you don't get sucked into not trusting yourself - don't listen to that little voice that starts saying you ca't do it and go down the pub instead. I have a little voice that tells me I'm a fraud and I'm going to get found out one day but I can overcome that by looking at my past results.

My escape velocity is a 1st at the minute, but that could easily change if I take my eye off the ball. My problem is that even if I do, who's going to give a graduate position to a 40 somethign single mum who is reluctant to even move house and can't travel more than 75 miles to work.

Hope this helps

sockospice

If all else fails, go for non-graduate level jobs. Sometimes starting at the bottom is beneficial.

talksalot81

Seeing as you are not talking about a subject which strictly needs academic excellence to make a future (lets face it, it doesnt hurt your chances the way it would were you a mathematician who wanted to be a professor!).

So work your !!!!!! off, do as well as you can and thats as good as you can do.

Oh and related, if you dont really make the effort, you will forever be saying you 'could have done better if you had worked'. This will show through unless you are very careful and it is not a good impression to give.

David_Brent

I got a 2:2 for my degree, reading through this thread its a bit sad to see a touch of snobery from people saying 2:2's aren't good enough etc. I did work hard for my degree and put everything I could into it and don't regret it one bit, as for someone saying that you must have been getting drunk all the time at univesity etc, I think thats simply idiotic. I left school with hardly any GCSE's and never dreamed that I would ever end up at university nevermind graduate. I'm proud of myself for graduating and my family is, what else matters?

In terms of finishing university with a 2:2 the best thing to do in my opinion is get straight into a job and build up a year or so of experience, then when applying for jobs even if they are asking for 2:1's don't let this put you off, you will look much more attractive to an employer having your degree and and exprience working in a job than someone simply with a 2:1 or 1st with no experience. Look at Alan Sugar, he started off working on a market stool he had the drive to suceed and look where that got him! - "You'll never fail until you stop trying"

Esmerelda

I finished university last year and it is clear that a degree alone is rarely enough to secure jobs because there are so many graduates, it is experince that makes all the difference. This is particularly the case in marketing where experience appears to be very important because it is becoming extremely competative to get into, it took my best friend a year to get her first job as a marketing assistant. Perhaps you should think of taking a year of temping or whatever to get the experience you need before you apply for a graduate marketing job. A 2:2 is not the end of the world but you will need to have other demonstrable qualities to make up for it as graduate recruiters do tend to look for 2:1s or firsts. It seems harsh to say that a 2:2 is not good enough because it really does take a lot of work to get one, but if honest the reality is that graduate employers do expect better.

lellie

go4it wrote:

don't worry about 2:2. I got a 2:2. I think one of the reason's it's a sportsman's degree is that at Uni there are those who spend loads of time on extra stuff, like sports. I myself volunteered a lot in the Union and sat on loads of exec committes. Although if I did less of this and worked more on my degree I could have got a 2:1 but the experience I got was very valuable. University is about what you do with your time, rather than the degree. I think it's unfair that they have 2:1 as a limit for some jobs, especially if someone gets 57% average (2:2) and someone else only gets a few % more yet gets a 2:1. I understand that have loads of applications and need to get rid of some, but if you really want the job apply anyway and justify to them why they should give you an interview. Think about what you did at Uni and use that. hope this helps!

See I'm the same as that but 2:1/First. I don't know if I should quit a load of my extra-curricular things to concentrate on my degree and get a first.. or if I should stick to what I'm doing now gaining work experience in web design (which I intend to do when I graduate) and working on the student paper and my part time job.. Will it be worth it to knuckle down and spend many more hours in the library to get that first class degree I should be getting. I'm currently getting a mid/high 2:1 (with pretty lax effort if i'm honest) but even with working a bit harder this year than my first year I can't seem to push my marks up to a first.. Marking baffles me as the essays I work hard on and i'm proud of I usually get about 62-65 and the ones I make no effort on at all I usually get 68-70 on.. I don't understand.

I'm currently in my second year so I've got next year to make up the average, but I really need to do as well as possible this year to give me more of a chance next year. So do I give up work and the union stuff or do I work harder on my degree? which would you think would be more beneficial?

As for the OP. You might as well work as hard as you can before the summer to see if you get that 2:1. Look for work experience.. perhaps consider standing in union elections and doing a sabbatical? Would be great experience and give you a year to apply for graduate positions and find yourself the ideal job (and if you manage to get the 2:1 then you can apply for these 2:1 minimum ones for next year - means you won't rush into a different job first and miss out..)

gems_4

realdeal1011 wrote:

I guess what is worrying me is that i've applied to three or four graduate positions which were advertised on milkround and on all of them i have been rejected because of the predicted 2:2.

I didnt want lie incase i get caught out.

Is there any suggestions where to look for jobs in my field(marketing). I've searched the usual websites- Milkround, prospect, doctor job.

I graduated in 2004 and wanted to work in marketing/advertising and as I'm sure you will have found out it's hard to get into! I finally do have a job in marketing but that is after a year and a half of applying for jobs in this field. I got a 2.2 and I completely agree with others that it's not a bad degree and should not be looked down upon. I also applied for jobs that specified a 2.1 degree and I got interviews. If you keep applying for these jobs I'm sure you will get one in the end! And whether you end up getting a 2.1 or a 2.2 you know you have worked hard and you should be proud of your accomplishment. Don't let anyone put you down.

With regard to doing a post-graduate qualification, personally I wouldn't bother. However if you are wanting to get into marketing there are specific qualifications which may improve your chances. The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) offer different types of courses, which I'm sure employers would find favourable.

Have you been getting The Guardian on Mondays for the Media Section? And don't forget to buy your local papers as they will have marketing jobs too, that's how I ended up with my job, which I love by the way!

I hope you get a job you want, and enjoy the rest of uni, don't worry it away. As they say, it's the best time of your life!