Graduate Jobs, is it worth applying ?????

melancholly

homerhotspur wrote: »

I'm pleased to note that a few people have now understood the point I was trying to make. I honestly don't know how the exams are set for Universities. Are they moderated to be of broadly the same level? I would have to assume, however, that the very top Uni's would set tougher exams .

there are external examiners who will moderate a small proportion of results. but having been at multiple unis, what is required for good marks compared to what as part of core lectures massively varies.

i think people need to learn the most important piece of advice about life post-education. it isn't fair. there is no single equation or measure or indicator that will encapsulate all of your qualities or abilities. this means it's important to get marks as good as you can, as well as experience, as well as a positive attitude. plenty of times you'll see people getting into top schemes with no idea how that happened.

OP - if we has more of an idea of what types of jobs she's looking for, we could give more specific help. the world doesn't end with a 2:2 - it may be that there aren't as many options but that isn't to say that there are plenty of others. graduate jobs this year will be tough to come by regardless given the economic climate. also, the deadlines for most schemes will have been 6 months ago anyway!

SUPERMCNATURAL

hi al thanks for all the great posts, im gonna pass on that info today :T
a few ppl have asked what the degree is : Management with Human Resource Management (Hons)

Voyager2002

Just a couple of points:

Most graduate schemes are heavily over-subscribed. For example, for the Civil Service "Fast Stream" there could well be a thousand well-qualified candidates chasing each vacancy. So the requirement for a particular class of degree is just a blunt tool to reduce the numbers somewhat. Those who don't fall at this first hurdle still have to demonstrate life experience, work-related skills, and so forth.

However, for someone who has not yet graduated the criterion translates into the need for a reference from a tutor saying that they are likely to get the required grade. Anyone who can reasonably expect the degree class needed, and who then convinces the recruiters that they are the right person for the job, is likely to be accepted even if their actual result is worse than needed.

Alcmene

homerhotspur wrote: »

I'm pleased to note that a few people have now understood the point I was trying to make. I honestly don't know how the exams are set for Universities. Are they moderated to be of broadly the same level? I would have to assume, however, that the very top Uni's would set tougher exams .

University degree courses have to be accredited and moderated via a tough regulated process. This includes external examiners being involved, in the hopes that this helps set an equal bar across the nation's education system.

For example, a degree in Physics at Sussex University will have an external examiner appointed to it, this may be a 5 year appointment. An external examiner has to be a suitable academic from a different University. The external examiner is responsible for ensuring the quality of the teaching, assessments and also the process by which grades are allocated to students.

Hermia

Most of the organisations I have worked for are strict about the 2:1. Firstly, a lot of these schemes are aimed at potential high-fliers so they want the students who were top of the class at university. Secondly, so many people have degrees that employees need to weed out people.

If she is going to get a 2:2 she needs to make sure she has other things to add to her CV. Has she done any computer courses? Did she do the Duke of Edinburgh scheme? Any voluntary work? We took on a girl with a 2:2 last year and we never usually accept less than a 2:1. But, she had done her ECDL and a web design course whilst at university. She was also doing voluntary work as a sort of Brownie pack leader. So many of the skills she had aquired in her spare time matched up with the job description that we took her on.

wireframe_2

SUPERMCNATURAL wrote: »

hi al thanks for all the great posts, im gonna pass on that info today :T
a few ppl have asked what the degree is : Management with Human Resource Management (Hons)

Thats a 4 year course? How comes? Is it a masters?

The_One_Who

wireframe wrote: »

Thats a 4 year course? How comes? Is it a masters?

Probably in Scotland where all undergraduate honours degrees are four years long.

As for graduate schemes, these are not the be all and end all. And not all of them require a 2.1. Yes, the more popular ones will, but they need to weed out the applicants somehow. Smaller companies may be more open, and there is always the option of applying for jobs other than those on schemes.

David_Brent

SUPERMCNATURAL wrote: »

i recently posted about a family members degree, and was looking at grad positions for her today, and to my amazement if she does end up with a 2:2 honours degree, there is next to no options for her.

i find this completely crazy... i know a 2:2 is not the best, but by completing a 4yr honours degree to me that shows commitment and other qualities which im sure organisations would require, also a good wealth of work experience along the way.

i was wondering, if you recieved a 2:2, would you chance your arm and just apply for grad positions with minimum of 2:1 requirement...... surely her experience and personality would count for something??????

Sooner she gets in to a job and picks up experience the better - this will help boost her prospects when up against somone with a 2:1 or first. I would much rather employ someone with a 2:2 and experience in the field than someone with a 2:1 or first with no experience.

David_Brent

homerhotspur wrote: »

I was just about to post a similar question with a slightly different slant. My son has completed a 3 year physics degree at one of the better(top 10) universities. We think it is border line whether he will achieve a 2:1 or 2:2 degree. Our query is surely he should be considered for jobs even with a 2:2 from this Uni ahead of some of the lesser establishments where someone has obtained a 2:1 degree. This would seem even more unfair where the 2:1 degree was obtained in one of the softer subjects. To take this argument to extremes , surely a 2:2 graduate from Oxbridge would be preferred by employers than someone with a 2:1 from somewhere ranked 120th in the Times guide etc? But, as has been stated before, most of the good graduate type jobs specify a 2:1 requirement.

No thats a crazy way too look at it...your son is no better (or same standing) if he gets a 2:2, than someone studying a university 'outside of the top 10' getting a 2:1

olly300

David_Brent wrote: »

No thats a crazy way too look at it...your son is no better (or same standing) if he gets a 2:2, than someone studying a university 'outside of the top 10' getting a 2:1

Top 10 for Physics you mean.

Not only are universities ranked so are departments.

So if he was specifically applying for jobs where physics was one of the few degrees they accepted they would know what universities they would accept applicants from.

In fact companies particularly in niche industries will do everything they can to obtain students from the universities they want applicants in.

Also I wouldn't worry that much. Most graduates are employed by SMEs. If you are lucky to choose the right SME, have the right aptitude and stick with it, then you could find yourself a top manager at a large company in 10 years.