2:2 degree... where now?

33pelter

Hi everyone, looking for a few people with experience in this sort of thing but basically I'm nearing the end of my Economics degree in a very good university and am almost guaranteed a 2:2 as unfortunately my marks from last year aren't very good but this years are great. Where do I go from here?
I am applying for alot of graduate jobs but they're all requiring 2:1 so I'm just hoping I can prove myself somewhere as my school results were exceptional. Any ideas or advice?

dmg24

There are plenty of non graduate jobs that you could apply for. I would not place a lot of hope on getting a graduate job, most are so oversubscribed that they automatically discard all non 2.1's.

soupdragon10

What kind of work had you hoped to do following your degree? Which area of commerce or industry had you planned to focus on? It may be that there are roles within these sectors that you can go into at a non graduate level and prove yourself.

attila_

I dont usually reply to these just read, but i like ur sig:-)


Had a couple of good friends from very good university got 2.2 and now work for rolls royce and similar engineering companies. Though u'll start with a lesser known company then move onto that...dont just be a sheep and follow the crowd to the likes of kpmg or pwc....be a bit more creative.

Its quite intetesting but i realise what sticks in ure career is where u went not what u got. I've been in many meetings and networkings where the name of the uni (if its good) is a great conversation goer and people remember this.

Its tough at the mo of course due to the financial climate...But then again its tough for all.

Get ure 2.2 work hard and u will be fine

GothicStirling

A 2.2 doesn't disqualify you from masters degress. OU will accept a second class.

I'm applying for a MA in Highland and Island Literature at UHI and they ask for a second class ordinary or honours degree. I'm borderline 2:1, so I'm currently working my !!! off to get the 2:1.

Good luck.

fiddlesticks

I got a 2:2 from a 'good university' and I got in to a PhD place at the same top 5 uni. OK so 5 years later I'm unemployable but thats not due to the 2:2.

[Deleted User]

Don't want to upset you, but all those graduate schemes will still look at your 2:2 even if you did a masters. Sadly, if it ain't a 2:1, most places will look the other way

Personally, i got a 2:2 at uni, but did a masters anyway because i really liked the subject and knew i'd be good at it. Thankfully things worked out ok - however i see some guys who got 2:1s and jumped into graduate schemes.. they seem about 2 or 3 years ahead of me career wise. Ho hum, that's what i get for not working hard enough at uni.

Personally.. I'd say start looking at prospects.ac.uk for graduate jobs. You never know where will take you on

nash1977

I gained a 2:2 in economics in 2000. From my experience, concentrate on applying for roles with smaller companies and work your way up.

It is not just the grade that will get you a job. Competition is stiff and you need to stand out from the crowd. Consider volunteering, teaching English abroad, travelling, etc, after uni to market yourself.

ohdamnit

Be willing to go in at a lower level than you hoped for, take roles as admin in project offices, or something similar, that way you can get in on the ground floor and prove yourself

fiddlesticks

GothicStirling wrote: »

A 2.2 doesn't disqualify you from masters degress. OU will accept a second class.

I'm applying for a MA in Highland and Island Literature at UHI and they ask for a second class ordinary or honours degree. I'm borderline 2:1, so I'm currently working my !!! off to get the 2:1.

Good luck.

UHI wasn't even a university 6 months ago so that's hardly a good sign.

WolfSong2000

What area of economics do you want to go into? It's potentially a very broad subject, but if you can narrow down what areas interest you, you'll be better equipped to look for relevent experience, which could help make up for the grade, or even looking into doing a more specialised masters degree, e.g. in development economics or something.

I wont lie - having a 2:2 may well cause you problems, as so many people now come out with 2:1's, that often even having that is not enough. Practical experience, however, should more than make up for this, so if you can get some (be inventive!) then grab it with both hands .