Academic reference years after leaving uni?

FunWithFlags

Hi everyone!

Hope this is the right place to post this!

I've recently decided to try and aim higher and have decided to try and actually use my degree rather than just pretending it doesn't exist. A lot of the jobs I would like to apply for want either a degree at 2:1 or above or 2 years management experience. They also want an academic reference or business reference to go along with this.

This issue I am having is that my university study wasn't straightforward and getting an academic reference is looking difficult. I did 2.5 years at one uni and took a year out due to illness before then transferring for my final year at my local university. In my final year I had a personal advisor who was supposed to be my port of call for academic references. The problem I have is that he didn't know me at all due to me being there such a short time and when he did write me a reference (for a place on a PGCE) it was literally one sentence. I still managed to get a place on the PGCE but it was at the same university so part of me thinks they overlooked the one line reference as I passed all the other parts of the application.

I am concerned now as I clearly can't go to him for an academic reference so what do I do? A business reference isn't really an option as after finishing my degree as I only have part time work on my CV and I doubt the employers even remember me. An academic reference from the PGCE tutors isn't an option either as I withdrew from the course again due to illness.

I feel a bit stuck really and wondered if anyone had any advice on what I could do about this or what the next step to take could be to work myself towards being able to use my degree. I don't really want to never be able to use my degree due to not being able to obtain an academic reference. Thank you for reading

(Disclaimer: the one line reference was not due to me being a bad student etc. He said at the time he didn't know what to write as he didn't know me well enough. At the time I thought it was a bit lacking but way back then I was not well enough to challenge the situation).

bewildered123

Did you do a dissertation or do particularly well in any final year module? If so, consider approaching either your supervisor or the lecturer on that module. Email the person, explain the situation, and ask if they'd be willing to do it - it is really helpful to attach a cv & details of your degree marks, dissertation title etc. Essentially the easier you make it for that person, the more likely they are to write something decent for you. This is especially important if the lecturer has moved university, as they will no longer have access to your student file.
I'm a lecturer and get regular reference requests for former students, some of who graduated years ago. While I do respond to all requests, if I have no up-to-date information on the ex-student, I can often only write a very limited reference, simply because I have no idea what appropriate answers to the recruiter's questions might be. It's a minority of former students who have the politeness to ask permission to use your name and to supply the necessary information - when somebody does make the effort, it is appreciated.

Savvy_Sue

Agree with the above: I'd contact both universities and see who is still there who taught / tutored you, or see if you can track anyone down even if they've moved on (shouldn't be that hard in the internet age unless their name is John Smith or similar!)

Even include the PGCE if you were there long enough to be remembered.

Savvy_Sue

Or check what alternative to an academic reference there might be - do they want someone to say "FWF was an excellent and intelligent student who excelled in the following and did all this stuff and I personally taught them this that and the other" etc, or would an academic transcript do the job?

FunWithFlags

Thank you so much for replying, that's really helpful! I did a dissertation in my final year and my supervisor for it was really lovely. I never knew I could try approaching him for a reference! The jobs I'm applying for would probably chase up the references after I apply and it wouldn't be an upfront one (like with the PGCE) so would I just explain (if he decides that he will be willing to write one for me) that he may be approached for a reference if I'm successful in my application? Or would he expect to write a general one in advance? I know lecturers have a lot of work on so I don't want it to come across that I expect him to snap to attention to write one as soon as a request comes through from an employer if that makes sense.

FunWithFlags

Oops we posted at the same time savvysue!

I didn't think of asking about transcripts. Definitely something to look into. They do ask for a personal one as well so maybe that would cover me as a person if that makes sense. If they want a full reference, I think I'm going to make a list of people who could potentially remember me etc and then see if any of them would be willing to write one.

Fingers crossed that if I provide all the info recommended, someone will be willing

mandyc

Don't forget that this maybe a bad time to contact tutors as some (not all) seem to disappear in June only to reappear in late Sepember.

Savvy_Sue

mandyc wrote: »

Don't forget that this maybe a bad time to contact tutors as some (not all) seem to disappear in June only to reappear in late Sepember.

True, but speaking to the departmental secretaries will help work out who's around and who's not!

t0rt0ise

It sounds as if you will need two sorts of reference. The reference direct from the uni will just state dates and degree classification. A personal reference from a tutor is different and as the others say you will have to contact tutors direct for this. All you need from them now is agreement that you can put them down as a referee on any applications. You ought to be able to find email addresses for tutors on the internet.

FunWithFlags

Ah thank you that makes sense that way the transcript will cover the academic side and then the tutor reference would be about me as a student type thing?