Life after university: what next?

TriadSheep31

Masomnia wrote: »

I would say think about what you really want to do and work out how to get there, but if I could give myself at 21 one piece of advice it would be to just do something. Doesn't matter too much what, as you'll pick up skills and experience along the way. You're at a point where you can start something and it can be the wrong thing, but you can change in a year or two... so you'll lose a lot more by sticking with something dead-end than trying something else for a bit.

Good luck.

I think that's solid advice for sure. Even though I really don't enjoy my job I'll definitely stick with it just so I don't have an unnecessary gap in my CV.

The issue I have is that I'm definitely trying to go for something new, as you say, as I've applied to many Finance/HR/Banking graduate schemes (which always say 'any 2:1 degree accepted'), but gotten no further than the competency tests each time. I can't help but think why any of these big companies would hire a languages graduate over an economics graduate, for example, applying for the same position, not to mention the fact that I would be much less competent at the numeracy tests (which I seem to suck at). So I get why I probably don't get very far, and I don't try and let it phase me too much.

GarthThomas

TriadSheep31 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I think I fooled myself into thinking before I headed to uni that just because I can speak 3+ languages fluently, I'm going to walk into a job.

Also, what do you mean by 'shows potential, but not much more'? Would you mind elaborating?

There are very few jobs where the facts that you learned in a modern language degree are in any way useful. What the degree shows employers is that you are in the subset of people who can learn, who can get on and get a job done, who actually turn up, and see a project through.

These are valuable skills that many people seem not to have, but a month in, when the guy next to you without a degree has shown that he can do these things too, then what value does that degree bring (to your employer, not to you?)

My degrees were in physics, and having too degrees in this shows a lot. Again, though, it shows potential. My job requires a great aptitude for numbers, but my knowledge of how to derive Maxwell's equations is a sideshow.

GarthThomas

TriadSheep31 wrote: »

That's exactly what I'm thinking. A lot of workers from the continent speak more than one language fairly well at the very least (and in the case of your colleague, many), and will also have a degree in business/HR/economics to boot: whereas I can only boast the former rather than the latter as well. I'm not sure whether I should just do a Postrgad in something such as finance, just so i'm not just stuck without any transferable workplace skills and/or knowledge.

To add to the above. I'm bilingual, my wife speaks three languages, we have friends with four or five. These are nice things to stick on a CV, but some staff in Starbucks can match this.

The question, always, is what are you bringing to the party?

TriadSheep31

GarthThomas wrote: »

To add to the above. I'm bilingual, my wife speaks three languages, we have friends with four or five. These are nice things to stick on a CV, but some staff in Starbucks can match this.

The question, always, is what are you bringing to the party?

This I think is where the problem lies with my degree choice. Anyone who's spent around 1-2 years working/studying in France, for example, is likely to have a similar, if not higher, competency in the language as I have. Difference with me is that I've spent £27000 plus on getting to that stage, with no real other transferable skills which I could offer to a company. I got an A* in GCSE Maths and English, but that's about it.

As someone with anxiety, a moderate stammer and ADD, my communication skills, organisation, confidence and motivation tend to go out of the window most days, so in answer to your question 'what can I bring to the table' (other than a bit of language skill), the answer is not a huge amount.

GarthThomas

But your degree shows the things above, ability to learn, persistence, reliability, diligence. It's enough to get your foot in the door.

FBaby

I don't think you should focus on your degree. Many places won't care much what you graduated in but will pick up on the fact that you have a degree and from a good Uni.

What you need to focus on is the rest:

I've applied to many Finance/HR/Banking graduate schemes (which always say 'any 2:1 degree accepted'), but gotten no further than the competency tests each time

Why not? I doubt it is to do with your degree as indeed, if they only wanted graduate from a specific field, they would specify so. What these schemes are looking for is specific personality traits that will generate people who they believe can grow as leaders regardless of their degree. This usually includes traits such as enthusiasm, intelligence (quick thinking), ability to mix with different people, being able to take initiatives whilst still taking into consideration the views of others. Risk takers, but calculated risks. Ambition, drive, aspiration etc...

If you don't know what you want to do, where you're going, what you need to do to get there, it is likely this will reflect during the assessment phase.

How about looking to volunteer during your spare time to see if there is anything that inspires you? You need to get some energy that will give you the drive to achieve what you want, so if what is missing in knowing what interest you, go and try different things. Why not go on one of those students sites and read about experience of different studies and the jobs it leads to.

You could then apply to graduate schemes, apprenticeships, or go and do a Master.

jamesperrett

I had graduate friends who worked in all kinds of jobs for a few years before finding their final career. At 22 you still have plenty of time to try a few different things.

grad101

Most people don't go into a career related to their degree so I wouldn't worry about that. I think what you need right now is to put more effort into researching different careers. Use your dislike of your current job if you have to. And the best way to do this is to talk directly to people using any contacts you can in different industries and try to get some work experience or shadowing (if you're really interested in an industry, maybe take a few days off work as annual leave to spend them shadowing someone at a different industry?). The advice I'd give to undergrads or very recent graduates who don't know what they want to do is to look at internships as way to 'try out' careers - but I agree it's probably not in your interest to quit the job you have hence the work experience suggestion above.

What kind of careers have you looked at already and why did you rule them out? You said you applied to finance/HR grad schemes - did this seem like something you'd enjoy? It doesn't sound like it from your first post - if you can work out the elements why this is so, that will help you narrow down what you want to do.

zagubov

It's totally common to switch fields but getting further qualifications may help.
You might find this document helpful
https://www.hecsu.ac.uk/assets/assets/documents/What_do_graduates_do_2016.pdf
The OU offer support for a part-time degree. Have a look at their list.
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/fees-and-funding/equivalent-qualifications
You can get support for a Masters; check here if you're in England
https://www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan.

ruperts

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.
- Bazz Luhrmann

Also:

Travel.
- Bazz Luhrmann

If I was you I'd follow both bits of advice.