Is a 2.2 really that bad :(

Christa1

My son got a 2:2 from the University of Leeds and he graduated last year. He chose not to work whilst at Uni although he did work whilst at home during AS/A level years. He did manage to get a job pretty quickly though not what you would call a career job, just to get a good level of work experience, and very poorly paid however, looking at major companies in retail/ banking/ law etc, for their grad recruitment they all ask for a minimum of 2:1, so this immediately cuts down the opportunities, so people with a 2:2 can't even apply, although I do understand there are so many grads they have to draw the line somewhere. He is now looking for another job having been in this present job since last September, but still doesn't really know what his career choice is. He is interested in HR/ advertising/PR and has a Sociology degree but even for the lowest HR position all require previous HR experience, this seems to be the major obstacle getting your foot in the door to gain that experience.

chuckley

nope, its what you do with it. i graduated 06 and only got a job in 08. mainly due to lack of experience, nowt to do with my degree as they looked past that when interviewing and tested skills, e.t.c.

ur getting way too hung up on ur degree like u got a degree therefore u deserve the job. your degree has help you get closer to your dream job or whatever, its not given u a right to said job.

try agencies. ud be suprised how many lil stints of work teach you loads. i amazingly got a temp job around what i wanted to do which only lasted three weeks but taught me an awful lot and helped with 'experince' on my cv.

findingmyownway

The vast increase in the number of graduates means more and more companies are using a cut off point for considering applications, such as a 2:1 or above.

The other posters are right - you need to make up for the fact you didn't get the best degree results with work experience and general attitude.

WillowCat

moo2moo wrote: »

When interviewing in the past I insisted that the envelope and covering letter were kept with the application form. First impressions count. If you failed to spell the address correctly having copied it from an advert your CV hit the recycling pile. After that I went on handwriting, grammer and spelling.

Really?:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

tiamaria

Where do you look for the job ads? In our part of the country there's very few (none actually!) & we don't get to see very many countrywide jobs as not advertised locally, my son has tried KPMG & suchlike but they aren't interested despite 2:1 Maths. I can only think its down to the fact he only has 280 UCAS points.

He has signed up on many Internet sites & he's been looking for accountancy, actuary etc.

kimmy393

I think it also depends on the university that you got your degree in .. So if you got your 2:2 from one of the top say 15 Unis in the country then you will stand a better chance than if you got your 2:2 from a non recognised uni ...

Voyager2002

Try going to Church. Last Sunday, I met someone whose brother is a chief executive, and who thinks he can introduce me and give me a wide choice of jobs that would interest me. The brother in question is a university vice-chancellor; the jobs would be as a lecturer (or above). Just one little problem: the university is in Zimbabwe!

However, the point remains that informal contacts can help. One of my friends obtained a not very good degree and had zero work experience. He met someone in church who got him a job in HR.

JohnDep_2

Im at Bath doing Mchem chemistry...

Always wonderd if a 3rd Mchem (Masters of Chemistry) is as good as a 2:2 Bsc?

I have no idea what ill get, my first year Xmas exam results a mized bag... 1st, to fail!

BigBouncyBall

well i'd say really work hard and make sure you don't get a 3rd. While it's still a degree, it'll be hard work getting a job as a pharmasist/chemist with a 3rd.

The first year doesn't matter too much does it? Just give yourself a kick up the !!!! and get into at least the 2.2 bracket!

[Deleted User]

on my degree course (BSc Genetics, Liverpool), 2 people got 1sts, just under 1/2 got 2:1, just under half 2:2 and 1 person got a 3rd... that might give you an idea of how bad you need to be to get a 3rd.. so, i wouldn't count a 3rd from anywhere in any subject as the equal to a 2:2

I came out with a 2:2.. did a relevent MSc and got a good job (although it was in academia so not well paid).. finally jumped to industry to get a better paying job now. I still find my 2:2 stops me from applying for working at certain firms (not to mention my rubbish A levels, lol).. hopefully i'll get management experience and then the big consultancies i want to work for won't matter.

2:2 in Maths.. you'll have no problem getting work