Will my university hinder my chances of getting the job i want?

scotthem

I go to Manchester Metropolitan University doing Accounting and Finance.
I'm currently coming to the end of my second year.
Its only recently hit me, well during this year, that university could be important, not just the grade you get to the chances of you getting a job. This has me worried.

I want to do something related to accounts when i leave, most probably auditing, and to be honest, it would be my dream to work for one of the big four companies, PwC, Ernst & Young and the like...but it's got me worried that because of my university, I won't be considered despite the grade I get, and i'm hoping for a 2:1, even a 1st if i work hard.

It also irks me with most people about the degree course, i can see a difference in the people, most of them don't give a !!!! about their results or work, most are foreign students, and i'm beginning to think its a mistake taking this university, it never hit me at the beginning, a degree was a degree to me, and i picked it because a. it was the most interesting course to me. b. it was close to home.

I've also been working for four years pretty much full time, with glowing referenses from general managers to departmental managers and all, who would love me and keep asking to join the management team (so not all is bad i guess if i don't get a job) however retail is not for me, but does anyone think this will help my chances of getting employment. Its only been in a supermarket but still, everylittle counts as Tesco say?
What do you guys think?

Lokolo

Unfortunately, its because of students that don't give a **** that cause the university not to be so good on the league tables.

However saying that, all degrees have standards, so as long as you do well in it you should honestly be fine, obviously not as good as Oxbridge (although who would want someone from there!?).

I think if you're that worried about it, in the summer, do some extra work, I am sure there are loads of different accounting qualifications out there, so after you graduate, do a tiny bit more studying, so when you go for a job itnerview and they say 'oh you went to Manchester Metropolitan' you can just say 'Well I also have this qualificaion which is recognised all other the country', or to that effect.

Or you can go and try and work voluntary? Pain in the bum I know but its a start.

I also picked my uni for the same reason, I loved the look of the course and the uni (but I'm not that close to home), and yeh its not very good in league table but I can't see how I am worse than someone who is at a different uni doing the same degree, I am good at what I am doing and I hope it shows when I get a job.

[edit] looking at the league table on times, they judge scores based on graduate prospects (I would like to know how they figure that out) and on entry requirements, so if the uni gives low entry requirements it makes them a worse uni lol...

dmg24

Assuming you perform well in the assessment centres, the big four will all accept you with a 2:1 from MMU. I would only be concerned about your university if you were applying for e.g. investment banking, and even then they would still accept you if you were a very strong candidate.

The transferable skills that you have gained working in retail will put you at a big advantage to those with no work experience.

You sound like you will be an ideal candidate ... good luck! x

dmg24

Lokolo wrote: »

I think if you're that worried about it, in the summer, do some extra work, I am sure there are loads of different accounting qualifications out there, so after you graduate, do a tiny bit more studying, so when you go for a job itnerview and they say 'oh you went to Manchester Metropolitan' you can just say 'Well I also have this qualificaion which is recognised all other the country', or to that effect.

Be careful with this - some graduate employers will not accept people who have already started on their professional exams. Also your course should give you exemptions for some exams.

I would do a lot of research before paying to take exams that either are not required, or that will bar you from applying for the positions that you want.

Lokolo

dmg24 wrote: »

Be careful with this - some graduate employers will not accept people who have already started on their professional exams. Also your course should give you exemptions for some exams.

I would do a lot of research before paying to take exams that either are not required, or that will bar you from applying for the positions that you want.

Even if the qualifications are completely netrual to any company? (like Open Uni short courses)

dmg24

Lokolo wrote: »

Even if the qualifications are completely netrual to any company? (like Open Uni short courses)

I referred to professional exams, which for accountancy would be CIMA, ACCA etc.

Graduate schemes tend to like people to be starting at the same point, so if they have already started their professional studies, this messes up the training schedule.

As the OP's degree is in Accounting and Finance, I doubt that the OU could offer any relevant short courses that the OP has not already covered.

Lokolo

dmg24 wrote: »

I referred to professional exams, which for accountancy would be CIMA, ACCA etc.

Graduate schemes tend to like people to be starting at the same point, so if they have already started their professional studies, this messes up the training schedule.

As the OP's degree is in Accounting and Finance, I doubt that the OU could offer any relevant short courses that the OP has not already covered.

Ah ok cool thanks

rubuhoeikanaika

Yes, it could hurt you a bit, at least compared to us Oxbridge types. But there are a few ways you could beat it:

- become an excellent candidate. do well on degree, president of a society, summer internships. you want that CV full to bursting point. risk is that you appear to a be a big fish in a small pond.

- or, concentrate on academics, get a good first, and do a 1-year MA at a good university. an MA in finance from imperial, for example, would make you hugely employable. risk - it's a bit of a gamble (with time and money).

I'd suggest elements of both strategies. someone with a boring 2.1 or 2.2 on their CV from Oxford with nothing else on their CV would in both cases be less employable than you, except at the very snootiest investment banks.

rubuhoe

mikewebs

Take a tip:

Make sure you can pass all exams first time! Because if you mess one up, I am sure they will look at you differently and it could even jeopardise your job (this does happen in practice - I have been told by someone high up at Ernst & Young - you fail twice & you're out!)

We would all love our dream job and there is no harm in going for gold - good luck to you I hope you get there (I am too old to get there - although very capable). But have a serious Plan B. If it means you have to train with a smaller chartered accountancy - so what? You will end up ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA etc, you will be an accountant, and I sure the pressure would be far less! Honestly, how many Big 4 Accountants last till retirement at 60/65(there's an interesting research project)?

Good luck!

dmg24

rubuhoeikanaika wrote: »

Yes, it could hurt you a bit, at least compared to us Oxbridge types. But there are a few ways you could beat it:

- become an excellent candidate. do well on degree, president of a society, summer internships. you want that CV full to bursting point. risk is that you appear to a be a big fish in a small pond.

- or, concentrate on academics, get a good first, and do a 1-year MA at a good university. an MA in finance from imperial, for example, would make you hugely employable. risk - it's a bit of a gamble (with time and money).

I'd suggest elements of both strategies. someone with a boring 2.1 or 2.2 on their CV from Oxford with nothing else on their CV would in both cases be less employable than you, except at the very snootiest investment banks.

rubuhoe

The big four really aren't that competitive, you certainly don't need a Masters ... some work experience and a 2:1 and you will walk it ... I know from experience! x

mikewebs

PS Let's be honest, if an employer (someone you have to trust 100%) only puts value in certain universities, are they really that worth going to work for? Are their other opinions just as biased? To me (and many, many others) a 2:1 is a 2:1 a 1st is a 1st.

What distinguishes someone is how they can apply their knowledge! I have worked with very, very intelligent people but they have not one ounce of comon sense! Honestly don't worry.