On celebrating getting a 'graduate' job....
The community manager at my co-working space left last week, moving to a new job, amidst lots of hearty congratulations from everyone, given that moving 'on and up' is generally something worth celebrating!
However, although I am genuinely happy for her and congratulated her myself, I did so with an element of caution and skepticism.
She was/ is a very competent recent graduate in history, and was only working as a community manager straight out of graduation while she looked for her first proper graduate job, which is standard.
(Actually that managing job is a pretty nice number for someone in that position).
Anyway, the reason for my not being too cheerful for her is the job she got was working in admin, helping to set up a new medical department at the local university....
I mean, there's nothing wrong with this job, but, honestly, what's she going to be doing....?
Probably a mixture of deciding what admin systems to put in place, glorified data entry, populating the website with information, liaising with potential and actual staff and students, that sort of thing.
It's the kind of thing someone would have gone into straight after A-levels in the 1980s, even though this kind of job is probably easier today with all the software available to use in such a role, and yet she's a history graduate.
It certainly isn't the kind of job that requires someone to have spent £30K or more on a history degree, but probably a degree was required to get an interview.
I didn't want to push too hard, given that it's not really my place, but it seems to me that this is kind of holding job, a job that's graduate but a bit non-descript, the kind of thing someone does because it's 'proper' before moving onto something a bit more juicy, and related to said degree.
I guess it's come to this: most graduates have to settle for mundane graduate-inflated jobs in order to then move on to an actual 'graduate job'.
If you look at the stats on this there is some truth in it... the number of graduates in highly skilled jobs decreased slightly from 68% in 2007 to 65% in 2021, which suggests the graduate labour market is saturated.... more than a third end up in jobs which don't require those degrees!
This is very true as very few graduates actually end up using their degrees due to no positions being available. What will it be like in 10 years from now as I would rather have a trade than a degree.
A humanities degree is something one should do for enjoyment maybe - high price tag for fun - the challemge these days is AI proofing....
Trades work... and therapy!
Moving along different jobs brings more learning and knowledge and with that you can be more appealing on the job market. I can rely to that as I was stuck in a job for 15 years (where I got to be a top manager) and I moved to a new challenge as a senior engineer and it is much better. We tend to build a bubble around us and only if we brake it we can see the world in a new light.
Well said - 15 years is a long time to be stuck! Glad you got out!
Most graduates are now finding it hard to get any proper job nowadays compared to those who are not graduates.
I think technology, the internet and crypto are one of the reasons why most individuals who aren't graduates can now learn and educate themselves on any skill or field of study they wish to venture into and eventually become skilled enough to get a job without a degree.
Fair point - educating yrself more broadly for free - lots to be said for that!
I expect a lot of history graduates go into fields that do not rely on their history knowledge. Someone on my electrical engineering course went into a management role. Doesn't completing a degree mainly show that you can learn things? It can also be fun. I hope this young lady finds a career she enjoys.
There's a lot of cross filtration for sure... personally - I guess critical thinking and information processing are two things degrees give you - at a price!
It's a sad fact of life nowadays that it's pretty difficult for graduates to get a decent job, so many end up in mediocre jobs which like you say decades ago someone with A levels would be doing. And I think that's a reflection on how things have changed, that a degree nowadays is probably like a few good A levels a few decades ago. Having a degree won't give you that much edge like it used to do, it will only mean you're on level playing field like everyone else. And often you'll find you need a Masters to get the advantage over others.
My degree qualified me for the doll, it's the more specific masters that got me the job for sure!
So that's £40K!
Many many congratulations to your friend
Your friend is Lucky to find good job. Here in Pakistan people have degrees but it is impossible to get a good job here
I can imagine such jobs are limited!
It's good that they're thinking about further training for sure - it should be that way - and I guess at least you end up with a more diverse mix of people!
We nearly always have graduates apply for our admin support roles, and sometimes people who are quite experienced in their field as well as being a graduate. They really want a more senior role, often in policy but have neither a related degree, practice in a relevant field or policy analysis/writing skills.
We're looking at a career progression model for the organisation where, in principle, someone could start at entry level (whether admin/apprentice/intern/volunteer) or any where along the scale (which is really about increasing levels of risk) and progress further along the scale with structured thresholds and training and development opportunities.
The thing about getting into large organisations like (I'm guessing) the NHS is that you are in the network and have far more access to other opportunities. They have better professional training programmes within them and you just find out about stuff - my friend (also a graduate) started as part-time ward admin in a neonatal unit at St George's Teaching Hospital in South London and went on to become a senior researcher.
History is a great degree to have for work: I'd love someone with that background in my team. We do have a philosophy graduate and that is another great discipline to have in the team. Generally speaking, employers don't exploit (in the positive sense) previous learning and disciplines enough in the workplace. It would help tremendously with innovation.
Slightly different from your topic but I was reminded of it: we have a meeting next week with a pan-London authority about data collection and I'm looking forward to asking them what they're doing about AI 😁
It's good that they're thinking about further training for sure - it should be that way - and I guess at least you end up with a more diverse mix of people!
I have seen that some companies today interview and accept canditates from different business fields than the ones they carry on. For example, it is believed that an engineer can work in finance field.
True, as long as the degree proves something worthwhile then no problem!
Africa is the home of high unemployment rate and i wonder what the future hold for us. anyway i wish her more happy life in her new job
As someone who hires in a lot of people I do understand unfortunately how this works and also the pros and cons to it. Actually it does suck that you need to do a broader kind of job just for the reasoning of getting 'more experience in the field of the working life' , but on the other hand...getting someone straight out of school and making all of the rookie mistakes at your place is also no winner.
It just feels weird that degrees are still such a thing after you have contained working experience at a different place. Say with your age and your previous successes on the floor...why would a degree even still be relevant? This is the shift I am feeling at the moment..degrees are starting to feel more like portfolios which is not a bad thing at all, but the thing is also that you can fill it with stuff that is convenient, leaving out the bad stuff.
I don't even think a degree is enough anymore, if you employ someone just on the basis of that you're still taking a risk!
For sure... let them have some experience in a company setting to see how they evolve first.
(But give some changes every now and then..thst 2 year work experience must be attained somewhere!)