Privilege breeds success in today's university system

Citation

(2003), "Privilege breeds success in today's university system", Education + Training, Vol. 45 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2003.00445cab.004

Privilege breeds success in today's university system

Privilege breeds success in today's university system

Only one in five 2002 graduates went to private school, but they are twice as likely to have had a job offer than those attending state school and they expect a higher starting salary, according to the latest Grad Facts survey by The Guardian and the Association of Graduate Recruiters. The survey of more than 2,000 final-year university students also reveals that today's graduates are leaving university with greater debts than ever, yet 62 per cent agree that their degree has been worth the financial investment.

Other findings show that the class of 2002 work hard and play hard, with 52 per cent working to support themselves through their course. More than 60 per cent agree that the most important thing in life is to have fun, while 21 per cent say that their career will be their first priority. Job satisfaction is more important to graduates than money as they take their first step on the career ladder.

The report also suggests that employers may need to reconsider their recruitment strategies, as fewer students are job-hunting while at university. Only 40 per cent are looking for jobs before graduation. Some 70 per cent of graduates cite enjoyment as the most important thing they want from their first job. Next on the list are liking colleagues, having enough money, being passionate about the industry, and having a good work location and a good social life. Some 59 per cent describe getting a good degree as very important. Female students are much more likely to value this than men – at 66 per cent compared to 52 per cent. Around 35 per cent of respondents believe there are fewer job opportunities now than in the past. Even 44 per cent of those expecting a first-class honours degree believe that the job market is worse than ever.

Today's graduates are taking a more mercenary, short-term approach to their first job. Only 15 per cent expect to stay longer than three years. In many cases, they plan to stay for a year or two at most, receive some training and move on. Almost one in four arts students intend to leave their first job in a year. Almost 60 per cent of candidates prefer to take private-sector jobs. The proportion increases as salary expectations rise, as might be expected. More than one in four ultimately hope to work for themselves.Media and broadcasting are the most favoured career choices (25 per cent) followed by advertising and public relations (22 per cent) and finance and banking (20 per cent). Design and voluntary work are much more popular with female respondents, while computing and engineering score more highly with men. Industries at the bottom of the list include agriculture, construction and engineering. Despite recent high-profile recruitment drives, the police, armed services, prisons and teaching are also unpopular.

London is far and away the most popular destination for graduates after university. Almost 40 per cent of graduates want to work in London and a further 13 per cent want to work elsewhere in the south east, meaning over half the student population want to work in this area.