Graduate salaries frozen for the first time
Graduate job salaries in 2009 throughout the UK froze for the first time since records started
Recent reports and surveys of major employers suggest that opportunities for graduate jobs in the UK in 2009 was the toughest for many years. Advice from government and employers for graduates is to simply take whatever jobs you can in terms of temp jobs or do voluntary work and to avoid taking a gap year. The reason for this is that any type of job provides important works and organisational skills favoured by employers, even if the job is not in the field that graduates are hoping to pursue a career in.
The number of opportunities fell by around 9% in 2009 and is expected to decrease by a further 2% in 2010. Economists predict that graduate job vacancies can expect to see growth again in 2011 after companies have taken stock of their organisation and once more willing to invest in their competitiveness. This is a particularly tough time for graduates considering the hefty tuition fees that have been introduced in recent years and the debt now facing many graduates.
Employers are advising graduates to avoid further education during the recession and to take unpaid or voluntary work instead. However, this advice fails to consider the qualifications necessary to truly advance in certain fields. Many graduates are also being advised to search for internships and jobs abroad in countries such as France and Germany where job opportunities for graduates have decreased less than in the UK.
I agree with the point that more graduates should look at gaining valuable experience whilst not being able to land in full time graduate jobs. However, there should be no harm in taking a gap year to travel. But when you do that it is more important to emphasise on how the gap year was spent and the skills gained during the period that could contribute to the organisation.
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