Graduates
are questioning the value of their university education in the modern job
market, according to research.
The
survey by doctorjob.com finds that graduates realise not all degrees have the
same value to employers, despite recent government initiatives to get as many
young people into higher education as possible.
It
also shows that graduates understand that the type of university they went to
and even their A level results are more important than they thought when they
embarked on their university career.
The
survey found that, if they could have their time over again, more than one in
four graduates would have chosen to go to a different university, and more than
60 per cent would consider doing a different degree subject.
Chris
James, head of the careers service at Liverpool John Moores University, said:
“Major employers express the desire to have greater workplace diversity, yet
the recruitment methods they use – online applications, UCAS points and the
targeting of institutions – actually have the reverse effect. New universities,
with the most diverse student populations and relevant vocational programmes,
are the major losers in this process.”
Other
findings from the survey:
–
Just 14 per cent of those surveyed said the practice of employers targeting
particular universities made ‘perfect sense’
–
More than 40 per cent question the wisdom of spending so much time and money on
their university education
–
More than half of those surveyed have debts of £10,000 or more, while more than
60 per cent feel that debt is holding them back when they choose their career,
and might initially choose an employer or job just to pay off debts as quickly
as possible
–
More than half of those surveyed feel they have been rejected for a job solely
on the basis of their UCAS points
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