Report Reveals That Degrees Dont Always Lead To Graduate Jobs

A new report from Government-funded experts found that 23% (nearly a quarter) of graduates with first class degrees were not in what could be described as "graduate jobs" three years after earning their degrees.

The report found that Graduates with degrees in media studies or business studies were among the least likely to have found employment in graduate vacancies.  Graduates within several different science subjects were also not as successful in gaining graduate jobs as they may have hoped. as were those with degrees in several different science subjects.

40% of the surveyed graduates with qualifications in "mass communications and documentation", which includes Media Studies, were in non graduate jobs as were 33% of those with degrees in business or administrative studies.

As expected, graduate jobs were defined as work requiring expertise that comes from higher education, the ability to play strategic or managerial roles, and high level "interactive skills".

Those with first degrees and not working in graduate jobs included work in call centres, office administration and bar or restaurant staff.  A quarter of them said that they work in their current jobs to either pay off debts or to gain more industry based experience.

All hope is certainly not lost for those looking for jobs for graduates as 98% of people surveyed with medical degrees where in jobs that required their education.

Interestingly, the report revealed that workers who continued their education and earned a masters degree fared considerably better in the jobs market.

It said "Graduates with postgraduate qualifications were more likely than those with a first degree or other undergraduate qualifications to be working in a graduate occupation."

Out of those surveyed, only 7% of the workers with postgraduate qualifications were working in what could be described as non graduate jobs.