More graduates take low skilled jobs - a fifth still unemployed - Polidicks

[B]Recent graduates are more likely to be working in lower skilled jobs than they were 10 years ago, new figures show.[/B] Over a third of recent graduates were in non-graduate jobs at the end of 2011 - up from around a quarter in 2001. The figures, from Office for National Statistics, also showed[B] around a fifth of new graduates were unemployed[/B]. TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, called for an industrial strategy to reverse the trend of graduates taking low skilled jobs. Mr Barber said [B]a lack of quality jobs had forced people with degrees into lower skilled jobs[/B]. He said the government should focus on boosting high value industries such as manufacturing. "Otherwise public investment in education and [B]the talents of graduates will continue to be wasted[/B]", he added. The new figures suggest that [B]the best paid graduates are those with degrees in medicine and dentistry, earning more than £21 an hour[/B]. [B]The lowest paid graduates are those with degrees in the arts and humanities who earn on average around £12 an hour.[/B] The study also calculates[B] the typical wage of graduates aged between 21 and 64 to be just over £15 an hour - easily outstripping the average earnings of just under £9 an hour[/B] for non-graduates. The figures indicate that graduates are less likely to be unemployed than the rest of the available workforce. At the end of 2011, [B]the proportion of graduates of all ages who were in work stood at 86%, compared with 72.3% for non-graduates[/B]. But the report says that since the recession began in 2008, the employment prospects of recent graduates have become more limited. [B]Twice as many new graduates were out of work at the end of last year as in 2008.[/B] But the figures suggest that the employment prospects of new graduates may be improving slowly. [B] At the end of last year 18.9% of new graduates were out of work, compared with 20.5% at the peak of the recent recession.[/B] The figures are also better than in the recession in the 1990s, when unemployment for new graduates peaked at 26.9% in 1993. Carl Gilleard of the Association of Graduate Recruiters said the figures show a degree is still a worthwhile investment. "My advice for graduates is to have both a short term and long term approach to planning their careers, to gain experience in the workplace and see it as a valuable a stepping stone towards their longer term career goals", said Mr Gilleard. [URL]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-17271263[/URL]

Kind of sad that art and media students have been getting shafted and pushed around. I guess it really reflects how the government thinks about the importance of culture and entertainment.

This is what happens when you try to funnel everyone into university rather than providing other alternatives.

[QUOTE=Combin0wnage;35021977]Kind of sad that art and media students have been getting shafted and pushed around. I guess it really reflects how the government thinks about the importance of culture and entertainment.[/QUOTE] What does the government have anything to do with arts and humanities students struggling to find a practical application for their skills in the free market? If anything, that shows a slight lack of proper education about the applications of arts and humanities skills across the board rather than the government's fault

Breaking news: people turn to unskilled jobs when the jobs they are appropriately skilled for are unavailable,

All I take from this is that you're still better off as a graduate than a non-graduate

[QUOTE=fishyfish777;35022036]What does the government have anything to do with arts and humanities students struggling to find a practical application for their skills in the free market? If anything, that shows a slight lack of proper education about the applications of arts and humanities skills across the board rather than the government's fault[/QUOTE] The funding is absolutely atrocious for most arts schools, it's next to none. They lack the capacity to train their students for well-paid arts jobs because they lack to funding to buy the necessary equipment. It's all because of low funding; we're not useful to the government, advancement of civilisation etc so why should we be given as much money as the physics students when all we're going to do with it is spend it on LSD, dreadlocks, cameras and fucking easels. Speaking as an arts student.

[QUOTE=Cypher_09;35022264]The funding is absolutely atrocious for most arts schools, it's next to none. They lack the capacity to train their students for well-paid arts jobs because they lack to funding to buy the necessary equipment. It's all because of low funding; we're not useful to the government, advancement of civilisation etc so why should we be given as much money as the physics students when all we're going to do with it is spend it on LSD, dreadlocks, cameras and fucking easels. Speaking as an arts student.[/QUOTE] my 6th form ran out of white paint in an art exam it wasn't rescheduled.

[QUOTE=fishyfish777;35022036]What does the government have anything to do with arts and humanities students struggling to find a practical application for their skills in the free market? If anything, that shows a slight lack of proper education about the applications of arts and humanities skills across the board rather than the government's fault[/QUOTE] Nah man, it's the governments fault I don't have a job as a sculpture. Arts & Media jobs exist, there are tons of them, competition is just intense.

Uni's don't really guarantee you a job, they usually just make them available to you.

I just finished a BSc in Computing (Digital Media Development) with a 2.1 at the end of January. I didn't go to uni for the purpose of getting a job - I went to uni to study something I was interested in instead of working at a supermarket. While I hope I don't end up in a supermarket again, I don't expect to be kept out of it just because I went to uni to do something that interested me. If it does come to it, I'll revel in that supermarket work at least leaves you some time to yourself for hobbies and creativity as long as the management at the store aren't cunts.

[QUOTE=Combin0wnage;35021977]Kind of sad that art and media students have been getting shafted and pushed around. I guess it really reflects how the government thinks about the importance of culture and entertainment.[/QUOTE] It has nothing to do with the government's opinion on the importance of culture and entertainment and everything to do with the fact that there aren't many jobs in those industries. They're beyond saturated. Getting an arts or humanities degree is a waste of time and money right now.

I picked an arts and media course at University because I enjoyed the content and the opportunities it can offer. I wonder how many students go to University just for the sake of a high paying job and not that they'll particularly enjoy the course or potential career.

I studied film. I just got a job at a mortgage company for 15.96 USD an hour. Dream come true. I'm not really complaining though. If I have to work to save money for my dream and do something else for a few years then I'll do it.

[QUOTE=Combin0wnage;35021977]Kind of sad that art and media students have been getting shafted and pushed around. I guess it really reflects how the government thinks about the importance of culture and entertainment.[/QUOTE] the industry has become bloated and saturated, society has developed special snowflake syndrome in regards to being unique - no one wants to be plumbers or electricians or builders or any other working man job because it is not regarded as something special or particularly interesting to gloat about. Being an art student/media student is fashionable basically but they really don't get you anywhere anymore - this is coming from experience.

[QUOTE=Vasili;35023206]the industry has become bloated and saturated, society has developed special snowflake syndrome in regards to being unique - no one wants to be plumbers or electricians or builders or any other working man job because it is not regarded as something special or particularly interesting to gloat about. Being an art student/media student is fashionable basically but they really don't get you anywhere anymore - this is coming from experience.[/QUOTE]Half right. I've found that who you know is what gets you places. My aunt works in sales for a big hotel brand and twice now she meet a client who is based in a design/photographic area, she mentioned me. If you can make connections and take up every opportunity, doing a good job does wonders. Most places would be fine with taking on a student to do work with them, if they showed themselves to be half competent and willing to work for free for sometime.

you can't teach people to be great artists anyway so art students should know that it's not a money maker.

Hmm, this reminds me of a story my dad was talking to me about earlier. When he worked in Singapore over 10 years ago, his company's starting wage policy was similar to the following: Graduates from the top 100 universities in the USA gets 100% of the wage. (Cant remember exact values, so just going to use %s) Graduates from the top 300 universities in the USA gets 80% of the wage. Graduates from the top 600 universities in the USA gets 60% of the wage. Graduates from the non-top 600 universities in the USA are not considered for employment... There's a massive difference between graduating from Harvard and a local college. It's ignorant to say that all graduates had similar educations.

[QUOTE=Angus725;35023579]Hmm, this reminds me of a story my dad was talking to me about earlier. When he worked in Singapore over 10 years ago, his company's starting wage policy was similar to the following: Graduates from the top 100 universities in the USA gets 100% of the wage. (Cant remember exact values, so just going to use %s) Graduates from the top 300 universities in the USA gets 80% of the wage. Graduates from the top 600 universities in the USA gets 60% of the wage. Graduates from the non-top 600 universities in the USA are not considered for employment... There's a massive difference between graduating from Harvard and a local college. It's ignorant to say that all graduates had similar educations.[/QUOTE] How does that work if they are all doing the same job?

[QUOTE=Angus725;35023579]Hmm, this reminds me of a story my dad was talking to me about earlier. When he worked in Singapore over 10 years ago, his company's starting wage policy was similar to the following: Graduates from the top 100 universities in the USA gets 100% of the wage. (Cant remember exact values, so just going to use %s) Graduates from the top 300 universities in the USA gets 80% of the wage. Graduates from the top 600 universities in the USA gets 60% of the wage. Graduates from the non-top 600 universities in the USA are not considered for employment... There's a massive difference between graduating from Harvard and a local college. It's ignorant to say that all graduates had similar educations.[/QUOTE] Honestly there really isn't a massive difference for most fields and most employers. Just because his company has a really terrible employment policy that doesn't breed good employees and instead is just an excuse to underpay, doesn't mean all companies follow this. Personally, if that was a company I was considering applying my skills to, I wouldn't even bother if I knew those were his employment practices because I knew I would be undercut in my wages unfairly. I've got better things to do in my life than waste my time working my whole life for a company that encourages bottom-feeding, or people who are loaded need only apply. Sure, Harvard is nice if you are taking up law since for law degrees it can be important not only what you do while you are at college, but where you go as well. A fancy design degree at a top design school is nice too, but that's mostly because you are pretty much garunteed to be a good designer to graduate (which means you can be better independant), and you'll pretty much get placed into a job/internship. It's very possible to get the same effect by either doing no education or learning to be a great designer on your own time. It's just harder, and you'll have to be fiercely independant to the point where you skills stand out on their own. By far the most important factor to getting hired in 90% of professions and with reputable companies that are worth your salt in the long run is having actual work experience, and being experienced at doing the job at hand. Sometimes it can be almost impossible to get this experience without college, sometimes it is very possible to do so. Fact is, most companies don't give a shit about your degree beyond getting your resume past HR, and as long as you have one (as it shows your are educate/well rounded on some level, and you can complete long-term goals). Certain STEM and law related firms can be the exeption, but they by far aren't the norm for many things. Your interview(s) is what really gets the job, and it's almost certain in your interview details of your degree won't even be brought up - only what you actually know and can do on a practical level. Both skill wise and in your character.

And half of my AP teachers still think you're going to be a loser if you don't want to do college right out of highschool. They really need to take their damned blinders off unless they want to help me pay shit off and have amazing connections.

[QUOTE=Chicken_Chaser;35023795]And half of my AP teachers still think I'm going to be a loser because I don't want to do college right out of highschool. They really need to take their damned blinders off unless they want to help me pay shit off.[/QUOTE] You're actually much more likely to get hired if you are older and with a degree, since generally older people have more wisdom and better work ethic. There's nothing wrong with waiting to go to college, as long as you are able to provide a reason in your interview that is beyond "I was lazy/dropout/etc and didn't want to go to college, cause thats for chumps!" Generally interviewers love to hear that you made active choices to take breaks in college to focus on your carreers goals on your own time, to work, apply your skills with a full time internship, etc. It shows that you were'nt just trying to get a degree, and weren't just trying to graduate at "X" school.

[QUOTE=Combin0wnage;35021977]Kind of sad that art and media students have been getting shafted and pushed around. I guess it really reflects how the government thinks about the importance of culture and entertainment.[/QUOTE] What? No it is called don't get a degree in a job field that is flooded with people already there.

What's funny is a lot of jobs that are 'dirty' make really good pay.

[QUOTE=KorJax;35023825]You're actually much more likely to get hired if you are older and with a degree, since generally older people have more wisdom and better work ethic. There's nothing wrong with waiting to go to college, as long as you are able to provide a reason in your interview that is beyond "I was lazy/dropout/etc and didn't want to go to college, cause thats for chumps!" Generally interviewers love to hear that you made active choices to take breaks in college to focus on your carreers goals on your own time, to work, apply your skills with a full time internship, etc. It shows that you were'nt just trying to get a degree, and weren't just trying to graduate at "X" school.[/QUOTE] You're spitting out wise words. I said the same thing, how employers would rather have an older person with experience than a kiddie that went straight to college and is looking for work, but I guess that is a confusing prospect.

[QUOTE=JohnFisher89;35023855]What? No it is called don't get a degree in a job field that is flooded with people already there.[/QUOTE] I wouldn't say that getting a job in something that nobody else is doing just because nobody else is doing it is a wise idea either.

[QUOTE=JohnFisher89;35023855]What? No it is called don't get a degree in a job field that is flooded with people already there.[/QUOTE] That depends. The market is prone to changing quite rapidly. It is a shame for the college students who are already well into their major and can't afford to change it.

[QUOTE=Jimpy;35023881]I wouldn't say that getting a job in something that nobody else is doing just because nobody else is doing it is a wise idea either.[/QUOTE] No look into another skill set that you may have that will make you money. I like to play video games but video game tester is a flooded field, oh computers relates to that, yeah I'll do that oh now I have a decent job that is in demand. [editline]6th March 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Datsun;35023926]That depends. The market is prone to changing quite rapidly. It is a shame for the college students who are already well into their major and can't afford to change it.[/QUOTE] That is why you go CC=>4 year, you avoid the bullshit of that happening, get the geneds and intro classes out of the way at CC see if your decision was still good

I don't see how someone would get an art degree and expect to be guaranteed a job in that field. There is a low demand for them and there are already plenty of people with those degrees, I'm not saying they shouldn't go for it but thinking "I enjoy and studied X so I should be guaranteed a job that does that!". That's naive as hell.

Honestly you should never get an Art Degree with the expectation that you'll be getting an art job. Art degrees are excellent however for "related" fields that you already practice and are experienced in your own time. Such as, if you model, an art degree is useful if you can't afford a private school speciifcally for modeling and such. Not only will you learn relevant knowledge that will make your personal practice better, but you'll get a degree that is directly relevant to your knowledge. A graphic design degree is the same. If you love doing graphic design on your own, freelance/volunteer design work, etc but your school doesn't have a design department, an art degree is extremely useful at developing your skills even better and will give you an artistic edge (both in skill and qualifications) over other designers looking for freelance work or studio jobs. A nice chunk of my design teachers had art degrees for example. But for actually doing traditional art as your carreer? You'll almost never find a job. The closest thing you can expect would be to get a job as a concept artist, but even then those are mostly seasonal/contracted positions, and those are still digital focused. If you are someone who is a traditional artist only, you should only get a degree in art if you have a lot of money to blow, want to enrich your life/skills from that field, and already are set job-wise with something else. It's a nice "supplimentary" degree for those who love art. Part of the reason why you'll almost always have someone older (30's-40's) in your art classes.