This section will explore what graduates do after they have completed their studies. For instance, do graduates find employment, undertake further studies or participate in voluntary work six months after they graduate. It is also important to consider the occupations your son or daughter maybe employed in. It will encourage you to think about what your son or daughter might do after they have graduated.
Look at the following table presenting data on the employment trends of graduates six months after graduation. What do you think it shows?
This table shows employment trends, six months after graduation for those students who graduated in 2009/10. In the whole of the UK:
- Less than half of all graduates were in full-time employment (48%)
- another 11.5% worked part-time
- 8% were working and undertaking further study
- 18% had enrolled themselves in further study
- 8.6% were assumed to be unemployed
The figures across the South East, and specifically in Thames Valley, show a slightly more positive picture in terms of employment than other parts of the UK. Here, a higher proportion of graduates were in jobs and fewer were assumed unemployed. Fewer graduates were engaged in further study. This could be an indication of better employment prospects, as graduates may enrol in further study to avoid unemployment. Later we will look at Furturetrack data which shows what activities graduates are engaged in 18 months are gradaution. This may be a more accurate reflection of what your son or daughter is likely to do.
Local headlines
The highest proportion of graduates in full-time employment can be found in West Berkshire, whilst Oxford holds the lowest proportion of graduates in full-time work. This can be explained by a high proportion of graduates in further study. South Buckinghamshire has the highest proportion of graduates assumed to be unemployed, together with Aylesbury Vale and the Vale of White Horse.
Graduates were classified as employed if they were either in full-time paid work only (including self-employment), part-time paid work only, or work and further study. The table shows that:
- Oxford and South Buckingham have the lowest employment rates of graduates and the highest proportion of employed graduates
- There have been significant changes over the last three years
In most local authority units, the proportion of graduates of the 2008/09 cohort was lower than that of the previous leavers of higher education (cohort 2007/08). However, the latest figures of the cohort of graduates from 2009/10 show that in most areas within Thames Valley, the proportion of graduates in employment is as high as 2007/08 or higher.
Most graduates work in occupations that are classified as Managers/senior officials, Professional occupations and Associate professional and technical occupations, the classic graduate jobs. Nevertheless, nearly 20% of graduates in the UK as a whole and 16.5% of graduates in the South East work in occupations that are less likely to be typical graduates jobs; they work in Sales and customer service occupations; Process, plant and machine operatives; or Elementary occupations.
In Thames Valley, again, changes over the last three years can be seen. Whilst the proportion of graduates working in non-graduate jobs in 2007/08 was as low as 13% rising to 17% in 2008/09. It will be interesting to see if the decrease in figures in 2009/10 will continue over the next years. In the UK as a whole, this decrease was not observable in 2009/10, the figures are as high (19% to 20%) as in the previous year.
How do I find out more about particular jobs and their requirements?
The Prospects website has career guides for a range of sectors, which include information on employment prospects, jobs, relevant courses and where to find out more. This a good place to start exploring graduate jobs, opportunities for further study and work placements.
Next Step provides a range of job profiles looking at duties, qualifications, skills and pay.