In recent years, many students have struggled to attain jobs after graduating from university. Many blame the recession, as the cause of reduction in job offers and places per profession, however, there is still the unanswered question; what do employers want?
Employability is very much like a tightrope, thin and wavering. In 2011, a fine line of one applicant having more experience against their name and slightly more developed basic skills will be the deciding factor between you and someone else for a position. If you want to beat that applicant, be proactive; engage in interests relevant to your desired occupation and get work experience that will not only enrich your CV, but your life as well.
Employers name the skills they most desire in graduates as “Employability skills”. They look for an individual who has self-reliance skills such as self-awareness and willingness to learn, people skills e.g. team working and leadership, general employment skills; problem solving, flexibility and business acumen (entrepreneurial, competitive, risk taker). For some occupations, such as doctors, engineers, lawyers, you will need specialist skills and training endorsed by professional bodies.
These specialist skills can be learned from a course that serves as the basis for that job, e.g. a Law degree, followed by Articles or Pupillage to become a solicitor or barrister.
On the other hand, you may find yourself asking the question, “Do I really need university?” Are you more interested in a career in agriculture or equine studies, for example? In which case, a college may be your best option! On the whole, they are less expensive than universities, focus less on research and theory, and instead, more on the practical uses and your direct involvement in real-life situations from the start.
All the skills and experience are undoubtedly vital for your success, but without the passion and the “Want” to study, you are unlikely to achieve very much. If you feel that a profession is the one for you, prepare yourself for when you have finished the course. Search and find that critical balance that you need to succeed, and you will make it to the end of that tightrope.
- Caroline Jalili
