Today’s graduates reinvent the 'traditional' career path
London, UK (PRWEB UK) 30 June 2014 -- New research released today reveals that only half of all UK graduates work in a field which relates to their degree after leaving university, and 96 per cent of those under 24 have already changed careers once or more since graduating.
The survey of 2,000 graduates, conducted by New College of the Humanities, found that while nearly 50 per cent of graduates chose a degree course to work specifically in a particular field, one in seven never found work in their chosen industry.
According to the findings, 93 per cent of those surveyed have changed profession or industry once or more since leaving university, with over one in ten having switched more than three times. In addition, almost a third (29 per cent) of 16-24 year olds only spent an average of three to six months in each job role.
Swatee Jasoria, Director of Professional Development at New College of the Humanities, said: “With the current economic climate and a number of sectors destined for growth, the traditional career path has evolved into more of a long and winding road. Graduates need to become adaptable, and build a personal portfolio of skills, which increasingly takes them into different roles and industries.”
The survey shows that while nearly a third of respondents cite financial reasons for changing jobs, one in ten have done so to start their own business. Additionally, the main reason for changing role or industry was for savvy graduates to acquire new skills and constantly learn (39 per cent), with communication (62 per cent) and creative skills (43 per cent) deemed to be the most valuable transferable skills acquired in professional life.
A C Grayling, Master of New College of the Humanities said: “One of the main motivations for the enriched curriculum of studies at New College of the Humanities is to address the need for a higher education that equips graduates for the diverse and complex careers they will pursue through life. This survey confirms that the aims of the College's innovative educational model are the right ones.”
The NCH Professional Programme includes seminars covering key skills and behaviours including writing and presenting, negotiation, financial literacy, working in teams, marketing, research methods, core principles of strategy, planning and decision-making, and statistics that are required for success in a wide range of industries and professions. In addition to the Professional Programme, Swatee Jasoria works with each student as an individual to guide and support them towards a professional future that matches their unique ambitions and strengths.
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About the research
New College of the Humanities used the independent research company Opinion Matters who surveyed 2,002 British graduates between the ages of 21 - 55 from across the UK, in mid June 2014.
Regional breakdown
London
In London just 13% of people stay in their job for more than 4 years compared to 24% in the North East and 30% in the South West.
16.5% of Londoners cited a desire for an improved work/life balance as reasons for changing jobs compared to 30% in the East and 45.6% in the North East and Yorkshire.
53% of graduates chose their degree to help them find work in their chosen industry sector
58% of people still work in their chosen industry
9% say they have never worked in their chosen industry
27% say they have changed industries because of financial reasons
East
41% of graduates chose their degree to help them find work in their chosen industry sector
50% of people still work in their chosen industry
19% say they have never worked in their chosen industry
31% say they have changed industries because of financial reasons
Midlands
45% of graduates chose their degree to help them find work in their chosen industry sector
49% of people still work in their chosen industry
11% say they have never worked in their chosen industry
28% say they have changed industries because of financial reasons
North East
43% of graduates chose their degree to help them find work in their chosen industry sector
43% of people still work in their chosen industry
17% say they have never worked in their chosen industry
27% say they have changed industries because of financial reasons
North West
49% of graduates chose their degree to help them find work in their chosen industry sector
51% of people still work in their chosen industry
12% say they have never worked in their chosen industry
39% say they have changed industries because of financial reasons
South East
48% of graduates chose their degree to help them find work in their chosen industry sector
43% of people still work in their chosen industry
13% say they have never worked in their chosen industry
30% say they have changed industries because of financial reasons
South West
43% of graduates chose their degree to help them find work in their chosen industry sector
52% of people still work in their chosen industry
15% say they have never worked in their chosen industry
27% say they have changed industries because of financial reasons
Wales
48% of graduates chose their degree to help them find work in their chosen industry sector
49% of people still work in their chosen industry
12% say they have never worked in their chosen industry
26% say they have changed industries because of financial reasons
Yorkshire
51% of graduates chose their degree to help them find work in their chosen industry sector
43% of people still work in their chosen industry
16% say they have never worked in their chosen industry
35% say they have changed industries because of financial reasons
Northern Ireland
54% of graduates chose their degree to help them find work in their chosen industry sector
57% of people still work in their chosen industry
11% say they have never worked in their chosen industry
13% say they have changed industries because of financial reasons
Scotland
43% of graduates chose their degree to help them find work in their chosen industry sector
43% of people still work in their chosen industry
14% say they have never worked in their chosen industry
33% say they have changed industries because of financial reasons
About New College of the Humanities
New College of the Humanities (NCH) offers a new model of higher education for the humanities in the UK. NCH students enjoy one of the best staff-to-student ratios in UK higher education and benefit from a high number of quality contact hours including engaging and challenging one-to-one tutorials.
Our professors are international experts in their fields and our full- time academic staff members have been selected for their proven ability in teaching as well as for their research interests.
NCH welcomed its first intake of students in September 2012 and prepares students for undergraduate degrees in: Economics BSc; English BA; History BA; Law LLB, Philosophy BA and Politics & International Relations BSc.
In addition to their 12-module single honours undergraduate degree from the University of London, all NCH students study a further eight modules. These comprise four modules from another degree subject or Art History, Classical Studies, or Psychology as a contextual course, and three core modules in Applied Ethics, Logic & Critical Thinking, and Science Literacy, plus the College’s three-year Professional Programme.
The College is centrally located in Bloomsbury, London’s university district and students, as associate members of the University of London, have access to many of the resources of the University of London: the exceptional library in Senate House, the University of London Union, sports facilities, and many other opportunities to enrich themselves through extra-curricular activity.
The College’s rolling applications process is independent of UCAS and applications can be made in addition to the five UCAS choices.
Desi Lyon, New College of the Humanities Ltd, +44 2072911385, [email protected]
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