In the midst of COVID-19, less than a fifth of graduates has secured a job before leaving University, when usually three-fifths do so.
Research by Milkround and Dig-in, a student sampling and research company found that only 18 per cent of students have secured a job whilst at University, compared to the usual 60 per cent. With 75 per cent of students saying the virus is having an impact on their future career prospects.
Those in internships have also been negatively impacted as 37 per cent of interns have been terminated. Under half (40 per cent) of grads have said their employer has been in touch to put their mind at rest, 60 per cent are still concerned that the current situation may impact their position.
Also, 49 per cent of graduates feel there are no opportunities currently in their sector, there will be more competition for jobs (43 per cent) and 25 per cent feel salaries will be impacted.
Georgina Brazier, the jobs expert at Milkround, said:
Understandably, the situation around Covid-19 is having a knock-on effect for student and graduate’s confidence in the current jobs market. However, despite many businesses being forced to postpone current recruitment drives, the ISE has revealed only a quarter (27 per cent) of companies will be recruiting less graduates this year,showing there is still demand. Students should be reassured there are still various well-renowned companies looking for ambitious entry-level talent, to join their business and help deliver change. Most notably, the Education, Medical, Accounting, IT and Engineering, as well as the Public sector are amongst the industries still continuing to hire.
Christopher Platt, founder and CEO at Dig-In, said:
Our latest research reveals that the majority of UK students feel under pressure and worried, due to uncertainty caused by the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Whilst we may see a rise in students deciding to take on master’s degrees or further courses of study, in order to delay entering the jobs market by a year until things return to normal, students need to feel supported and understand the range of opportunities that are currently available to them.
Students, especially those graduating this year, should rely virtually on their university careers’ services, as well as jobs-board, such as Milkround, to navigate the current graduate jobs market.
To collate these results, Dig-In surveyed 2648 UK graduates and students, on behalf of Milkround.
Darius is the editor of HRreview. He has previously worked as a finance reporter for the Daily Express. He studied his journalism masters at Press Association Training and graduated from the University of York with a degree in History.
