findings from our graduate surveys

The text that follows reveals some of the latest findings from our graduate surveys. If you complete one of our surveys then we’ll send you a free excerpt from one of our Knowledge Insight Packs to thank you for your inputs.

  1. how did you find out about your most recent work experience placement?

    According to our findings, the three most popular ways that university students find out about work experience placements are:

    1. Through word-of-mouth [38%]
    2. From a member of the family [23%]
    3. From a friend [19%]

    Other ways included:

    • From a Careers Advisor
    • On the internet
    • The placement was arranged as part of the degree
  2. What were the main problems and difficulties that you had to face and overcome when you were looking for and securing your work experience placements?

    Our survey suggests that the three most common problems and difficulties that graduates need to address when securing full-time employment are:

    1. Not knowing enough about the application process [36%]
    2. Intense competition for placements [29%]
    3. Not knowing how to sell myself [14%]

    Other problems and difficulties included:

    • Getting an interview for the placement
    • I’m not good at presenting
    • There are a lack of placements in the industry/job I want to work in
  3. what do you think your biggest challenges will be when you start in full-time employment?

    According to our findings, university students think that the three biggest challenges that they’ll face when they start work are:

    1. Settling in and learning about ‘the world of work’ [26%]
    2. Coping with the culture shock of going to work and dealing with ‘everyday work problems’ [16%]
    3. Finding out that this might not be my ‘ideal job’ after all [11%]

    Other challenges include:

    • Not being ‘in control’ of what I do and when I do it
    • Coping with the ‘stress of work’
    • Fear of failure and not wanting to let people down
    • Working long hours
    • Working as part of a team
    • Finding the ‘right’ job
    • Making a good impression on my new employer
    • How I’m going to cope with learning new things and ‘taking it all in’
    • How I might react if I have to work with ‘lazy’ people