Job options available to graduates
Understanding the range of graduate options can be complex with graduate jobs, graduate schemes, internships, work placements, vacation schemes and training contracts to consider. While looking for a graduate role, you’ll come across many different terms used to describe different opportunities.
Graduate level role
The term ‘graduate level’ job is any opportunity that requires a candidate to possess a degree qualification. Some of these positions are aimed at graduates, but this isn’t always the case.
Internships and work placements
Read work experience for more information about internships and work placements. Also have a look at the success ‘tab’ for further careers resources specific to your sector on your Qualification site.
Experienced hires
Some employers actively look to hire experienced people under the term ‘experienced hires’. If you’ve got significant work experience from different jobs or have worked for a number of years in a particular industry but are now looking to change your career, this may be an option for you.
A number of companies promote this aspect as they recognise that candidates with significant work experience may have developed key skills such as project work and management and these skills can transfer into their business. Not all companies will explicitly advertise these positions as ‘experienced hires’ and opportunities will fall into the regular recruitment process.
Degree apprenticeships
Until recently the highest level of apprenticeship on offer were ‘higher apprenticeship’. Degree apprenticeships are relatively new and allows you to undertake full-time work that is paid but also the chance to study at university level.
You don't need to wait to graduate before moving into a new career
Being part-way through your studies will not stop you from moving into your new career or progressing into your current one. Here are some tips and advice on how you can approach this.
Look to progress in your existing career
- See if you can have a conversation with your manager about your career aims and gauge to see how they might support your career development. For example they may not be able to support financially for study but may offer work shadowing at your place of work.
- Ask if your workplace has a mentoring scheme – here you could be matched up with other colleagues (preferably in a role you are aspiring for). You’ll have the opportunity to learn from the mentor, ask questions and build your confidence.
- Consider applying for secondment, trainee or ‘acting up’ positions with a view to build valuable experience that can support career advancement.
Change your career
- Consider applying for ‘junior’, ‘technician’ or ‘assistant’ positions in a relevant company with a view for the role to develop your sector knowledge and practical skills. This can help you make your career change to a more suitable position as you come to the end of your studies.
- Could you reduce your hours at your current workplace and use the time to build experience in your chosen sector? This could include part-time hours in activities such as project work or voluntary work.
- If your employer hires for the roles you are interested in – approach the specific department or professionals to show your interest and commitment. You never know when future positions will be vacant and this can put you on their radar.
- Consider portfolio working. You may be able to use your different skills to work in a range of different areas and organisations. This can help you tap into a different industry and develop a track record there while still earning a steady income from your current sector.
