Careers Graduates can achieve with any degree
Choosing a graduate job is rarely a simple decision. However you might be pleased to know your options aren’t limited by your degree subject – except very specialist ones such as medicine. With so many options to choose from it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. Here are some ideas:
Human Resources
Working in Human Resources (HR) means you are responsible for helping with employee related issues such as recruitment, payroll, employment policies and benefits. Also HR act as a middleman between employees and Managers to discuss any employment problems and also clarify information about sick pay, employment policy and maternity/paternity leave. The good news is you don’t need a degree in HR to break into the HR field.
Accountancy
A career in accountancy requires strong numeracy skills and an analytical mind. That makes a maths degree or similar ideal for a career in this field but any degree is generally accepted by the top firms. To become a qualified Accountant you’ll have to complete a range of professional accounting exams and sometimes your employer will help pay for these and also provide you with study leave.
Marketing and Advertising
The advertising industry is known for being extremely competitive – but what industry isn’t? Don’t let that put you off. If you are creative, committed and have a strong degree there is no reason why you shouldn’t succeed in getting a job in this area. There are many different types of marketing and advertising jobs. Whether you want to be a Copywriter, a Marketing Executive, a Media Planner or a Social Media Manager you can get a job if you try hard.
Investment Banking
As an Investment Banker your job will be to provide a range of financial services to Companies, government institutions and individuals. Investment Bankers need strong numerical and analytical skills and be able to work under pressure. Again this industry is very competitive because it is very highly paid. But if you have a good degree ideally in a finance subject of any kind it’s worth applying for a role in this sector.
Management Consultancy
Management Consultants advise employers how to implement strategic decisions. A client may be a Company, the government or a public sector organisation. For this career you’ll need to be organised, detail orientated and have strong communication skills, the degree subject is not really that important. Management Consultants are high earners so it can be a hard career to get into but once you have the world will be your oyster.
Teaching
If you choose to be a Teacher you will need to do a post-graduate Teacher Training course. To become a Teacher you need to be confident, patient, have strong communication skills, be organised and creative. Teaching can provide a high level of job satisfaction and of course you get excellent holiday benefits. Whatever your degree you could definitely make teaching your career.
Public Relations
Working in Public Relations is all about managing a client’s reputation. Competencies for a career in PR include exceptional relationship building skills, strong written and verbal communication skills and an organised brain. You don’t necessary need a degree in PR to break into this field, but something like marketing or business communication could help. It’s definitely worth a try as this is a really exciting field to get into.
Hospitality or Travel
Hospitality and travel are very interesting areas to work in. The skills required to succeed in these industries are communication and possibly an additional language. Jobs like trainee Hotel Management, Air Stewards and Overseas Representatives are good options and once you get your foot in the door you can build yourself an excellent career. Any degree at all will get you a job in this sector.
Sales
A career in sales involves – you guessed it – selling. Almost all Companies require salespeople to persuade clients to purchase the goods and services they provide. You will also be required to negotiate prices and manage client relationships. To be a sales person you’ll need to be confident and enthusiastic, as well as being great at networking. No matter what your degree is if you have the gift of the gab you’ll get a job in this area and could earn a fortune.
Supply Chain and Logistics
If you have a job in the supply chain you will be responsible for ensuring there is enough stock available to meet customer demand. Logistics mean you will be responsible for arranging transportation and ensuring goods are delivered safely to clients. The retail sector in particular recruit graduates for these type of positions, any degree will do but skills needed are communication and the ability to work under pressure.
As a graduate you have choices and it really is important that you make the right choice as this will determine your future career. The job you go into may not be that which you had in mind when you chose your degree subject but you are now older and wiser so use this experience to choose the right road for you.
Angela Burton