Well, I’ve finally done it: after four years of frustration, last minute cramming, tears (and let’s be honest, a hell of a lot of good times), I have just graduated with a 2:1 in Combined Arts from Durham University. This also included a First in my Shakespeare module, a personal achievement after my struggle with the Bard’s babble at A-level. I’ve even secured a bursary from the Journalism Diversity Fund to sponsor me through my Masters in September having impressed the panel including the editor of the Financial Times enough for them to grant me this fund.
All this success, however, means absolutely zilch when it comes to finding a summer job, and if anything, just makes you sound a bit stuck up to potential (minimum wage) employers. Now they say of course that ‘It’s grim up North’, but after speaking to fellow graduates, it seems it’s grim everywhere. Many graduates want to use the summer to earn a little money whilst deciding what to do with their futures. The majority, however, seem to plump for the dole, a route which I myself am heading towards.
Not only is this year a difficult one for graduate employment (as the BBC insists on reminding us, even gate crashing graduations in Durham to remind us happy students of the reality of a degree’s insignificance), but it would seem our success is almost detrimental to the securing of summer employment. I’ve been turned down by call centres, summer camps and jewellery stores, and the most I’ve managed to secure so far is a week chopping salad in a kitchen. Seriously, I’m not even allowed near the till.
I knew before I began my degree that it wouldn’t necessarily land me an amazing job, head and shoulders above others who had not pursued higher education, but I naively thought it might prevent me from scrubbing ovens for the summer. In reality however, we are no different than the spotty 16 year olds looking to earn some cash to buy cider to drink in the park at the weekend. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that these lower paid, lower educated candidates are more sought after in the summer job department than someone who has spent four years and I can’t imagine how much money to get no further when it comes to summer employment.
All this success, however, means absolutely zilch when it comes to finding a summer job, and if anything, just makes you sound a bit stuck up to potential (minimum wage) employers. Now they say of course that ‘It’s grim up North’, but after speaking to fellow graduates, it seems it’s grim everywhere. Many graduates want to use the summer to earn a little money whilst deciding what to do with their futures. The majority, however, seem to plump for the dole, a route which I myself am heading towards.
Not only is this year a difficult one for graduate employment (as the BBC insists on reminding us, even gate crashing graduations in Durham to remind us happy students of the reality of a degree’s insignificance), but it would seem our success is almost detrimental to the securing of summer employment. I’ve been turned down by call centres, summer camps and jewellery stores, and the most I’ve managed to secure so far is a week chopping salad in a kitchen. Seriously, I’m not even allowed near the till.
I knew before I began my degree that it wouldn’t necessarily land me an amazing job, head and shoulders above others who had not pursued higher education, but I naively thought it might prevent me from scrubbing ovens for the summer. In reality however, we are no different than the spotty 16 year olds looking to earn some cash to buy cider to drink in the park at the weekend. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that these lower paid, lower educated candidates are more sought after in the summer job department than someone who has spent four years and I can’t imagine how much money to get no further when it comes to summer employment.
