Jobs

heatherleahy · 3 Feb 2010 at 16:06

Leaving uni this year but at this rate I'm only going to be able to achieve a 2:2 which won't get me into any top corporate companies. I was just wondering what you guys/gals do and if you're all happy in your positions. Money isn't everything is it

How much would you say is a good enough salary to survive comfortably in the UK i.e bills and stuff with a bit left for treating yourself?

antijoke · 3 Feb 2010 at 16:08

Depends on which area of the UK you live in as to how much you could live on comfortably.

LiamC · 3 Feb 2010 at 16:09

Depends if you're renting, buying etc

[DOD]Asprilla · 3 Feb 2010 at 16:11

Don't worry too much; I've got a 2:2 and I do very well thank you. Do universities now condition people to think that if they don't get on corporate grad scheme then they may as well just die?

Basher · 3 Feb 2010 at 16:18

It's not the end of the world. I didn't get on a corporate grad scheme and am now (2 years on) earning a very healthy salary with a team of new grads reporting to me.

Ev0 · 3 Feb 2010 at 16:23

Same, 2:2 here, not done badly out of it.

Tunney · 3 Feb 2010 at 16:26

Put a bit of effort in and you'll be fine. Make sure you apply for jobs early and don't give up.

The company I work for now would never have recruited me as a grad. If you're desperate to work for a faceless corporate then it's possible to sneak in the back door with a couple of years of experience.

heatherleahy · 3 Feb 2010 at 16:32

Wow thanks for the assurances, from what my uni mates were saying I thought I'd be stuck with no options. Obviously things won't be so bad *phew*

Dinomania · 3 Feb 2010 at 16:35

What nice mates you have!

Another Desmond here - no problems

I'm in a pretty good place and could work up should I want to - but I'm about to escape and go start a PGCE come Autumn

To be honest, maybe the 2:2 was indicative of my not-being-cut-out for electronic engineering anyway ...

Deyvy · 3 Feb 2010 at 16:40

Was like this when I left university. I think when you're at uni its comforting to know what you'll be doing, this is where the grad schemes come in.. It all planned out for you pretty much.

Not having that plan, things are a lot more open to what and how you want to do things. Which I admit is probably quite daunting.

Cookie-Monster · 3 Feb 2010 at 16:45

got a desmond, (2:2)

started on £16k in 2002, doing accountancy training
now x years on, doing good market risk management for large Oil company, with a move into trading soon. (needless to say cash is better)

its much more about who you are than how good your piece of paper is.

Skidder · 3 Feb 2010 at 16:48

I've got a 2:2 and I'm doing OK (hold on I also have an MBA - you're doomed

)

Seriously, do the best you can and just get on with it. After a couple of years your experience is much more important than your grade ever was.

Participant · 3 Feb 2010 at 17:07

Don't forget all the ultra-rich people that don't even have degrees. However anything less than a 2,1 w/ Hons is pretty laughable.

Kidding.