A survey by a large consulting firm found that attitudes of graduates have changed significantly from last year. Now only 8% of graduates (compared to 45% last year) consider salary as one of their top three influential factors when it comes to searching for jobs. Indeed, it seems like 'making a difference' is more important for graduates in today's jobs market. This may not seem that surprising given the economic backdrop and adverse press towards certain high paid industry sectors, such as banking, but there may be a deeper reason for this move away from focusing on remuneration.
So, what type of opportunities are more graduates now considering, instead of life in the city? Well, teaching is managing to attract some bright minds, since graduates get the chance to join a good training programme and help pass on their enthusiasm for subjects onto school pupils. Also, more graduates are considering working for the government and using their skills to drive this country forward, by working in politics or economics departments for example.
However, some may argue that some of the most rewarding jobs are still the lowest paid and perhaps these will not appeal to graduates so much, with financial benefits still being a consideration. For example, the consensus is that charity work makes a real difference to communities and fundraising helps raise money for worthwhile causes. Another challenging yet rewarding job is social work, which gives the chance to help people who are struggling and put their lives back on track.
Overall, the key point is to consider a range of opportunities when searching for graduate jobs. Financial gain should not be your primary motivation, but you should still think about the long-term career progression. Of course, many graduates are genuinely interested in careers in the city, including banking and law. So if you are one of those, do not be put off by the inevitable social stigma but rather embark on a career that you think will be fulfilling and varied during the many years to come.
