University is a fantastic opportunity to make lifelong friends, build networking skills and learn to live independently. Amidst all the fun and games, the primary importance of your degree can become a bit blurred. Your degree may not automatically open doors for you into the work place, however it is important not to lose sight of the fact that you are shelling out for your degree in order to make yourself more employable. If you have chosen to go to university purely to dance all night and sleep all day, you may find yourself better suited to life as a night club promoter.<br/><br/>Employers will not be automatically bowled over by the first or 2:1 you have stuck proudly at the top of you CV. They want to see what skills and disciplines your degree has instilled within you that will make you of benefit to their institution. If all you have gleaned from your three or four years at university is a numerical qualification, you are going to struggle to make a big splash in the jobs market. Communication, textual analysis and enhanced social and cultural awareness are some examples of ways in which the university experience can be beneficial to your employability. Employers often ask at interview for examples of times you have worked well in a team - successful team based projects completed during your time at university will be music to their ears. If asked about communication skills, think back to presentations you have given or even high marks you may have achieved in speaking assessments. If you show that during your time at university you felt real passion and dedication to your subject, and hence performed well in your university evaluations, employers will be impressed by your drive and energy.<br/><br/>It will also be beneficial when applying for jobs to reflect upon what inspired you outside of your subject area during your time at university. This may be an open unit you took in another subject, or it may take the form of extra curricular activities you engaged with. Employers want to see people who went the extra mile with their time at university, and did not simply scrape a 2:1 with minimal work and maximum playtime. They want to take on applicants they can trust will have good time management skills and be willing to give their all to the business, and will not waste the days nursing a hangover and watching funny cat videos on You Tube.
