Case study: ‘At the moment it’s my lack of experience holding me back’

Published on 27/07/2012 03:59

JESSICA Harris is among the growing number of graduates being referred to as the “underemployed”.

The 23-year-old, who graduated with a degree in media studies from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen last year, is currently working as a hotel receptionist and living with her parents in Cumnock, East Ayrshire, after struggling to find work in magazine journalism.

She agreed with the Citizens Advice Scotland report that universities could do more to help graduates find work.

“Once you have left and gone home there’s not many options,” she said. “I have been to recruitment days and there’s people there from clothes shops. I didn’t go to university and get an honours degree to work in a clothes shop.

“At the moment, it’s my lack of experience that’s holding me back, but it’s difficult to get experience. I have wondered if I did the right thing going to university. I could have been in a much better position now if I had just got a job straight from school.

“It might not have been much more than a stable job, but at least I would have some money behind me, rather than struggling along.

“By going to university I just got myself in more debt. A lot of my friends are in the same position.”

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