1. Graduate Careers Jane Wilders, Head of Careers, Eastbourne College

2. The context Rise in the number of graduates Number of universities has doubled since 1980 Proportion of the workforce with a degree has risen Rise in A grades at A level and percentage of graduates with 1st or 2:1 Graduate underemployment and unemployment The average predicted debt on leaving university for UK students was £26,100 for those starting in 2011, rising to £53,400 for 2012 entrants.

3. Where do graduates work? 50,000 places each year for doctors, nurses, teachers and vets 25,000- 30,000 places annually on graduate development programmes at major national and international employers 75000- 100,000 direct entry places at large and small organisations 15% of graduates in 2011 went on to further study 8 % unemployed

4. How to find out where graduates work? Destinations of Leavers from Higher education (DLHE) http://www.hecsu.ac.uk/current_projects_what_do_gr aduates_do.htm http://www.hecsu.ac.uk/current_projects_what_do_gr aduates_do.htm Information on university websites Ask university for information if you can’t find it Look at employability statistics- what % of graduates were employed at the end of the course and where

5. Options The “Good All-rounders ” Many employers will accept “any degree subject” but are looking for -1 st or 2:1 degree from a respected university -good all rounders -Work experience -Strong business and personal skills - real interest in the sector or industry they’re applying to Top 100 graduate employers target their activity on “favoured” universities

6. Options The “Vocational specialists” Specific degree subject or course which prepares you for a particular career( including some employer sponsored degrees) Courses could be at any university in the country- what counts is reputation with employers Huge range of opportunities- can be harder to research Talk to professionals in the area you’re looking at

7. Other options Growing number of A level entry options- sometimes combined with sponsored study e.g banking, accountancy Apprenticeships Other training providers – e.g Quest, www.dv8sussex.com, Swiss hospitality schools….. www.dv8sussex.com Gap year- work experience, volunteering, earning, growing up! www.notgoingtouni.com

8. What can our children be doing? Research options- course details, employment data Talk to careers adviser, professionals, teachers, parents, Get work/volunteering experience- employers are looking for teamwork, communication skills, organisation skills, initiative Get involved in extra curricular activities – develop personal skills Visit universities- taster courses, summer schools, student led tours Network- family, friends, OE’s, Eastbournian society networking events

9. Useful resources Eastbourne College parents portal- careers section www.ucas.ac.uk www.prospects.ac.uk www.accessprofessions.com www.direct.gov.uk www.directions.org.uk https://www.hesa.ac.uk/sfr192 http://www.hecsu.ac.uk/current_projects_what_do_gradu ates_do.htm www.notgoingtouni.com http://www.theguardian.com/education/higher-education