If you’ve finished university and you’re looking for a job, you might be forgiven for feeling a trifle glum. After all, we face the highest levels of youth unemployment in a generation
But as ever with these situations, it’s a question of finding the chinks of light amid the leaden clouds. And the opportunities definitely exist – especially, it seems, for those studying traditional subjects like engineering.
Science and engineering subjects tend to be harder work at university than arts subjects. But the rewards are there for those willing to persist.
So-called “glamorous” jobs in media, fashion and PR have been hit hard by the recession, with long unpaid internships and sluggish growth in pay. With the current lull in consumer spending, there’s a new emphasis on manufacturing and industry, and engineers are in demand.
Sir John Parker, chairman of Anglo American mining group, reckons that for the UK to rebalance its economy towards industry, 10,000 more university-qualified engineers will be needed each and every year.
So it’s heartening that British students are turning away from easy options like media studies which don’t impress employers and opting for traditional “hard” subjects like maths and sciences http://ow.ly/6rFmz. It’ll pay off for them in the long run.
Those still in education who are wondering about their options should definitely consider maths, science and engineering. And it won’t mean boxing yourself in forever. These subjects are widely respected for their academic rigour by employers outside industry, and could lead to a challenging career in business, finance or the Civil Service.
Posted by Simon Broomer Managing Director & Founder at CareerBalance Ltd.
