Government help to graduates
Students graduating this summer may receive Government help to get them into work after completing their studies.
A three month internship is being considered by Universities Secretary John Durham which already has Barclays and Microsoft agreeing to hire students for them to gain experience.
Milkround.com, a website promoting job opportunities for graduate students, has backed the new scheme.
Declan Maloney, a marketing projects assistant at Milkround, said:
"Internships are an excellent way for somebody to get their foot in the door of a company and network to help progress their careers further."
Some have voiced their feelings on how the idea will be run if it is introduced.
"The main disadvantage is companies reducing undergraduate opportunities to cater for graduates. That is not solving any problems, just ensuring the same number of students graduate without enough work experience," said Oliver Sidwell, co-founder of the Rate My Placement website.
Toheed Ahmed, aged 22, a third year Accounting student at Sheffield Hallam University, said:
"The internship is a great opportunity as it allows student graduates an insight into the life of a professional employee."
Results of a survey by The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) piled more misery on students aspiring to get into full time employment after three years of higher education.
Founded in 1968, AGR has strived to support employers in graduate recruitment. Its 2009 survey concluded that for the first time since 2003, graduate employment had fallen and would continue to fall 5.4% this year.
Annette Baxter, a careers advisor at Sheffield Hallam University admitted students was worried about the current recruiting situation.
She said: "You can sit back and don't bother trying and the same end result, you don't get a job because you don't think you will get a job. Students should get themselves some good experience and develop their skills also."
The Student Zone is written for Sheffield students by Sheffield students. We welcome contributions on all suitable topics. Email your articles to staronline@sheffieldnewspapers.co.uk and mark the subject field 'students' or call digital community editor Nancy Fielder on 0114 2767676 ext 3524 for more information.
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Thursday 23 February 2012
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