Graduating with a 2:2 is not career suicide

- 47% of graduate schemes are open to applicants with a 2:2 - 1st class degrees are hardly ever listed as a job requirement - Employers increasingly look for skills rather than academic achievements End Quote

(1888PressRelease) May 05, 2010 - Following an analysis of over a thousand graduate schemes, GradFutures.com has discovered that - contrary to popular belief - graduate jobs are largely accessible to graduates regardless of their academic achievement.

Almost half of schemes (47%) had a minimum degree requirement of a 2:2 or below, with just over a third (37%) having no degree requirement at all.

Many industry experts predicted that, with an ever-increasing supply of graduates entering the job market, graduate recruiters would opt only to accept applications from higher-achieving candidates. However, recruiters are defying expectations and it appears that even a 3rd class degree can open doors. Equally surprising is that first class degrees are very rarely cited as a requirement for most graduate schemes.

GradFutures' CEO Ian Sprackling says, "These findings should reassure recent graduates that, even if they've achieved lower grades than hoped, there's still a wealth of opportunities in the graduate job market. This reinforces what we've observed - that employers are interested in engaged and well-rounded individuals with strong skill sets rather than focusing strictly on academic achievements. Students need to throw themselves into extra-curricular activities, building skills which employers value and not let education get in the way of their learning."

For further information

For more information or an interview with Ian Sprackling please contact Olivia Ide at GradFutures.

T: 0800 612 6986 E: olivia.ide ( @ ) gradfutures dot com

About the study

The findings are based on an analysis of over 1000 graduate jobs listed on GradFutures.com.

About GradFutures

GradFutures.com is a leading graduate recruitment website. In addition to the most comprehensive listing of graduate schemes, internships and sandwich placements, GradFuture provides students with careers advice and access to a regularly updated graduates blog.

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