Employment After Higher Education 25 Does the subject of your degree affect your employment chances? Surveys of what graduates do show considerable variation in employment rates for different subject areas. Courses that include vocational training usually enable graduates to take up specific occupations immediately after completing their studies. Many 2009 higher education entrants chose subjects with a proven employment track record, such as engineering, law and medicine. However, for many students, a higher education qualification is simply the start of gaining professional recognition. Graduates often need to take a postgraduate course to enter professions such as social work, law, teaching and accountancy. Some may start in a job and gain professional status through experience in the workplace combined with part- time study. Key points . Well over half of graduate vacancies are open to degree holders in any subject. . Not all graduates enter the labour market at graduate level. . The average starting salary for new graduates entering full- time employment in 2009 was around £ 19,000. . The average starting salary for new graduates with leading employers, entering graduate- level jobs in 2009 was approximately £ 25,000. . Many graduate vacancies with leading employers are in London where salaries offered tend to be higher than in other UK regions. . Offering the right combination of skills, personal qualities and work experience can be as important as higher education qualifications. . Skills acquired through involvement in clubs, societies, committees, voluntary activities, part- time and vacation employment can be crucial when competing for jobs. . The employment rate for graduates is consistently higher than for non- graduates. . Many graduates find work with small or medium sized companies. Make use of the latest student employability profiles ( SEPS) at www. ucas. com/ seps to identify the employability skills that can be developed through your intended HE subject( s). For further information on how higher education can benefit you, check out the Aimhigher and Prospects websites at www. aimhigher. ac. uk and www. prospects. ac. uk

Many students opt to take a year out between advanced level courses and higher education. Deferred entry is increasingly accepted by universities and colleges, but needs careful planning! Paid or voluntary work - at home or overseas - is good preparation for your future. You could use the time to gain useful qualifications such as Teaching English as a Foreign Language ( TEFL), or you could try to get temporary work in your chosen career area, to see if it really suits you. Travel abroad, funded by casual work, can improve your language skills. Try to make the year self- supporting financially, so that you don't run up debts on your own or others' behalf. You could even aim to be in profit at the end of the year, so that you have some cash reserves with which to start student life. Your local Connexions Service or Jobcentre Plus may be able to help you find temporary paid work. Many voluntary organisations provide accommodation and pocket money; others expect you to pay. If travelling far afield, you may have to think in terms of fund raising or sponsorship to cover your fare. Below is a selection of useful addresses for time- out opportunities - please send a stamped, self- addressed envelope when writing to request information. The publications listed afterwards contain lots more ideas and contact details. Time Out Opportunities in this country There are a range of schemes running at home; listed here are just a few. 26 The Year in Industry www. yini. org. uk This scheme offers young people the chance to spend a year in industry prior to entering higher education. Most placements are in science, engineering, technology or business, but other opportunities are also available. Participants are paid by the company involved - currently between £ 9,000 and £ 14,000 p/ a - and are given training and support by industrial tutors, which includes help with computing and modern languages. Contacts: South West Regional Office, Tamar Science Park, 1 Davy Road, Derriford, Plymouth PL6 8BX. Telephone 01752 762111 National Office, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ. Telephone 02380 597061 BTCV www2. btcv. org. uk Sedum House, Mallard Way, Potteric Carr, Doncaster DN4 8DB Telephone 01302 388883 Volunteering projects for young people under 25. Cambridge ESOL www. cambridgeesol. org/ exams/ teaching- awards University of Cambridge, ESOL Helpdesk, 1 Hills Road, Cambridge CB1 2EU Telephone 01223 553997 For information on courses to teach the English language. Council for British Archaeology www. britarch. ac. uk St Marys House, 66 Bootham, York YO30 7BZ Telephone 01904 671417 Publishes British Archaeology ( annual subscription), giving details of digs which may require helpers. CSV www. csv. org. uk 237 Pentonville Road, London N1 9NJ Telephone 020 7278 6601 Offers 4- 12 months away from home but in the UK, working with people who are elderly, disabled, homeless, mentally ill, have learning difficulties, children in care, etc. Accommodation, food, travel expenses and pocket money offered. vinspired www. vinspired. com Contact hotline 0800 089 9000 or text ' v' to 80010 Various projects are available for young people aged 16- 25. See website for more information on local projects. The National Trust www. nationaltrust. org. uk/ volunteering The National Trust Central Volunteering Team, Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2NA Telephone 01793 817632 Offers 21 hours or more a week for over 18s in different aspects of the work of the National Trust for periods ranging from 3 months to a year. Volunteering England www. volunteering. org. uk Regents Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL Telephone 0845 305 6979 Can put you in touch with local organisations.