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The respondent to this survey is Rosemary who is from a White British background.
| What qualifications did you hold prior to starting university? | GCSE and A Level Qualifications (32 points) |
| What was the name of your course? | Business Studies (inc. HR Mngmnt, Marketing or Operations Mngmnt) BA (Honours) |
| While at university have you worked part-time? | Yes |
| While at university have you performed any voluntary work? | Yes |
| While at university have you undertake any work experience? | Yes |
| Please give details of your experience? | Worked part-time in the University admissions department and in a student bar. Did voluntary work for the University rowing club and for RAG student society. Undertook work experience during a 6 month leave of Absence from University when I decided to change my course mid way through my second year. |
| How useful did you find this work experience when it came to find a job after graduating? | It was useful to be able to talk about my industry experience, I was also able to use it as a benchmark when searching for jobs. By undertaking the work experience I was able to be more specific about what type of job I wanted to look for upon graduation. |
| What is your status? | In full or part time employment |
| What is the name of the organisation you are currently working for? | Grant Thornton |
| What is your job title? | Audit Junior |
| What responsibilities do you hold? | I am due to start this job in September so I am unable to answer this question at present. |
| What do you enjoy the most about this job? | I am due to start this job in September so I am unable to answer this question at present. |
| What do you enjoy the least? | I am due to start this job in September so I am unable to answer this question at present. |
| What was involved in the recruitment process for this job? | An online application form followed by numerical and verbal reasoning tests and a HR interview. Upon successful completion of the above I was invited to the office to attend an interview with a Manager and with a Senior Partner of the firm which was followed by an office tour and chat with staff to see if the culture suited me and vice versa. |
| Do you feel you have a career plan? | Yes |
| If so, how does your current situation fit into this plan? | My job is a training contract upon completion of which I will obtain my professional accountancy status. My job therefore fits well with my career plan to be a professionally qualified accountant in the financial services industry. |
| When did you start thinking about what you wanted to do after graduation? Thinking back did you leave enough time for this? | I started thinking seriously about what I wanted to do in my final term - I knew that I wanted to take some time out before entering full time employment so I felt I left enough time for this. It also meant that I could concentrate on passing my University Finals without having the stress of job applications to deal with at the same time. |
| Did you experience any difficulties when it came to finding work after graduation? If yes, please describe some of the problems you faced? | No, I knew what I wanted to do and so did my research about what firms offered what I was interested in and pursued employment with them - luckily this process was successful for me. |
| What do you wish you had known before you started applying for jobs? | That graduate employment is not only limited to the UK - I grew up overseas and wish that I had considered options abroad more seriously when applying for jobs. |
| What advice would you give to someone applying for jobs now? | Consider where you want to be based as well as what you want to do - look beyond the standard paths and you might find something that you really feel passionately about. If it is financially feasible consider taking some time out post-degree to apply for jobs and perhaps go travelling for a bit before you jump on the career ladder! |
| Would you have done anything differently while at university to prepare for your career? Please give details. | I was involved heavily in a University Sports team and a fund raising society as well as in department activities therefore I feel that this put me in good standing when applying for jobs post-graduation - It shows you are more than a brain. |
| How do you feel your degree has prepared you for today's labour market? | It is one of many stepping stones to get to where I want to be - the next stepping stone for me is obtaining my professional qualification with an accountancy firm. |
| What impact did your course have on your career aspirations? | Affirmed job choice |
| Did you make use of the careers service at university? | Yes |
| If yes, please describe how you used the careers service. | To learn about the job application process and to learn about different companies as well as the other (non employment related) opportunities available post-qualification. |
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